The Hai Van Pass and the train from Da Nang to Hue

The Hải Vân Pass separates Da Nang from Hue in more than geography — one side is subtropical, the other slides into the monsoon climate of central Vietnam. There are five ways across, but only two hand you the postcard shots off the cliff above the East Sea (South China Sea).

A regular train ticket starts at 60,000 VND (~$2.40), and the 100 kilometres take 2.5–3 hours. In that time you get Lang Co Bay, rice fields and mountain tunnels — none of which a bus will show you, because buses now run under the mountain through the tunnel.

The Hai Van Pass — Vietnam's highest coastal road

The pass climbs to 496 metres and runs 21 km along the Truong Son range, the spine that splits Vietnam into a coastal strip and an inland one. Until 2005 everything — trucks, buses, motorbikes — crawled over the hairpins. Then a 6.28 km tunnel opened and commercial traffic went underground. The pass itself was left to those who come for the views.

At the top sits a French bunker from the First Indochina War. Entry is free. Beside it is a viewpoint over Lăng Cô Bay and the sea. On a clear day you can see for tens of kilometres. There are a couple of cafés up here where coffee runs 20,000–30,000 VND (~$0.80–1.20), plus a few souvenir stalls.

How to cross the pass — 5 ways

Every option strikes a different balance of price, speed and scenery. Here is the honest comparison:

Buses and taxis go through the Hai Van tunnel and won't show you the pass at all. If the pass is the point, take the train or a motorbike.

💬 "It was lovely to take the train there and a minibus back. Lunch in Hue was excellent." — Tripadvisor, 2025

The Reunification Express — a legend of Vietnamese rail

"Reunification Express" is the name for the trains running the Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City line: 1,726 kilometres, 33 hours, 191 stations. The French built the railway in the early 20th century; it was wrecked during the war and rebuilt after the country reunified in 1976.

Between Da Nang and Hue the SE1–SE12 trains run 5–6 services a day each way. This stretch is reckoned the most scenic on the whole line: the track hugs the coast, dives into tunnels and re-emerges over Lang Co Bay.

Classes of service

• Hard seat — wooden benches, the cheapest option, from 60,000 VND (~$2.40)
• Soft seat — reclining chairs, from 184,000 VND (~$7.40)
• 4-berth cabin — bunks with mattresses, from 300,000 VND (overkill for 3 hours, but handy on longer routes)

Tickets are sold at the stations and through 12go.asia and vexere.com. In high season (December to February) book 3–5 days ahead.

The Heritage train — a tourist train over Hai Van

In 2024 the Central Heritage Connection launched — a tourist train between Da Nang and Hue. Panoramic windows, comfortable seats, an audio guide. Journey time is 3 hours 15 minutes, a touch longer than the regular service because the train slows down on the most scenic stretches.

A one-way ticket is 300,000 VND (~$12). You can book at huetodanangbytrain.com or through Klook.

It rates 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 240+ reviews, with 98% of passengers giving it 4 stars or more.

What to see along the way

Lang Co Bay

Lăng CôBay joined the club of the world's most beautiful bays back in 2009: white sand, turquoise water, fishing boats. From the train window you get about 10–15 minutes of it — enough for a dozen photos. On a motorbike you can drop down to the water and linger.

Next to the bay is a fishing village where people come for seafood. Grilled prawns start at 80,000 VND (~$3.20) a plate.

At the summit

The French fort (the bunker) is free. It looks grim, but the views make up for it. The viewpoint is the best photo spot. There is a café with coffee for 20,000 VND. Give yourself 30–40 minutes here.

Hue in a day

If you came from Da Nang on a morning train, you have 6–8 hours in Hue before the return service. The bare minimum:

• Imperial Citadel (Đại Nội Huế) — entry 200,000 VND (~$8), 2 hours to walk it
• Thien Mu Pagoda (Chùa Thiên Mụ) — free, 30 minutes
• Lunch — bún bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup) from 30,000 VND (~$1.20) at Dong Ba market

The royal tombs (100,000–150,000 VND each) will eat another half day — that is for anyone staying overnight.

