A Complete Guide To The Hai Van Pass: Route, Rental & Motorbike Tours

In a 2008 episode of Top Gear, host Jeremy Clarkson described the Hai Van Pass motorbike tour “a deserted ribbon of perfection”. We couldn’t agree more as a ride through the Hai Van Pass is simply a must. It is one of the most quintessential roads in Vietnam, weaving through breathtaking mountains overlooking a stunning coastline.  

Located half an hour outside of Da Nang and an hour and a quarter from Hoi An, we think driving the 21 kilometres long Hai Van Pass is essential, whether you are spending time in Hoi An, Da Nang, or Hue.

Hidden’s put together information on Hai Van Pass motorbike tour and hires.  Along with the history of the pass, and a guide to the best places to stop along the way.

What is The Hai Van Pass?

The Hai Van Pass and the spur of the Truong Son (Annamite) mountain range, which it traverses, has played a large part in the history of Vietnam. The road itself is 21 kilometres long with inclines of up to 11 degrees at some points.  It reaches a peak of 496 metres.

The beauty of the landscape on show while driving over the pass cannot be understated. The road snakes its way up through the steep hills, surrounded by lush tropical jungle. It’s adorned with views out over the ocean and white sand beaches. From the southern side, the whole curve of Da Nang is visible. Then from the north sparkling Lang Co Beach is stunning.

Geographically, the range of mountains split Vietnam into its southern and northern climates. The range protects Da Nang from the formidable “Chinese Winds”. They blow in from the northwest and can make for significant differences in climate. During the winter months (November-March) the northern side can be very cold and wet.  However, on the southern side, it remains warm and dry. Check out our full article here on the weather in this area to help plan your trip.

The History of the Hai Van Pass

The mountains also made for a significant geopolitical boundary, separating the Champa and Dai Viet Kingdoms for centuries. The steep, unforgiving mountains were a tough obstacle to overcome in any conquest. The Hai Van Pass was also a crucial land link between the cities of Hue and Da Nang during the American War. The top of the pass has had fortifications to stop unauthorised passage since the Dai Viet Kingdom.

Emperor Minh Mang’s Brick Gate

Emperor Minh Mang built the imposing brick gate next to the road in the 19th Century. On one side of the gate, “The most grandiose gateway in the world” is inscribed. Surrounding the gateway are battle-scarred bunkers which were initially built by the French during the First Indochina War (called the French war by Vietnamese) and later used by American forces during the American War. Keep an eye out for the bullet holes on some of the bunkers. Now, the bunkers are empty, and all that the pass separates is the provinces of Quang Nam and Thua Thien–Hue.

Before the construction of the six-kilometre-long Hai Van tunnel in 2005, the Hai Van Pass was a major bottleneck for traffic going from Hanoi to Saigon. The pass used to be infamous for its high death toll, but now with far less traffic, the road is much safer, if no less steep. Now, the Hai Van Pass is used mainly by tour buses, motorbike, and oil tankers which aren’t allowed in the tunnel. The country’s main train line also goes around and through the mountain range but at a lower elevation than the road. The views from the train are equally good so make sure that you are awake when you pass through.

Best Time To Visit The Hai Van Pass

The best time to ride the pass is later in the dry season towards September. By this point, the sun is still shining, but the heat is not so overwhelming as it can be earlier in the season. That being said, the pass is a great ride any time of the year, but extra caution needs to be taken when it’s wet. Because of the nature of the pass, sometimes the top can become shrouded in mist, blocking the views. However, it usually only covers the very top section, and there are still great views to be had on either side. Plus the mist gives it a great atmosphere, and with the lush jungle, it can feel like you’re riding into Jurassic Park.

When riding the Hai Van Pass, make sure that you have the essentials with you: Sunscreen, long-sleeved tops, and long pants are useful for minimising that bikers tan line. During the cooler months, a warmer and waterproof layer is also recommended because it can get quite cold on the top of the pass. It’s a good idea to have some water with you but not as essential as you can’t ride for long without seeing somewhere that sells it.

