During the Nguyen Dynasty, in 1826, King Minh Mang (1791-1840) ordered a stone citadel and a fortified gateway built to protect the area. The gate facing Thua Thien-Hue Province is inscribed with the three words “Hai Van Quan”. The other gate looking down on Quang Nam Province is engraved “Thien ha de nhat hung quan”, meaning the grandest gateway in the world.

In “Phu bien tap luc”, a collection of books recording important things about the economy and society in the North, Le Quy Don (1726-1784) wrote: “Hai Van seems to stand with its feet in the sea and its crest covered with clouds, forming the boundary between the two areas of Thuan Hoa and Quang Nam (present-day Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam Provinces)”.

Previously, Hai Van Pass was the only road connecting the north and the south. However, in 2005 when Hai Van Tunnel, the longest one in Southeast Asia, was put into operation and offers an alternative route through the pass. Because of this, few people now use the pass.

With sudden curves, blind corners and covered by a thick layer of mist all year round Hai Van Pass is like an arrogant but beautiful girl challenging those who like adventures.

Whenever one goes through Hai Van Pass, two feelings are experienced: amazement at passing through the clouds and fear when seeing the dangerous bends in the road.

After climbing through several hair-pin curves on the steep winding road up and down for close to an hour, you will reach the windy and misty crest of Hai Van Pass.

Sightseeing in Vietnam is at its best here. There are views of the immense sea with Lang Co Bay of Hue in the north and Da Nang Bay of Da Nang in the south.

Tourists can discover the beauty of the pass, visit the Hai Van Gateway or behold Thong Nhat trains passing through mountains under green canopies.

On sunny days, tourists have a panoramic view of Da Nang, Tien Sa Port, Son Tra Peninsula and Cu Lao Cham with long golden sand beaches embracing the sea bays.

Not far from the pass is Lang Co Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and the imperial city of Hue that is 70km further on. South of the Pass is Da Nang, a dynamic city with famous My Khe Beach together with other tourist potentials.

With its beauty, the pass has recently become one of the most popular tourist destinations for both domestic and foreign visitors.