Over Hai Van by motorbike — for the brave

This is the classic travel-blog move: rent a motorbike in Da Nang and ride the 21 km of hairpins above the sea. It sounds great. But there are caveats.

Renting in Da Nang: from 150,000 VND/day (~$6) for an automatic, from 200,000 for a manual. Rental shops line every tourist street. Ask for a helmet with a visor and check the brakes.

The route: head north out of Da Nang on the QL1A to the fork by the tunnel, then follow the sign for the pass (the old road). The climb is 30–40 minutes and the views start straight away. Stop at the top for photos and coffee. The descent to Lang Co is another 20 minutes.

Not confident on mountain roads? The relaxed option is an easy-rider: a local driver takes you over the pass on the back of their bike (or in a car), stopping wherever you like. You get the views and the stops without steering the hairpins yourself.

If you're not sure of your skills on mountain roads, take the train or an easy-rider. Seriously.

Practical tips

Best time to go: February to May. Clear skies, little rain, great visibility. From October to January the pass is often lost in cloud.

Where to buy train tickets

• At Ga Đà Nẵng station (no markup, but a queue)
• Via 12go.asia — about a 15% markup, but it is online and in English
• Via vexere.com — a Vietnamese aggregator

What to bring

• A camera or a phone with a full battery — you'll be shooting constantly
• A jacket for the summit — the wind is strong even in summer
• Water — they sell it on the pass, but at a markup

Common mistakes

• Taking the bus and expecting views — it goes through the tunnel, so you'll see a wall
• Renting a motorbike with no mountain-road experience
• Not booking the Heritage train ahead — tickets run out a week early

• Da Nang train station (Ga Đà Nẵng): Trains to Hue — from 60,000 VND (~$2.40)
• Hai Van Pass summit (Đèo Hải Vân): 496 m — Viewpoint, old bunker, cafés
• Lang Co Bay (Vịnh Lăng Cô): One of the world's most beautiful bays — Beach, seafood
• Hue train station (Ga Huế): End of the route — 2.5–3 h from Da Nang
• Imperial Citadel (Đại Nội Huế): Entry 200,000 VND (~$8) — Allow 2 hours
• Thien Mu Pagoda (Chùa Thiên Mụ): Symbol of Hue — Free entry

FAQ

How much is the train from Da Nang to Hue?

A hard seat is from 60,000 VND (~$2.40), a soft reclining seat from 184,000 VND (~$7.40). The Heritage train is 300,000 VND (~$12). Under-5s ride free; ages 5–10 pay half.

Can you see the Hai Van Pass from the train?

Yes. The line runs along the mountainside with views over Lang Co Bay and the East Sea (South China Sea). The most scenic stretch lasts 15–20 minutes. Sit on the left-hand side when travelling from Da Nang.

Is the Hai Van Pass dangerous by motorbike?

The road is paved but the hairpins are narrow and you share them with trucks. Rain and fog (October to February) raise the risk. Experienced riders are fine; beginners should take the train or hire an easy-rider driver.

Heritage train or regular train — which is better?

The Heritage train costs about five times more (300,000 vs 60,000 VND) but has panoramic windows, comfy seats and commentary. The regular train is cheaper and runs more often. For photos and comfort, Heritage; for budget, regular.

Is a day trip to Hue from Da Nang worth it?

Yes. Take a morning train (7–8 am) and you are in Hue by 10–11. Citadel plus Thien Mu Pagoda plus lunch is about 5–6 hours. Come back by train or by Grab through the tunnel (2 hours). Just skip the royal tombs — they need a separate day.

When is the best time to cross the pass?

February to May: clear, dry and you can see the whole coast. Summer is hot but visibility is fine. From October to January the pass fills with fog and drizzle — you can ride the entire road and see nothing but a white wall.

Prices current as of April 2026. Prices and conditions can change — check official sources before you travel.