The Hai Van Pass at a glance
The Hai Van Pass is a coastal mountain road that links the Hue side of central Vietnam with Da Nang. It climbs to about 500 m (1,640 ft) and runs for roughly 20 to 21 km (12 to 13 mi). It sits about 80 km (50 mi) south of Hue and about 20 km (12 mi) north of central Da Nang, according to the Da Nang tourism office in 2025. These are rounded distances for orientation, not a measured route from your hotel.
Most visitors drive it as part of the trip from Hue to Hoi An, which makes it a half-day detour on a longer transfer. Hoi An has its own guide: see Hoi An for the Da Nang to Hoi An leg.
The pass is not the tunnel
The two get mixed up all the time.
The old road over the top
This is the winding pass with the sea views, and it is what this page is about. The slower sightseeing trips use it.
The road tunnel underneath
The tunnel is a separate way through the mountain. A 2021 notice from its operator said that motorbikes were not allowed to ride through on their own and were carried on a transport vehicle with their riders. That is an old notice, so check the current rules and price before you go.
Bad weather changes the plan
One transfer operator advises against doing the pass in poor weather because visibility is low. If it is pouring, consider moving the pass to another day.
Our picks: Hai Van Pass
On the back of an Easy Rider motorbike or in a private retro jeep.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private retro jeep tour over the Hai Van Pass
An open army-style jeep with a driver and guide, lunch, water and a ticket included, plus a private transfer from the pass to the Marble Mountains and your hotel in Da Nang or Hoi An. Personal expenses are extra.
Check availability →
Easy Rider motorbike tour over the Hai Van Pass
An English-speaking Easy Rider drives you, with helmet, fuel, rain gear, entry fees and parking included. Food and drinks are extra, and riding yourself is a separate option at $29.
Check availability →Hai Van Pass and Hue to Hoi An tours
Day trips over the pass by car, jeep and motorbike, with live prices and availability.
Car, jeep or motorbike: what is listed in 2026
Prices as listed by Hue operators in October 2026. Each is one operator's offer, not a standard rate, so confirm what is included before you pay.
| Option | Price | Included |
|---|---|---|
| Private car, direct transfer | USD 69 up to 3 people, USD 79 up to 5, USD 99 up to 12 | Driver, fuel, tolls and parking. Meals and entrance fees are extra. |
| Jeep package | USD 160 for 1 guest, USD 180 for 2, USD 215 for 3, USD 260 for 4, per jeep | Jeep and car, driver, lunch, parking, tolls and entrance fees |
| Motorbike, riding behind a guide | USD 60 per person | Motorbike, fuel, helmet, rain gear and entrance fees. Meals and health insurance are extra. |
| Motorbike, riding yourself (private) | USD 85 | Same as above |
A direct car transfer from Hue to Hoi An is about 130 km (81 mi) and takes about 3 hours. The sightseeing version of the same trip takes 6 to 8 hours, depending on the stops. Weather and traffic can change both.
Jeep tours: read the small print
The jeep package is a good choice if you want an open view and a driver who knows the road. It is not a jeep for the whole way, though. The listing describes the jeep over the pass, with the onward drive to Hoi An in a car. Do not plan on sitting in the jeep from Hue to Hoi An.
The same listing gives the duration as 5 hours in one place, 7 to 8 hours in another and 8 hours in a third, so ask the operator for the actual schedule. The listed advance notice is at least 12 hours. The "from USD 90 per person" headline does not match the per-jeep table, which is why it is worth getting a written quote.
Riding the pass on a motorbike
For self-riders, the operator we looked at asks for an international driving permit under the 1968 Vienna Convention. That is one operator's requirement, so check what applies to your nationality, your licence and your insurance before you book. Insurance is a separate point: health insurance is not included in the price above.
The same operator asks for a 30% deposit with the rest due on the first tour day, and adds 3.5% for card payments. Those terms belong to this one product and are not general rules for Vietnam. The listing also mentions accommodation, even though the tour is sold as a day trip, so do not count on a hotel night being part of it.
By train from Hue to Da Nang
The Hue to Da Nang cultural train was relaunched on 26 March 2026, and fares are listed at VND 180,000 to 500,000 depending on the date and seat class. That is a range, not one fixed price. Launch discounts from March and April 2026 have ended. In August 2026 there were reports of talks about a steam train trial planned for October, but no timetable or tickets were confirmed, so do not build a plan around it.
The train ends in Da Nang. For Hoi An you continue by road, so there is no direct train from Hue to Hoi An. Check the current departure times with the railway before you go.
Plan the rest of your Hue trip
Where the pass fits in.
Hue weather by month
Rainfall and temperature normals, and why October is the wettest month.
DMZ tour from Hue
The other long day out: Vinh Moc, Hien Luong and Khe Sanh.
Where to stay in Hue
Which base suits your plan, before you head south.
Before you head south, the royal tombs of Hue are worth a look. If your next stop is Hoi An, see where to stay in Hoi An.
Hai Van Pass: frequently asked questions
How long is the Hai Van Pass?
About 20 to 21 km (12 to 13 mi), reaching a height of about 500 m (1,640 ft). The driving time depends on stops and the weather, so there is no fixed figure.
How far is it from Hue to Hoi An?
About 130 km (81 mi). A direct car transfer takes about 3 hours and a sightseeing trip with stops takes 6 to 8 hours.
Is the Hai Van Pass the same as the tunnel?
No. The pass is the old mountain road over the top and the tunnel is a separate road underneath it. The pass is the scenic route.
How much does a private car from Hue to Hoi An cost?
One operator lists USD 69 for up to 3 people, USD 79 for up to 5 and USD 99 for up to 12 in 2026. Driver, fuel, tolls and parking are included. Meals and entrance fees are not.
Can I ride the pass myself?
Some operators rent a motorbike for self-riders and ask for an international driving permit. The one we looked at lists USD 85 for a private ride in 2026. Check the licence, insurance and rules for your own situation first.
Is there a train from Hue to Hoi An?
No direct one. The train runs between Hue and Da Nang, with fares of VND 180,000 to 500,000 depending on date and class. From Da Nang you continue by road to Hoi An.