Hai Van, or Ocean Cloud Road to give it the English translation, passes through the eastern fringes of Bach Ma National Park and gives breathtaking vistas over the South China Sea. Explaining the reasoning behind inscribing Hai Van Gate on the national register, Hue Monuments Conservation Centre director Phan Thanh Hai said the structure was an architectural and historical gem.
The gate dates from the 1820s and was built during the reign of Nguyen emperor Minh Mang as a defence stronghold to stop marauders from attacking Hue. Since the opening of the Hai Van Tunnel in 2005, the 21km-long Ocean Cloud Pass is a tourist route only, albeit one visitors to Hue and Da Nang should definitely not miss out on.
Hue and Da Nang are the perfect stopovers on travels between the north and south of Vietnam. 12GO ASIA sells tickets to these cities from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and most other locations in the country.
Historic archway added to list of Vietnamese national monuments
News in Asia
A historic archway sitting beside one of central Vietnam’s most picturesque viewpoints has been designated a national relic. A little under 500 metres above sea level, the gate at Hai Van marks the topmost point of the mountain pass road from Da Nang to Hue.