The Hai Van Pass sits between Da Nang and Hue and it is, without exaggeration, one of the best stretches of road in Southeast Asia. The climb from the Da Nang side takes you from sea level to 496 meters in about 6 kilometers of switchbacks, with the South China Sea spread out below you on one side and jungle-covered mountains on the other. The documentation reality: the Hai Van Pass connects two provinces — Da Nang and Thua Thien-Hue — and there are police presence points at both ends. Officers specifically check foreign riders because the pass is a known tourist route. Da Nang itself has car rental operations at the airport requiring standard IDP documentation for foreign nationals. The coastal road from Da Nang south toward Hoi An — the Marble Mountains route — is a more relaxed drive and genuinely beautiful. Digital IDP on WhatsApp in 2 hours; physical booklet delivered before departure.
Driving International Association (DIA) is a private independent travel documentation support platform providing International Driving Permit (IDP) assistance and multilingual translation support services. DIA is not affiliated with any government authority, RTO, DMV, or licensing agency. Travelers should verify local regulations independently and always carry a valid domestic driving license.
The southern end of the Hai Van Pass — the Da Nang entry point — has a small documentation point building that is consistently staffed. Officers here see foreign riders daily and are experienced at the documentation check. The northern end near the Hue province boundary is less consistent but still sees checks on weekends. Have everything ready at the beginning of the climb rather than searching through your bag at the top.