Riding Solo ‒ What You Need to Know

One of the most popular ways to see the Hai Van Pass is to rent a motorbike and take a tour of it, even going all the way to Hue. The freedom to stop where you want and make detours to wherever you like are the main reasons to ride the Hai Van Pass yourself. We recommend that you have motorbike riding experience before attempting the pass, mainly if you will be riding with a passenger as some of the corners are very tight.

From Hoi An it takes about an hour and a half tour to get to the start of the Hai Van Pass and to get from one side of the pass to the other only takes about 45 minutes on a good motorbike. We recommend you take your time and allow at least an hour and a half for stops and photos.

Renting a Motorbike

There are many places in Hoi An where you can hire motorbikes. What company you choose to go with will depend on how far you plan to go. If you want to go all the way to Hue, then you will want a more comfortable bike and luggage transfer. Otherwise, a one-day rental will be excellent.

Hidden Hint: To make your ride up the hill more enjoyable, be sure to hire a bike with a decent sized engine. Riding up the pass going the same speed as the big trucks is no fun.

The prices for daily rentals at local shops in Hoi An start at 80,000 VND (3.50 USD) and 160,000 VND (7 USD) at the bigger companies. Luggage transfer is 40,000 VND (1.70 USD) per day. We have written about the process of renting a motorbike in Vietnam with Style Motorbikes, in our article about driving from Hue to Hoi An.   We have also collated a list of the most reliable motorbike rental shops in Hoi An and written an introduction to motorbike rental in Vietnam – both excellent reading material before tackling this journey!

Hai Van Pass Route

Directions from Hoi An to the Hai Van Pass

Getting to the start of the Hai Van Pass from Hoi An is a relatively simple exercise in staying next to the beach until you get to the bottom of the hills. The only slightly more complicated part is getting through Da Nang. The route we recommend takes a few minutes longer than the most direct route but is much more enjoyable and more comfortable to follow as it avoids going straight through the centre of Da Nang. Click here to open the directions in Google Maps.

From Hoi An, drive up the main road (Hai Ba Trung) towards An Bang Beach and then turn left at the last set of traffic lights. Stay on the coast road for the next 20 kilometres until you come to a large roundabout. Turn left here and continue straight through the next two roundabouts until you have crossed over the Dragon Bridge.

Take the first right turn at the other end of the bridge to stay on the road next to the river. Continue on this road for two kilometres and stay left at the fork in the road. Then go straight through the roundabout. At the end of the road, turn left and stay on the road next to the coast.  It will swing to the left and connect to the main road. At the main road turn right and stay on this road which takes you to the start of the pass road.

The Best Viewing Stops on the Hai Van Pass

The main reason to ride the Hai Van Pass is for the beautiful views.  But there are also some great spots to stop and relax. Here are our top picks for photo opportunities and other activities.

Hidden Hint: Make sure to take a towel or similar with you to cover the motorbike seat when you stop to take photos. It only takes a minute or two before the sun heats the seat, enough to make it painful to get back on.

The Old French Bunker

The main viewing point is at the old French bunker at the very top of the Hai Van Pass. There are some restaurants up here, and it’s where all the tour buses stop so expect to see a lot of tourists. You can get some great views from here looking both north and south.

There is nothing to stop you from pulling over at any point you think warrants a photo. Just be sure that you are well out of the way of traffic and keep your wits about you as the trucks are very big and sometimes come very close. The best places on the road to stop are at the sharp corners and hairpin bends which give you unimpeded views.  In particular the one here, which is the last big corner before the summit.

On the other side, a great view out to the ocean can be found here.  One of the best spots is here, just before you cross the train track at the bottom of the pass. From this point, you look out across the water to Lang Co where you can see the beach, the town, and the new bridge leading into the Hai Van Tunnel. This is also the same spot where the hosts stopped during the 2008 Top Gear episode.

