(Check entire Vietnam Travel Guide here. To read about my experience, check my Hai Van Pass Travel Story.)
Hai Van Pass tour gained international popularity after Top Gear shot an episode covering the exact same route. Starting in Hoi-An (or Da Nang) and ending in Hue (or vice-versa) and covering roughly 170 KM, this scenic route can be covered by renting a one-way two-wheeler from either end.
Contents
- What to do and Visit
- Suggestive one-day itinerary
- Travel Tips
Things to Do and What to Visit
For ease of travel and sightseeing, I group the locations into clusters, and places in a single cluster can be visited at one go.
| Cluster | Sight | Priority | Type | Rating |
| 1 | Marble Mountain | Must | Mix | 4.5 |
| 1 | Canh Dep Viewpoint | Must | Natural | 5 |
| 1 | Lang Co Bay | Must | Natural | 5 |
| 1 | Elephant Springs | Optional | Natural | 3.5 |
Marble Mountain: A network of multiple mountains, this huge cluster consists of multiple caves that house multiple temples of different types, with serene feeling. One can also climb to the top to have an amazing view of the city and the coastline. (Rating: 4.5/5, Time needed: 1.5 hours)
Canh Dep Viewpoint: A viewpoint on top of Hai Van Pass from which a huge crescent beach with clean sands and turquoise water can be seen. The beach is at least a hundred meters below, and though there is a way to reach the beach, it’s time consuming and not recommended during the tour. (Rating: 5/5, Time needed: 30 mins)
Lang Co Bay: A picturesque bay surrounded by a lagoon and the ocean. Right before reaching the bay, there’s a viewpoint from where the bay can be seen and photographed from a distance. Usually the lunch spot for the tour, midway of the Hai Van Pass tour, good seafood places. (Rating: 5/5, Time needed: 1 hour)
Elephant Springs: About 30 minutes’ drive from Lang Co Bay en route Hue, this quaint spring at one end of the Bach Ma National Park is a nice way to relax after a long drive. A laid-back swimming hole featuring large rocks, waterfalls & covered wooden platforms. (Rating: 3.5/5, Time needed: 30 mins)
Suggestive One-day Itinerary
- Leave from Hoi An by 7.30 AM, since there are going to be multiple picturesque stops over and above the four mentioned above.
- Reach Marble Mountains by 8-8.30, visit for a couple of hours until 10. (or, you can swap it with Monkey Mountain if you already visited Marble Mountains.)
- Take stops wherever you see something interesting. Reach Canh Dep viewpoint by 12 and Lang Co Bay by 2. Have lunch at Lang Co Bay, play some football.
- If you’re done by 3, head towards Elephant Springs and take a swim; else directly leave for Hue.
Travel Tips
- Rent from well-known rental agencies (e.g. Motorvina) that provide great customer service in case of a breakdown.
- Agencies usually provide free luggage transfer to your destination, so that you don’t have to carry your backpack during the ride.
- If you have covered Marble Mountains already during Da Nang visit, you can start the tour an hour late, or swap it with Monkey Mountain and Lady Buddha.
- There are petrol stations near Lang Co Bay and other places, so no need to fill the tank fully.
- You can withdraw in ATMs using your forex card or ATM card. Read about your bank’s charges before deciding.
- Start from Lang Co Bay or Elephant Springs latest by 4, since there are heavy vehicles in the highway and it might become difficult to drive after sunset.
If you like the above itinerary or found any hidden gems I might have missed, let me know in comments. Click here for guides for other cities in Vietnam. Hope you have a safe and interesting travel.