Hai Van Pass or Road Tunnel: Comparing Routes from Da Nang to Hue
Two roads cross the Hai Van range between Da Nang and Hue: a 6.28 km tunnel and the pass of about 21 km. The rate table does not say which one its 100 km, 2 hours 30 minutes applies to.
Table of Contents (5 sections)
From Da Nang to Hue there are two roads over the Hai Van range: the road tunnel, 6.28 km long, and the old pass road of about 21 km. Sun Travel’s rate table lists Da Nang to Hue at about 100 km and 2 hours 30 minutes but does not say which road that time applies to, so choosing the road is something to state when you book. This guide helps you decide by fixed times, weather and the purpose of the trip rather than by instinct.
Two roads, by the facts that have a source
| Criterion | Hai Van road tunnel | Hai Van pass |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 6.28 km, opened 5 June 2005 | about 21 km, about 500 m high |
| Sightseeing stop | Not a place to visit | Hai Van Quan, built in 1826 at about 496 m |
| Effect of weather | Less than the pass | More; heavy rain can cause landslides |
| Time | Not listed separately in the rate table | Not listed separately; usually longer because of stops |
Sources: the Da Nang city portal and the news agency Vietnam News Agency (the tunnel); Traveloka, Vietnam News Agency and Wikipedia (the pass, Hai Van Quan and the boundary between two climate zones), checked on 30 September 2026. No public source gives an exact driving time for each road, so this guide does not quote minutes.
When to default to the tunnel
The tunnel suits a trip with a fixed time at either end, such as a flight, a train or a hotel check-in, because it depends less on weather than the pass. It is also the sensible default when someone in the car is prone to car sickness, since the pass has many continuous bends; this is an editorial judgement, not a measured figure. If you have an early flight or must reach Da Nang at a set hour, count back as described in when to leave Hue for Da Nang, Hoi An or the airport.
When the pass is worth driving
The pass is worth driving when you have time and want to see Hai Van Quan, the point that marks the boundary between two climate zones according to travel sources. The rate table has two related programmes for comparison: a half-day tour from Da Nang over the Hai Van pass and back, about 4 hours, and a full-day Da Nang, Hai Van pass, Lang Co, Hue tour of about 120 km running 8:00 to 18:00. See the half-day Hai Van pass car tour and the Da Nang, Hai Van, Lang Co and Hue day car tour. If you only want to stop for the view on the way to Hue, the guide to the Hai Van pass scenic drive by private car shows how to place the stops.
Weather: the rainy season is the time to choose carefully
Typhoon and heavy-rain weather in Central Vietnam usually falls between about September and December, peaking in October and November. On 13 October 2023, according to VnExpress, the Hai Van pass had landslides at several points after heavy rain, five of them on the Da Nang side, and both ends of the road were blocked. This is an example of the kind of risk a mountain road carries, not a forecast for the day you travel. When a heavy-rain warning is issued, ask dispatch about the alternative before your travel date. Who decides to switch to the tunnel in bad weather should be confirmed when you book, not assumed.
What to say to dispatch when you book
- Your pickup, your drop-off and the time you must be in Hue or Da Nang.
- Whether you want the tunnel, the pass, or dispatch’s suggestion based on the weather that day.
- Whether there are stops, for example Hai Van Quan or Lap An lagoon at Lang Co.
- The number of passengers, anyone prone to car sickness, the number of suitcases and the 4-, 7- or 16-seat vehicle.
The base rate for each route includes fuel, road tolls and parking fees on the listed route; stops, waiting time and the pass (if different from the default) are set out in the quote. For route rates see the guide to the rates for a private car from Da Nang or Hoi An to Hue.
Common questions about choosing the Hai Van pass or tunnel on the way to Hue
How long is the Hai Van tunnel, and how long is the Hai Van pass?
According to the Da Nang city portal, the tunnel is 6.28 km long, opened on 5 June 2005 and replaced the old pass road of about 21 km. The pass is about 500 m high according to public travel sources.
Is the Hue rate in the rate table for the pass or for the tunnel?
The rate table lists Da Nang to Hue at about 100 km and 2 hours 30 minutes but does not say which road that applies to. State your choice when you book so dispatch can confirm the route and the time.
Does driving the Hai Van pass cost more than the tunnel?
The rate table does not quote a difference between the two roads. If a pass trip needs more time or stops, those items are set out in the quote or trip confirmation before you set off.
Should we choose the pass during the typhoon season?
Typhoon weather in Central Vietnam usually clusters between about September and December. The pass has had landslides after heavy rain (for example on 13 October 2023), so when a warning is issued ask dispatch about the plan and who decides to change roads.
If I have a flight from Da Nang, should I take the tunnel or the pass?
With a fixed time such as a flight, default to the steadiest option and add the pass only if time remains. Take the airport arrival time set by your airline, then subtract the driving time and a buffer.
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