Food and Drinks

We recommend taking a bottle of water and a banh mi with you.  This way you can stop and have a snack on your way up the pass. But there are also places to buy food along the way. At the top of the pass, there are a few different coffee shops which sell snacks, cold drinks, and some basic meals. Expect prices here to be a bit higher than down at sea level.

If you’re after somewhere with more options and better pricing, then it’s best to go to the restaurants on either side of the Hai Van Pass. On the south side of the pass, you can stop at one of the many restaurants in or on the edges of Da Nang. While on the north side there are some delicious seafood restaurants in the small town of Lang Co.

Hidden Hint: Be Than Restaurant in Lang Co is one of the best seafood restaurants in the area. The food is great and reasonably priced food served fresh in a wonderful setting which overlooks the lagoon. It’s well worth a stop here if you’re passing through.

Optional Extras

The Hai Van Pass is undoubtedly the star of any road trip that passes through it, but that doesn’t mean that there is nothing else worth seeing. These are some great detours on both sides of the pass that are worth your time visiting.

Off the Beaten Track

If you want to add some extra action on your motorbike tour to your Hai Van Pass trip, you should consider going off the beaten track. Starting here, at the last hairpin bend before the summit, is a very small winding road which is just a dirt track at some points. It goes around the mountain below the crowded main viewpoint and offers some great views without the tourists. It is a very adventurous track and should only be attempted by experienced riders with an appropriate motorbike. The track reconnects with the main road on the other side of the pass and adds just over an hour to the trip.

Son Tra Peninsula

The Son Tra Peninsula is an easy addition to a trip over the Hai Van Pass and offers comparable views without all the other tourists. It’s a great ride around the lush, forested hills and the steep road (18% at some points) and all its curves make for an enjoyable ride. The peninsula is also home to the Linh Ung Pagoda which has the massive statue of Lady Buddha standing a whopping 67 metres high which can be seen from much of Da Nang. This and the viewpoint at the top of the hill make the Son Tra Peninsula a great addition to any trip near Da Nang.

To get there, simply stay on the main road right next to the beach from Hoi An and you will end up there. Do the same if you are coming from the pass. Stay on the road closest to the beach until you reach the peninsula. Riding the loop, including stopping at the lookout, only takes just over an hour and will only cost you 2,000 VND (0.10c USD) to park at the summit. Be sure to bring your camera.

Hidden Hint: Some of the sections of road are very steep and can be more challenging for inexperienced riders. If you are a confident rider and want to go up all the steep sections, then make the loop clockwise. If you are less confident, then make the loop counter-clockwise to make it easier.

Lang Co Beach

On the north side of the pass is the small fishing town of Lang Co.  It is bisected by both a river and the main highway. The town has some great seafood restaurants at very reasonable prices, and it also has some lovely beach. Turn left at this petrol station after crossing the river, and the road will take you straight to, what is usually a deserted beach.

There are a few restaurants here which will try to get you to park in their spot.  But there’s nothing to stop you pulling up pretty much anywhere. The sun in the middle of the day is scorching, and there is minimal shade, so we recommend timing it for the morning or afternoon. Be careful if you do go swimming because the waves here can be quite powerful sometimes.

Elephant Springs (Suoi Voi)

Once over the pass if you are willing to drive another 15 kilometres, we highly recommend you go to Elephant Springs. Here, you find a riverbed with sets of dammed up pools where you can bathe in crystal clear water. Locals have built small platform-like huts on the riverside which offer shade and beer. Therefore making it the ideal location to spend the hot hours of the day. Adding this option to your Hai Van Pass adventure turns it into a real day trip.  Giving you the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation.

The turnoff to Elephant Springs is not signposted and can be quite hard to find.  It requires doing a u-turn around the barrier to go down a small side street of the main highway. The best way to do this is to use Google maps or maps.me for directions. Click here for the location. To get there, you will pass through a ticket booth on the road. It costs 15,000 VND (0.65c USD) per person to get through.  2,000 VND (0.10c USD) per motorbike to go through. Once on the other side keep going up the road continuing to the carpark at the end.

