Hai Van Pass Da Nang – Map, Route, Weather, History, Tour

History of Hai Van Pass

Ancient Times and Legends

As the most rugged and dangerous trail in ancient times, people composed a sentence that is still used today. Its full meaning is “walkers are terrified of Hai Van Pass and boatmans are terrified of underground waves around its foot”. According to history books, the trekkers may face robbers, tigers and bad weather while walking along the pass. However, there are no other choices, so people must move across when needed.  

If lucky enough, the walkers could see a miracle and rare flower (namely hoa ngai). It blooms in the spring and after falling into the sea by the wind, it helps the fish which eat it to become a dragon. In the folk story of Cham people who resided in the land before the Vietnamese, the dragon can turn into a human. One day, it falls in love with Cham’s princess and wants to rob her for itself but fails. The patron god Shiva uses the bow and arrow to kill it previously. In Cham’s language, the dragon is called “Makara” and the statue of this legendary animal has been exhibited in the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture.    

Vietnamese Dynasties

Hai Van Pass is owned officially by current Vietnamese from 1306 when the Champa king gave the land as a wedding present. However, there are not many people who come to the new territory to settle down, because it’s remote, near the frontiers. The first Vietnamese king to travel the pass was Le Thanh Tong, in 1471 when he led the army to capture Champa’s capital Vijaya. He aimed to vigorously resolve the Southern border conflicts. While standing on the summit, the beauty of nature amazed this 30-years-old emperor and he titled the whole pass “the most marvelous wonder (of Vietnam). He got the win then.

Another Vietnamese king linked to the history of the Hai Van Pass is Minh Mang. He was 2nd emperor of the Nguyen dynasty, reigning the country from 1820 to 1840. At the peak of prosperity, he put great care into national defense very much. In 1826, Hai Van Gate, an outpost where imperial soldiers always presented, to protect the capital from its southernmost. Cannons, telescopes and flags were equipped, to observe and signal for the strongholds below. Placed in the top of the pass, people there also were responsible for monitoring the traffic in the first trans-Vietnam trail (thien ly). Walkers had to pay a small fee if they liked to go to the other side. See details of what visitors can see today in the below section here.

Hai Van Pass during Vietnam Wars

The French army occupied the Hai Van Pass in 20th century when they established Tourane city (today Da Nang). The soldiers built bunkers around the Hai Van Gate and converted some buildings into a new function. Because of a very strategic point in the eyes of military men, the Vietminh (League for the Independence of Vietnam) led by Ho Chi Minh attacked on this, to gain control. French troops felt so exhausted in fighting against and said that Hai Van is “the road without joy”. During the second Vietnam war, the Americans and South Vietnamese army were based here. Taking advantage of frequent mist, communist guerillas attacked many times. In the evening, they also made the enemy feel stressful and nervous everlastingly. In March 1975, North Vietnam army took control, and now, the place is free from military activities.

Battles in Hai Van Pass

The memorial stele by the main road, at the top of Hai Van Pass, provides information about three battles in French colonial time. The first occurred in February 1947 and after it, the 19th battalion (of Vietnamese) killed 20 French and African soldiers, and 8 military cars. Three months later, another battle happens. the French brigadier Roger, leader of the army in Central Vietnam and 100 soldiers are killed by the gun of the enemy. In addition, the communists also bomb the train in the tunnels and vehicles in lower elevations. 300 solders more loose their live in Vietnam. The third battle starts in January 1949, and like two previous ones, the French suffered the heaviest losses.

Hai Van Pass Deaths and Rumors

Hai Van Pass is thought to be the most dangerous pass in the trans-Vietnam highway. Local people still see many traffic accidents occurring along it, because of many reasons. When cruising, visitors can see temples on a side of the main road, belonging to victims. On the mountain side, there are two large groups of temples, generally called “Tiger temple” where a man dedicates his life to take care of them. He also repairs the broken motorcycles for free. 

The Hai Van Underpass Constructions

Construction of the Hai Van Tunnel is one of the turning points in history of the Hai Van Pass. Operated since 2005, the South-east Asia’s longest tunnel has been serving over 10,000 vehicles one day, and around twice in the holidays. Not allowed for access of motorcycles and bicycles, it closes a few hours (in the lowest period) to clean and maintain. In Da Nang’s portal, a temple for worship of the God of Mountain is built and a banyan tree symbolizing the permanence, is planted next to. In 2017, sister Hai Van Tunnel 2 is constructed.