South Hai Van Pass - Climb Segment

The South Hai Van pass 9.1km climb with 5%^ gradient is popular for road cyclist as it features a long climb segment and amazing views of the mountain and coastline. Underneath the pass is the Hai Van tunnel, a safer 6.5km tunnel that connects Danang and Hue City.

At the peak you will see the Hai Van Museum opened from July 2024 and series of coffee shops and souvenir shops. They sell water, energy drink, fruits and lots of things at the peak. The last elbow to the pass the locals call "Cua Cùi chỏ" or Crab's Elbow features an inclined elbow with short 10-14% gradient and the view area provides the best view of the bay.

a reference Segment is the BuddiesRide / South Haivan Pass

South Hai Van Pass - Route Breakdown

Distance: 9.1km

Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/26970726

Type: Mountain (465M elevation gain)

Average Gradient: 5%^. You pace between constant 2-9% of slope with small 1-2% sections along the way.

Route Start: Across the Lien Chieu bridge passing the superhighway (under construction)

End: Hai Van Pass Museum

Landmarks:

KM0.1 Elevated Superhighway construction

KM5.8 Lonely Pine Tree. A single tree on the edge and a view deck nearby

KM6.5 A Complex Coffee shop with bridges and view off the coast.

KM7.3 GenZ Coffee Shop. If you see them you know this is the place.

KM8.7 Cua Cùi chỏ or Crab's Elbow KM9.1 Hai Van Museum

Best Time to ride:

05:00 - 09:00 AM Morning. Best time to go with less traffic. Watch out of young kids on motorbike and ride carefully. Stay on lane and expect medium size cargo truck and Oil carriers pass through here.

5:00 - 7:00 PM Afternoon-Evening. However going here in the afternoon expect some traffic as there are people working from province pass through the pass to get home.

Local Tip:

• On cloudy season, you may get a 1% chance to witness a cloud waterfall near the Crab Elbow

• If you are on touring ride, don't hesitate to stop. The view is amazing after all.

  
  

Things to do after climbs:

• Drink coffee or re-fuel fluids at the cafe'

• Visit the Hai Van Museum. Ask the cafe' owner or friend to watch your bike.

• GO INSIDE THE COFEE SHOP! They usually have a view deck for LangCo bay esp. those shops in the north side.

Competition held by Local groups

• Hai Van KOM by VCL Group (December)

• HTV Cup Hue-Danang Stage - KOM at Hai Van pass (April)

• Last 20km of Danang Gran Fondo Event (September)

Pros:

• Breathtaking views while climbing

• Good for climb intervals

• Rare to high chance to see the "Queen of primates" the Red Duc monkeys

Cons

• Climb may be difficult for amateur. Just bring a motorbike to explore or scout first.

• Medium size trucks and oil/fuel carriers go through this road

• Time and time again I see young motorbike riders go up the pass to have coffee with view. Saw a couple crash over cycling for 2 years cycling with some riders descending very fast and panicking when see a huge truck ahead

Per KM Experience:

KM1

KM0.0 - Elevated Superhighway construction KM2.0 - Pass through with view of the Da Nang bay over and under you is an oil refinery. KM4.2 - An amazing view of the north Hai Van beach will greet you

KM5

KM5.8 - Almost there and you will see the "Lonely Pine Tree". A single tree on the edge of a cliff and a view deck nearby where tourist go and take their snaps.

KM6.5 A Complex Coffee shop with bridges and view off the coast. You will see a lot of pine trees along the way from here.

KM7.3 "GenZ" Coffee Shop. I call it that way because a lot of GenZ high schoolers and college students have coffee here and taking a view in the morning. If you see you will know what I'm talking about.

KM8.1 Last Steep climb. 6-9% gradient 600m climb KM8.7 Climb through the Cua Cùi chỏ or Crab's Elbow. Be careful of big trucks going down. This will be followed by a steady 2-3% climb to the peak

KM9.1 Congrats you have reached the peak and see the Hai Van Museum.

Finally. Check your brakes. Go down carefully another 9.1KM down from your starting point.