Hai Van Pass: How to Get From Da Nang to Hue

Motorbikes are not allowed inside the Hai Van Tunnel. Riders cross on the pass road over the top, past Hai Van Gate (Hai Van Quan) at the summit, the classic stop for the view. Vietnam Railways' heritage train also crosses the pass between Hue and Da Nang.

If you want to see Hai Van Pass, ride or drive the old pass road over the top, because motorbikes are not allowed inside the Hai Van Tunnel. The road climbs to Hai Van Gate (Hai Van Quan) at the summit. Without a bike, Vietnam Railways’ heritage train between Hue and Da Nang also crosses the pass.

Ways to cross Hai Van Pass: road, tunnel or train

The tunnel (no motorbikes)

Motorbikes are not allowed inside the Hai Van Tunnel, so if you ride, you cross over the top instead. The 2005 safety notice, as reprinted by Nhan Dan, also named bicycles and pedestrians:

Cấm các loại xe mô-tô, xe đạp và người đi bộ vào hầm.

Motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians are prohibited from entering the tunnel.

Hải Vân tunnel traffic safety notice, Quy định số 7 — reproduced by Nhân Dân (4 June 2005)

Vietnam’s traffic-penalty decree fines a motorbike or moped rider who enters a road with a sign banning that vehicle type:

Phạt tiền từ 2.000.000 đồng đến 3.000.000 đồng đối với người điều khiển xe thực hiện một trong các hành vi vi phạm sau đây: … b) Đi vào khu vực cấm, đường có biển báo hiệu có nội dung cấm đi vào đối với loại phương tiện đang điều khiển, trừ các hành vi vi phạm quy định tại điểm a, điểm b khoản 7 Điều này và các trường hợp xe ưu tiên đang đi làm nhiệm vụ khẩn cấp theo quy định.

A driver who enters a prohibited area, or a road with a sign banning the vehicle type being driven, is fined 2,000,000–3,000,000 VND, except for the acts in points a and b of clause 7 of this article and for priority vehicles on emergency duty.

Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP, Điều 7 khoản 6 điểm b

Since 15 August 2026, the same fine also covers entering a road where a competent authority’s rule bans that vehicle type.

If you drive, the toll was VND 110,000 per trip for cars under 12 seats as of 2021, so check the toll board for today’s rate. Driving without the licence the law requires is prohibited; for which foreign licences count, see driving in Vietnam as a foreigner. The tunnel takes about 10 minutes, against nearly 30 minutes over the pass road.

The pass road

Crossing the pass is free beyond the cost of transportation, and it lies about 20 km north of downtown Da Nang.

Motorbike shuttle through the tunnel

Shuttle services are available for motorbikes. The tunnel operator suspended its service that transfers people, motorbikes and cargo through the tunnel from 1 April 2020, and whether it runs today is not confirmed.

The heritage train

Vietnam Railways runs the “Kết nối di sản miền Trung” heritage tourist train across the pass between Hue and Da Nang.

The time printed on your ticket is the one that counts. For ocean views, pick right-side seats from Da Nang and left-side seats from Hue.

Hai Van Gate (Hai Van Quan)

At the summit lies Hai Van Gate, an ancient fort that began welcoming visitors again on 1 August 2024 after restoration. It was ranked a National Heritage Site under Decision No. 1531/QĐ-BVHTTDL.

It opens 7 AM to 17:30 daily.

Who Hai Van Pass suits (and who should skip it)

• Mountain-and-sea views: the pass road is about a 20 km climb from central Da Nang, 45–60 minutes by motorbike.
• Confident riders: the road is winding and steep, so check your vehicle and fuel up.
• Staying weather-protected: a car or taxi, though it is less flexible for scenic stops.
• Not for motorbikes in the tunnel: ride over the pass road.
• History and heritage: Hai Van Gate itself, reopened in 2024, with an entrance ticket.

How to get to the top of Hai Van Pass

• Motorbike or scooter: from central Da Nang, head north on National Route 1A for about 20 km; the climb takes 45–60 minutes.
• Tunnel warning for riders: motorbikes are not allowed inside, so make sure your route goes over the pass.
• Private car or taxi: about 30 minutes from Da Nang to the summit and about 1.5 hours from Hue. Most interprovincial buses take the tunnel, so ask your driver in advance for the pass road.

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When to go and how long

The pass is open year-round, but the dry season (March–August) has stable weather and clear visibility, while in September–December the road can turn slippery and foggy. A 6–7 AM start offers a sunrise view, and a 3–4 PM start allows sunset viewing before returning at dusk. Avoid hot midday hours in summer, and plan to be off the pass before dark.

Nearby and how to combine it

• Museum of Cham Sculpture: No. 02, 2 Thang 9 Street, Da Nang.
• Dragon Bridge: see its guide for show nights and times.
• Marble Mountains: management board at 81 Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street, Da Nang.

For a half-day loop, visit the Cham Museum first, then head north on National Route 1A for the climb. Save Dragon Bridge for another evening, since you should not ride the pass after dark.

Hai Van Pass is one of several day trips from Da Nang; see the full list at Day trips & sights.

Before you go

• Bring a light jacket for the cool, breezy summit, plus a camera or charged phone.
• Check the weather forecast and avoid riding during storms.
• Motorbikes are not allowed inside the tunnel, so take the pass road.
• Hai Van Quan’s adult ticket is VND 70,000; children aged 7–12 enter free.

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Not confirmed: Whether the motorbike shuttle runs today, what it costs, and whether bicycles may use the tunnel today. Ask at the tunnel station. Whether Hai Van Quan's hours of 7 AM to 17:30 and the 2021 tunnel toll of VND 110,000 still apply. Check the posted notices.

General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.

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