Once you arrive at the entrance, you will be greeted and lead to one of the poolside huts. You have to use one of these huts to get into the pools, and they do charge for them. Prices range from 25,000 VND (1 USD) 100,000 VND (4.30 USD). Make sure to bargain and agree on a price before you swim to avoid any surprises. Food and drink are also available but can be quite pricey.

Directions from Hoi An to Hue via the Hai Van Pass

A popular trip to make is to go from Hoi An to Hue by the Hai Van Pass motorbike tour. The route is so popular because it is a fun ride over the pass.  It takes in some beautiful scenery, and can quickly be done in a day, including stops to relax and cool down.

The trip can be made as a one-way trip.  But you can easily stay a night or two and come back the same way. Alternatively, you could turn the trip into a multi-day motorbike adventure. So you ride a loop going from Hoi An to Prao, then on to Hue before coming back over the Hai Van Pass. A more in-depth description of this route can be found here. Whatever option you choose, you’ll need to hire a motorbike for the trip. (Read the earlier section on hiring a motorbike for one-way and multi-day options.)

The Other Side of the Pass

Once you get to the other side of the Hai Van Pass, there are two main routes to get to Hue. The fastest way is to stay on the main highway all the way to Hue. This takes about three and a half hours from Hoi An. Our preference is to stay on the road next to the coast which splits off after Lang Co. This takes you through smaller towns.  There is nothing to stop you making as many detours as you like to some of the fantastic beaches. This way takes about four and a half hours. But is well worth the extra time. Click here for the Google Maps directions.

Hidden Hint: Motorbikes are not allowed to ride through the Hai Van Tunnel. But you can to take the shuttle service which runs around the clock. It costs 30,000 VND (1.30 USD) to shuttle a motorbike through the tunnel. Cutting out 20 kilometres of road and saving 30 minutes to an hour of travel time.

 

Guided Motorbike Tours of The Hai Van Pass

The Hai Van Pass can be quite a daunting undertaking if you’re not confident on a motorbike. There are so many places to see that it can be hard to know where to go. If you still want the full experience but don’t want to go it alone then consider a tour.  There are lots of motorbike tours available that give you the thrill of riding up one of the world’s most beautiful coastal roads.  You’ll have the benefit of a local guide too who can show you all the best spots.

In Hoi An, you will likely be approached by bikers offering you tours around the countryside or further afield to places like the Hai Van Pass. A lot of locals offer easy-rider tours. It is important to know that easy-rider is not a brand.  Therefore the level of service can vary dramatically between drivers. Easy-riders are usually bigger bikes with a passenger seat that has a backrest to make longer journeys more comfortable. If you decide to go on a longer tour with an easy rider, make sure that you get along with the driver first. You will be spending your whole journey with them, so it helps.

There are multiple reputable companies which offer bike tours to the Hai Van Pass and beyond. Here are our top picks:

Hoi An Motorbike Adventures

Easy Rider Hoi An

Address: 109 Le Hong Phong

Mr Thong has been running easy rider tours in Hoi An for a long time and really knows his way around. They offer one-day return trips over the Hai Van Pass, as well as longer one-way rides to Hue and beyond. Prices for a full-day return tour to the Hai Van Pass including the Marble Mountains start at 1,000,000 VND (43 USD).

Jeep Tours of the Hai Van Pass

Bus Tours of the Hai Van Pass

The only way to go on a bus tour over the Hai Van Pass is if you are travelling to Hue. All the buses going over the Hai Van Pass will stop at the top for you to get out and take some photos. Taking a bus is definitely the cheapest way to get to Hue. However, you don’t get the same experience as going on a jeep or motorbike tour.

Hidden’s Thoughts

If you’re confident and comfortable on a motorbike, you won’t want to miss this part of Vietnam. This ride is going to be a dream come true for you. There is no need to be put off if you don’t want to ride a motorbike either.  Simply remove the stress from the occasion and opt for a guided tour, sit back, and enjoy the ride.