Hai Van Pass by Jeep or Day Tour: Hoi An to Hue
Two ways to cross the Hai Van Pass: a one-way jeep tour from Hoi An to Hue with a spring bath and seafood lunch, or a day tour that includes Hue and returns.
By AmGo Travel5 min read
The Hai Van Pass is the most famous stretch of road in central Vietnam: about 21 km of curves over the mountain that separates Da Nang from Hue, with the coast falling away below. Since the tunnel opened under the mountain, most heavy traffic avoids the pass, which leaves it to travellers who come for the views. This guide compares two ways to cross it, by open jeep from Hoi An to Hue or on a day tour that returns the same evening, and explains what you see on the way. It comes from the AmGo Travel team in Hanoi's Old Quarter, who run tours across central Vietnam.
Hai Van Pass at a glance
- Where: on National Route 1A, the natural border between Hue and Da Nang.
- Length: about 21 km of mountain road.
- Also called: the Cloud Pass, for the clouds that often sit on the summit.
- Two ways to go with us: a one-way jeep tour from Hoi An to Hue (or the reverse), or a day tour by van from Da Nang or Hoi An that includes Hue and brings you back.
Option 1: by jeep from Hoi An to Hue
The jeep tour turns the transfer between Hoi An and Hue into a day out. It covers a 165 km route from about 9:00 to 16:00 and ends at your hotel in Hue, so you travel and sightsee at the same time.
The stops
- Bang An Tower. Leaving Hoi An across green rice fields, the first stop is a 1,000-year-old Champa temple, where you learn about Champa culture and Hindu beliefs.
- The Hai Van Pass. The jeep climbs the winding road to the top.
- Coffee at the summit. A break at Turtle Stone Coffee, with a panoramic view of Da Nang and the coastline.
- Suoi Mo spring bath. Down the other side, past Lap An Lagoon, for a swim in a natural spring. The ticket is included, so bring swimwear.
- Lang Co Bay. A seafood lunch at a local restaurant around 12:45.
- Tu Hien Bridge. A photo stop with the jeeps.
- The "Ghost City". A village near Hue known for its unusual and elaborate tomb architecture.
Then the jeep drops you at your hotel in Hue city centre.
Good to know
- One way only. The tour finishes in Hue and does not return to Hoi An. It also runs from Hue to Hoi An, leaving Hue at 9:00 and arriving about 16:00.
- Group size: 2 to 20 guests, minimum 2.
- Included: jeep and driver, English-speaking guide, the Suoi Mo ticket, cold water, coffee, lunch and drinks.
- Not included: insurance, tips and personal expenses.
- Pick-up is free from hotels in Hoi An city and Da Nang city; some outlying areas pay a transfer surcharge.
Option 2: Hai Van Pass and Hue in one day
If you are based in Da Nang or Hoi An and want to see Hue without moving hotels, the day tour by van crosses the pass and comes back the same evening.
- Pick-up: 7:00 to 7:30 in Hoi An, or 7:45 to 8:15 in Da Nang.
- On the way north: a stop on the Hai Van Pass, then Lap An Lagoon and Lang Co Beach, with more than 10 km of white sand.
- In Hue: Khai Dinh Tomb, a 7-dish lunch of Hue cuisine, the Imperial City (Ngo Mon Gate, the Royal Library, Thai Hoa Palace, the Nine Dynastic Urns) and Thien Mu Pagoda.
- Back: leave Hue at 15:45, drop-off around 18:00 in Da Nang and 19:00 in Hoi An.
- Group: small group of 1 to 12 guests; entrance fees and travel insurance are included.
For more on what to see in the city, read our guide to Hue in one day.
Jeep or day tour: which one?
Choose the jeep if you are travelling between Hoi An and Hue anyway and want the journey to be the highlight: more stops on the road, a spring bath and a seafood lunch by the bay, but less time inside Hue's monuments.
Choose the day tour if you want to stay in Da Nang or Hoi An and still see Hue's main sights: the pass is one stop on a full day that focuses on the Imperial City and the royal tombs.
Tips for crossing the Hai Van Pass
- Expect changing weather. The summit is often in cloud, and it can be cooler and windier than the coast. Bring a light jacket.
- Bring sun protection. An open jeep means sun and wind; a hat that stays on, sunglasses and sun cream help.
- Pack swimwear for Suoi Mo on the jeep tour.
- Travel light on the jeep. If you are moving hotels, tell us about your luggage when you book.
- Children: on both tours, children aged 1 to 4 travel free sharing a seat and meals with their parents.
Hai Van Pass tours with AmGo Travel
See more on the Hue destination page.
FAQ
How long is the Hai Van Pass? About 21 km, on National Route 1A between Da Nang and Hue.
Does the jeep tour return to Hoi An? No. It is one way and ends at your hotel in Hue around 16:00. It also runs from Hue to Hoi An.
Can I see the Hai Van Pass and Hue in one day? Yes. The day tour from Da Nang or Hoi An stops on the pass, visits Hue's Imperial City, Khai Dinh Tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda, and brings you back the same evening.
Can I swim on the way? On the jeep tour, yes: there is a spring bath at Suoi Mo, and the ticket is included.
Where can I book a Hai Van Pass tour? With AmGo Travel, a Vietnamese team of trip planners and guides with an office at 61 Hang Ga, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. Book at amgotravel.com or on WhatsApp.
Tell AmGo Travel where you are staying and which way you are heading, and we will suggest the right way to cross the Hai Van Pass.
