Hải Vân Pass
The Hải Vân Pass (Vietnamese: Đèo Hải Vân, IPA: [ɗɛ̂w ha᷉ːj vən], 'ocean cloud pass'), is an approximately 21-kilometre (13 mi) long mountain pass on National Route 1 in Vietnam. It traverses a spur of the larger Annamite Range that juts into the 'East Sea' (Biển Đông, known as the South China Sea in English), on the border of Đà Nẵng and Thừa Thiên–Huế Province, near Bạch Mã National Park. Its name refers to the mists that rise from the sea, reducing visibility. Historically, the pass was a physical division between the kingdoms of Champa and Đại Việt.
| Hải Vân Pass | |
|---|---|
| Đèo Hải Vân | |
An overhead view of the pass | |
| Location | Vietnam |
| Range | Annamite Range |
| Coordinates | 16°12′N 108°8′E |
Location of the Hải Vân Pass in Vietnam | |
The twisting road on the pass has long been a challenge for drivers traveling between the cities of Huế and Đà Nẵng. Since the completion of Hải Vân Tunnel, traffic flow and safety have improved. The pass has been the scene of at least two of Vietnam's most serious rail accidents, and at least one air crash.