Located on the mountain pass from Hue to Danang, Hai Van Quan is one of the must-visit destinations for history enthusiasts and lovers of majestic nature. It is said that in ancient times, King Le Thanh Tong bestowed upon Hai Van Quan six precious characters: “Thien ha de nhat hung quan” (The foremost mighty pass under the sky). So what wonders does this place hold? Join DanangPrivateCar.com’s to explore in today’s article.
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Some special features of Hai Van Quan:
- Address: Hai Van Pass Summit, Lang Co Town, Phu Loc District, Hue
- Operating hours: All day
- Ticket price: Free
Located on the administrative boundary between Da Nang City and Thua Thien Hue Province, Hai Van Quan is a defensive work built during the Nguyen Dynasty in 1826. Up to now, Hai Van Quan has been classified by the state as a national historical and architectural relic.
Situated at the summit of Hai Van Pass at an altitude of 496 meters above sea level, Hai Van Quan not only bears significant historical marks but also possesses picturesque and charming mountain scenery, attracting numerous tourists to stop by this place.
With its “unique” location, Hai Van Quan used to be one of the most important checkpoints in our country, controlling both the road from the south to Hue and the sea route at the foot of the mountain.
Experience conquering the foremost defensive stronghold
Ideal time to conquer Hai Van Pass to reach the stronghold
Situated atop Hai Van Pass, the foremost stronghold is not only beautiful amidst the vibrant wildflowers of spring but also majestic under the golden June sun. However, to truly experience the beauty of Hai Van Quan, you need to keep in mind the following important points in your travel guide:
Located in the South Central Coast, Hai Van Quan also experiences two distinct seasons: dry season and rainy season. Often, the weather here is influenced by the Central Highlands, making it quite unpredictable with occasional rain and sun. Therefore, the ideal time for you to pack your bags and come here is during the dry season from March to August. During this time, the weather is quite good, with clear skies, fewer clouds, and thunderstorms, making your journey comfortable.
A small tip for your adventure is to start early in the morning (4-5 am) or late in the afternoon (from 5 pm) to catch the sunrise and sunset on the pass. Exploring Hai Van Quan at this time will make the scenery even more beautiful.
Route to Hai Van Quan
Hai Van Quan is open to visitors all day and completely free of charge. If you are planning a trip to Hue and want to explore this mysterious destination, you can choose a motorbike or car for an exciting experience.
Starting your journey from the imperial city of Hue, you will pass through the An Duong Vuong – Nguyen Tat Thanh route to reach Huong Thuy town. Then, you will proceed onto National Highway 1A, about 60km further is a left turn at Cafe Binh Chau, and moving a short distance of a few tens of meters more will lead you to Hai Van Quan.
Exploring Hai Van Quan
Admiring the ancient fortress on Hai Van Quan
Hai Van Quan is considered a pinnacle of military architecture in our country. Located at a strategically vulnerable position, Hai Van Quan was built with three unique gates:
- Front Gate: Facing Thua Thien with the inscription “Hai Van Quan”. This is also the largest gate in this relic, 15 thước high, 17 thước 1 tấc long, and 17 thước wide.
- Back Gate: Facing Quang Nam, inscribed with “Thien Ha De Nhat Hung Quan”. It is 15 thước high, 11 thước long, and 18 thước 1 tấc wide.
- Slope Gate: The smallest gate of Hai Van Quan, only 10 thước 8 tấc high and 8 thước 1 tấc wide.
During the Minh Mang era, this structure was equipped with 5 bronze cannons, 200 flamethrowers, 100 sky-reaching cannons, and ammunition. However, with the devastation of war and the passage of time, the walls and gates have suffered considerable damage.
Today, if you have the opportunity to visit Hai Van Quan, you can also explore the guard towers and moss-covered gates. All of these are venerable relics steeped in history with vivid traces of a mysterious past.
Admiring Lang Co Beach
At the foot of Hai Van Pass, you will discover the magnificent beauty of Lang Co Bay, located approximately 70km from Hue City and over 30km from Danang City. With one side featuring pristine coastline, the other side adorned with a charming lagoon and lush green mountains, Lang Co Bay forms a magnificent natural painting that no one wants to miss. This is an ideal stop for those who want to relax and immerse themselves in the beauty amidst the sea and mountains in Central Vietnam.
Conquering the North-South natural route
At Hai Van Quan, you not only have the opportunity to explore history but also to check-in at the North-South natural route, the longest longitudinal road in Vietnam since ancient times. This route is also known as the mandarin road because in ancient times it was a major road reserved for officials and less used by commoners.
Admiring Hai Van Pass
Hai Van Pass, with a length of 21km and an altitude of 500m above sea level, is not only one of Vietnam’s special mountain passes but also a wonderful destination for nature lovers.
Although not the highest or longest mountain pass, with its majestic natural scenery, Hai Van Pass will offer you incredible experiences. Here, there are towering mountains above and the blue sea below, creating a magnificent landscape unmatched anywhere else. This captivates every traveler who sets foot here, even leaving them in awe before the spectacular beauty of nature.
Transportation to Hai Van Quan
Motorbike
Many travelers choose to explore Hai Van Quan by motorbike due to its flexibility and the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the journey. It provides a sense of freedom and adventure, allowing you to stop at various viewpoints along the way to admire the spectacular scenery and capture memorable photos. Riding a motorbike also allows you to experience the thrill of conquering the winding roads of Hai Van Pass firsthand, creating an exhilarating and unforgettable journey.
You can rent a motorbike in Danang City and then travel to Hai Van Quan. Please note that Hai Van Pass is one of the challenging mountain passes, so you should consider driving yourself carefully.
Additionally, you can book motorbike tour services from Hue to Hoi An through DanangMotorbikeAdventure.com. This is a leading provider of motorbike tour services in Central Vietnam. With experienced drivers, they will ensure you have the best motorbike trip.
Private Vehicle
For those who prefer a more comfortable and convenient option, traveling to Hai Van Quan by private vehicle is an excellent choice. Whether it’s a car or a rented van with a driver, a private vehicle offers the convenience of door-to-door transportation without the hassle of navigating through traffic or worrying about parking. It provides a relaxed and leisurely journey, allowing you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery as you make your way to Hai Van Quan. With a private vehicle, you can also travel with family or friends, making it a perfect option for group outings or family excursions.
For large groups of travelers, families, or friends, booking a private car with a driver in Danang through DanangPrivateCar.com is the top choice. The drivers of DanangPrivateCar.com will pick you up anywhere in Danang, then take you through Hai Van Pass and to Hai Van Quan for sightseeing and admiring the beautiful scenery. Book your trip from Danang to Hue by private car today to explore Hai Van Quan to the fullest.
Hai Van Quan, through generations, still preserves its grand and majestic gate as a shield protecting our homeland. Visiting Hai Van Quan, you will feel rejuvenated when contemplating a relic that was once so significant in ancient times.
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