The central city of Da Nang has made plans to invest in a new tourist site at the top of the Hai Van Pass in order to lure domestic and foreign tourists, vice director of the city's culture, sport and tourism department, Tran Chi Cuong has said.
People driving over the pass used to take a break at a number of souvenir shops covering an area of over 1,000sq.m. However, since the Hai Van tunnel was put into operation in 2005 this tourist area has been downgraded.
"Over the past seven years most vehicles have travelled through the tunnel, vacating the pass. It is mostly large tankers or tourists on adventure motorbike tours drive over the top nowadays," Cuong said.
"However, the pass – which is 20km long and is situated 500m above the sea level – still attracts 1,000 tourists each day. Despite this, the area lacks service facilities and standard and secure rest stops for tourists," he said.
He added that the city will speed up work on development of the tourism site and co-operate with Thua Thien-Hue travel agencies to boost tourism along the scenic, zigzagging road from next year.
Apart from the stunning views, there are sites of historical interest for visitors to see. The top of Hai Van Pass, which is a frontier between Thua Thien-Hue Province and Da Nang City still boasts the historic brick-built Hai Van Gate from the time of the Tran dynasty.
Adventurers journeying across the pass can also stop to explore an octagonal bunker, built by French in 1826.
In 1470, King Tran Nhan Tong proclaimed that Hai Van was "the most marvellous wonder".
Da Nang has hosted 2.1 million tourists over the past nine months, of which 475,000 were foreigners.