HAI VAN PASS, Vietnam — The fort on top of Hai Van Pass sits 490 meters above the sea, and the stairs up to it leave visitors gasping for air.
- Height: 490 meters above the sea
- Fort built: 1826, by Emperor Minh Mang
- Restoration: three years, more than 42 billion dong
- Reopened: August 2024
- Entrance: 70,000 dong (about ₱150)
"Sea clouds"
Hai Van means "sea clouds." Mist sometimes rolls up from the ocean, and standing at the top can feel like standing in the sky.
A mountain as a dowry
In 1306 the whole area was given away as a wedding gift: the king of Champa married a Vietnamese princess, and the land was his dowry.
In 1826, Emperor Minh Mang built the fort to guard the road to Hue, the old imperial capital. French and Spanish forces tried to push through here and did not make it.
The French army later turned it into a military base, and the Americans moved in after them. Old bunkers can still be seen around the gate.
Ruin and restoration
For years the fort fell into ruin. It was restored over three years at a cost of more than 42 billion dong and reopened to the public in August 2024.
Entrance is 70,000 dong, about 150 pesos.
Video and photos: BNNO Travel.