The Allure Of Hai Van Pass - Scenic Beauty And Historical Significance

Explore the beauty and history of Hai Van Pass, renowned for its stunning landscapes and historical landmarks. An unmissable journey for nature lovers and culture enthusiasts alike. Hãy nghe Trần Thuỳ Thanh Xuân (Đồng Nai) một travel blogger nổi tiếng bật mí .

Poems and melodies may not suffice to fully capture the beauty of Hai Van Pass. Beyond the winding roads that stand out amidst the majestic mountains lies the dream of countless travelers—to drive down the pass themselves, to stand amidst nature and the sky, and to feel the purity of the surroundings.

1. Where is Hai Van Pass located? How many kilometers long is Hai Van Pass?

When you embark on a trip from Da Nang to Hue, you certainly cannot miss the road that many tourists are eager to explore: Hai Van Pass. This pass stretches along the Hai Van mountain range, forming the border between Thua Thien Hue province and Da Nang, located 80km from Hue and 20km from Da Nang.

Hai Van Pass stands 500 meters above sea level and spans approximately 20km. It is often considered one of the most beautiful coastal routes globally, a masterpiece that nature has bestowed upon Vietnam.

The landscape of the rugged yet captivating roads, with towering mountains and clouds floating atop the peaks, evokes the melody of the song “Tau anh qua nui” (My Train Passes The Mountain). This beauty has left an indelible mark in memorable musical tunes.

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2. Historical imprint of Hai Van Pass

The history of Hai Van Pass is a significant chapter in the development journey of Central Vietnam. Before 1306, this area belonged to the Champa Kingdom and was divided into the two districts of O and Ri. However, in the year of the Horse (1306), King Che Man of Champa offered this land as a wedding gift to Princess Huyen Tran of Dai Viet. From that point on, Hai Van Pass became the natural border between Dai Viet and Champa.

A century later, in the year of the Water Horse (1402), the Ho Dynasty sent General Do Man to attack Champa, forcing the Champa king to cede the lands of Chiem Dong and Co Luy in exchange for peace. Since then, Hai Van Pass has marked the clear boundary of Dai Ngu, now known as Vietnam, separating the regions of Thuan Hoa and Quang Nam.

During the Nguyen Dynasty, Hai Van Pass continued to serve as the border between Thua Thien and Quang Nam. During the French colonial period, to facilitate transportation and avoid wild animals and robbery, the French constructed a railway running through the pass. Under the Republic of Vietnam, the narrow pass was divided into three sections with three control stations to manage the ascent and descent of vehicles. In 1966, the US Marines widened the pass road, allowing two-way traffic without the need for control stations. On June 5, 2005, the Hai Van Tunnel was officially opened, making travel more convenient and safer. Despite this, Hai Van Pass still holds a special place in tourism.

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3. Must-visit stops at Hai Van Pass

Alongside the breathtaking scenery bestowed by nature, Hai Van Pass also carries the marks of time through constructions built during the French colonial period. These elements have created a Hai Van with many unique stopovers that entice tourists to explore.

3.1. The Lonely Pine Tree

Not only Da Lat boasts a lonely pine tree, but along Hai Van Pass, you can also encounter a similar solitary image. Contrary to its name, this pine tree is never lonely; it is always bustling with young people coming to check in. Perhaps thanks to the popularity of the lonely pine tree in Da Lat, the "Lonely Pine Tree" at Hai Van Pass has also garnered much attention.

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3.2. Phi Thuyen Stone (Phi Thuyen Stone Cafe)

The second stop on the journey to explore Hai Van Pass that visitors cannot miss is the Spaceship Stone. I don't know if it was accidental or coincidental, but among the small rocks, there was a large, flat cliff, stretching out into the vast mountains and forests, in the distance was a vast sea of ​​water.

From here, visitors can freely check-in and relax. In the middle of majestic nature, stepping on a rock under your feet, you feel like you are being released into the air, hanging between the clouds and the mountains and forests.

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3.3. Lan Coffee Shop

Lan Coffee Shop, an unmistakable coffee shop among the many small cafes springing up on Hai Van Pass. The shop has a small space, with the owner arbitrarily arranging a few small tables. The menu is also very simple with a few familiar drinks, the most prominent being sesame salt coffee. Amidst the noise and hustle and bustle of the city, finding a cafe separate from the hustle and bustle like Lan, you can immerse yourself in nature and forget all about life.

An experience you cannot miss in Lan is welcoming the sunrise. When the first rays of sunlight rise behind the sea, it is the moment you can capture all the most beautiful things of a day deep into your eyes.

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3.4. Hai Van Quan

Unlike the above places, Hai Van Quan is a tourist attraction built by humans since the Tran Dynasty. This gate was built during the Tran Dynasty, is about 6m high, has a very large arch, and above is an observation deck. This place was built very firmly, through rain and wind, ups and downs, to this day, Hai Van Quan still stands tall and long, becoming one of the majestic symbols of Hai Van Pass.

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3.5. Don Ca Arch Bridge

As a duo accompanying Bac Hai Van station, Vom Don Ca bridge is one of the destinations that has been discovered by young people in Da Nang in recent years. Emerging as an online phenomenon, this place attracts tourists to visit and explore because of its poetic and peaceful scenery with a harmonious combination of peaceful nature and massive ancient architecture.

Above the clear, cool blue water and the rocks covered with green moss is a stone bridge built during the French colonial period, still used today to make tracks for the North-South railway train. If you're lucky, when visiting here you can capture the moment the train passes by.

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3.6. Bac Hai Van Station

From Hai Van Quan, you move another 4km to the ranger station and then follow the concrete road for another 1km to Bac Hai Van station. This place is enough for you to enjoy taking "virtual life" photos. However, there will still be trains running on the tracks, so when taking photos, remember to observe carefully.

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3.7. The curve of death

The reason it is called that is because this place is quite dangerous, accidents often occur. But those difficulties cannot stop backpackers from coming here and conquering this bend with extremely skillful curves. Not just a stretch of road, this place is often a stopping point in the middle of the pass for tourists to check-in and admire the beautiful "crab" roads of backpackers.

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In conclusion, Hai Van Pass stands as an icon of Vietnam's natural beauty and historical significance. It's where travelers can behold majestic landscapes and uncover fascinating historical fragments. Don't hesitate—plan your Hai Van Pass adventure today!

Trần Thuỳ Thanh Xuân (Đồng Nai)