Pass of the Ocean Clouds
The fort passage framing the Danang Bay view
One of the “must-see” in Vietnam is the Road from Danang to Hue. In fact, National Geographic included this scenic route as one of the 50 Places of a Lifetime under the Country Unbound category. And passing by this route twice, first via a train to Hue (which the experience warrants a separate entry later) and on the back of a motorcycle on our way back, it definitely is a road worth tripping.
View of the road and the South China Sea
The travel time from Danang to Hue takes around 2 ½ to 3 hours depending on your mode of transportation. There are the regular buses, mini-buses operated by tour cafes, motorcycles, rented cars and trains to choose from. But since I wanted to relax first after an almost 3 hours plane ride from Singapore we chose to go by the train first. We took the new SE train which is faster, but since we were seated on the left side, we weren’t able to see much of the view. And there were no stopovers.
Old French Fort at the highest point of Hai Van Pass
However on our way back, we rode on the back of a motorcycle and we were in control on when and where to stop. We traversed through the very curvaceous and sometimes narrow road known as the Hai Van Pass, which means “Pass of the Ocean Clouds”. The highway which also serves as a boundary between North and South Vietnam is located 1500m above sea level. Most of the time clouds and fogs descend on this road which can be dangerous during the rainy season. Fortunately for us, the weather was great and we were able to see the views in all its splendor and glory.
A passing train on the road
At the highest point of the highway you’ll pass by Hoang Duc Thu or the Old French Fort. This structure serves as a watch tower by the French since it gives an excellent 360 degrees view of the surrounding landscapes. Vietnamese and the Americans used this as well. But today, you may also want to use this to keep yourself distant from those aggressive souvenir vendors on the stopover stalls by the roadside.
Lang Co Fishing Village
Also in this highway, you’ll pass by this very idyllic community on a little patch of island where you’ll find the Lang Co fishing village. It’s a very scenic place and the beaches are a solitary paradise. It’s just a perfect stop to freshen up at its white sand beach or just stare at the amazing view of the sea and the mountains without too much crowded or annoying vendors around.
The solitary paradise of Lang Co Beach
Tags: Danang, Hai van Pass, Heritage, Structures, Transit, Vietnam
Posted on
Thursday, October 5th, 2006 at 11:16 pm 
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October 6th, 2006 at 3:42 am
white sand and lot of sun on the beach shot is fantastic and snaking road throug the valley is amazing view…love to go there:-)) thanks for sharing a great story…enjoy it so much:-))
October 6th, 2006 at 7:52 am
this is pretty awesome. i’ve been wanting to go to Vietnam, mostly because of Dalat. I’ve heard, they have the best place to sit and sip a mug of coffee.
October 6th, 2006 at 1:52 pm
waaahh ang ganda Ferdz, picture mo pa lang umaapaw na yung ganda sa mata ko what more pag nakarating pa ko diyan?
October 6th, 2006 at 2:14 pm
as usual, another set of great captures bro! kaka-engganyo pumunta ng vietnam
October 6th, 2006 at 3:42 pm
i love your pictures! gosh i wish i can take photos like you. thank you for visiting my blog. i will definitely go back here.
October 6th, 2006 at 4:06 pm
fav ko yung 2nd pic, kahawig ng mga scenery sa Indiana Jones. buti kahit nasa left side ka ng tren nakakuha ka pa rin ng magandang view, maganda ang composition. buti di ka natutulog sa biyahe kundi na miss mo itong interesting view na ito at nakuha mo ng maganda.
October 6th, 2006 at 4:08 pm
Hey, nice site Ferdz. What exactly do you do? Love the pictures!
October 6th, 2006 at 5:17 pm
Looks like the arc de triomphe in Paris.
Siguro in few years time, mas mayaman na ang vietnam.
October 7th, 2006 at 1:30 pm
Why don’t you become a journalist?
Interesting pictures and account of your trip!
Again, a new destination to add on my list of places to see before I die. I should start to hurry…
October 8th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
galing…. nice photos… wish i could go there…
October 9th, 2006 at 9:26 am
what a lovely beach you have on the last picture.
October 9th, 2006 at 1:11 pm
nice template… just passing by.
October 9th, 2006 at 2:49 pm
nice set of pics, i never pictured vietnam like that on my mind…
October 10th, 2006 at 5:30 am
interesting blog… nice pictures…
October 11th, 2006 at 1:30 pm
hi! im not sure pero if you’re watching amazing race i think pinakita yung Lang Co Fishing Village… naka-relate ako kasi narecall ko yung photos mo from your blog… *lol
God bless!
October 12th, 2006 at 3:15 am
Great pictures (again)! hehe… I love these landscapes where mountains meet the ocean.
October 13th, 2006 at 8:56 am
what an interesting road trip, you’re lucky that you were able to take the motorbike on your way back, more adventurous and more angles to take pics!
lol @ “aggressive souvenir vendors” — did it feel like you were back home? haha!
the last pic reminded me of san juan hehehe!