| Day 3 Lang Co to Danang, Vietnam - Over the Hai Van Pass Kilometers 42.4 Miles 26 |
| Cycle Touring Routes > Vietnam > Dong Ha to Nha Trang > Map > Day |
Ride/Road - South out of Lang Co we continued
south on Hwy 1 over the Hai Van Pass. The road
is sealed and the shoulder is narrow when going
over the pass or non-existent. It there is a shoulder
it is at times slanted and goes into the gully.
After the downhill past the Hai Van Pass the road
has a shoulder and is very populated with shops,
roadside restaurants, homes and vendors.
Passed one town after another.
.
Hills - Crossing the Hai Van Pass - It took us 1
hour and 29 minutes to pedal to the top of the Hai
Van Pass. Not a record time by any means, but
we were so happy to have made it all the way.
The pass is about 10 kilometers long and the
grade is 8%. There was no fog at the time we
climbed (7:50 a.m.) and visibility was great.
Plenty of spots to take pictures and have a rest.
Because of the newly built tunnel through the
mountain the vehicle traffic over the pass is very
light except for a handful of petrol trucks and a few
scooters.
There is no real shoulder while going over the
pass. The shoulder is very thin and when it does
appear it is on a slant that goes down into a deep
gully.
We were alone for much of the climb and this
allowed us to zig-zag into the road freely with no
danger.
Flat as a Pancake - After the long, steep and
exhilarating descent after the pass the rest of the
ride into Danang is as flat as a pancake.
We found ourselves on the outskirts of Danang
quicker than we expected. Danang has grown so
much that a new section of the city has sprouted
about 10 kilometers north of town. At this point the
highway is very build up with lots of stores,
restaurants and new hotels and the highway
became very congested with lots of vehicle and
scooter traffic.
Danang is a medium size city built along the Han
River. Most of the shops, restaurants and activity
are on the streets heading away from the river.
Some streets are very congested with traffic and
then we'd make a turn on to another street that was
completely empty.
The street along the river, Bach Dang, has a lovely
promenade with a wide sidewalk and nice view of
the river. The river road is a one-way street and
traffic is very light.
The Cho Han (market) just off the river road
between Hung Voung and Thai Hoc is famous for
its lively activity and variety. The market is great
example of a typical Cho (market) in Vietnam.
Fresh food vendors selling vegetables, fruit, bread
and flowers set up along the street on Hung Voung,
just outside the market and tiny shops surround the
entire complex that is one block long.
The vendor stalls inside the market sell chewy
candies, dried goods such as rice, beans,
Vietnamese coffee, tea, souvenirs, and everything
else imaginable. Most tours that come into
Danage from Hue to visit the Cham Sculpture
Museum also stop here.
There is also a large modern supermarket as you
enter town from the north. We found a vegetarian
restaurant one block from the river road on Nguyen
Thai Hoc Rd called An Lac. The sign is in English
and says Vegetarian.
The Cham Museum located in a beautiful historic
building on the river front. The museum is small
but it has several rooms full of beautifully carved
Cham sculptures from the My Son Ruins and other
Cham Cham civilizations throughout the country.
A great place to run is on the promenade along the
river. We had plenty of company as many locals
come here to do their exercise rituals that vary
significantly.
The welding job Rich got on his back braze-on in
Lao broke again as were entered Danang. He
bounced over the train tracks and his bike rack
broke off. He used zip ties to hold the rack in
place and I took his duffle pannier on my bike to
ease the weight. For the last 4 kilometers into
town the bike rack stayed in place until we arrived
at the hotel.
Rich unloaded his packs and pedaled around town
until he found a man welding a carnival ride in the
center of town. The man re-welded the braze-on to
his bike. He would not accept any payment for his
help.
Slept - Elegant Hotel
Location - On the river road.
Cost - $25.00 breakfast not included.
Amenities - Elevator, free WI/FI in the room. Large
room with two twin beds. Great shower with hot
water and tub. A/C, mini-bar and tea kettle. Staff
is very helpful and friendly. Everyone spoke fluent
English. Nice restaurant on 6th floor with great
view of the river.
Bikes were locked in the garage around the back
of the hotel in a gated area. Very secure.
south on Hwy 1 over the Hai Van Pass. The road
is sealed and the shoulder is narrow when going
over the pass or non-existent. It there is a shoulder
it is at times slanted and goes into the gully.
After the downhill past the Hai Van Pass the road
has a shoulder and is very populated with shops,
roadside restaurants, homes and vendors.
Passed one town after another.
.
Hills - Crossing the Hai Van Pass - It took us 1
hour and 29 minutes to pedal to the top of the Hai
Van Pass. Not a record time by any means, but
we were so happy to have made it all the way.
The pass is about 10 kilometers long and the
grade is 8%. There was no fog at the time we
climbed (7:50 a.m.) and visibility was great.
Plenty of spots to take pictures and have a rest.
Because of the newly built tunnel through the
mountain the vehicle traffic over the pass is very
light except for a handful of petrol trucks and a few
scooters.
There is no real shoulder while going over the
pass. The shoulder is very thin and when it does
appear it is on a slant that goes down into a deep
gully.
We were alone for much of the climb and this
allowed us to zig-zag into the road freely with no
danger.
Flat as a Pancake - After the long, steep and
exhilarating descent after the pass the rest of the
ride into Danang is as flat as a pancake.
We found ourselves on the outskirts of Danang
quicker than we expected. Danang has grown so
much that a new section of the city has sprouted
about 10 kilometers north of town. At this point the
highway is very build up with lots of stores,
restaurants and new hotels and the highway
became very congested with lots of vehicle and
scooter traffic.
Danang is a medium size city built along the Han
River. Most of the shops, restaurants and activity
are on the streets heading away from the river.
Some streets are very congested with traffic and
then we'd make a turn on to another street that was
completely empty.
The street along the river, Bach Dang, has a lovely
promenade with a wide sidewalk and nice view of
the river. The river road is a one-way street and
traffic is very light.
The Cho Han (market) just off the river road
between Hung Voung and Thai Hoc is famous for
its lively activity and variety. The market is great
example of a typical Cho (market) in Vietnam.
Fresh food vendors selling vegetables, fruit, bread
and flowers set up along the street on Hung Voung,
just outside the market and tiny shops surround the
entire complex that is one block long.
The vendor stalls inside the market sell chewy
candies, dried goods such as rice, beans,
Vietnamese coffee, tea, souvenirs, and everything
else imaginable. Most tours that come into
Danage from Hue to visit the Cham Sculpture
Museum also stop here.
There is also a large modern supermarket as you
enter town from the north. We found a vegetarian
restaurant one block from the river road on Nguyen
Thai Hoc Rd called An Lac. The sign is in English
and says Vegetarian.
The Cham Museum located in a beautiful historic
building on the river front. The museum is small
but it has several rooms full of beautifully carved
Cham sculptures from the My Son Ruins and other
Cham Cham civilizations throughout the country.
A great place to run is on the promenade along the
river. We had plenty of company as many locals
come here to do their exercise rituals that vary
significantly.
The welding job Rich got on his back braze-on in
Lao broke again as were entered Danang. He
bounced over the train tracks and his bike rack
broke off. He used zip ties to hold the rack in
place and I took his duffle pannier on my bike to
ease the weight. For the last 4 kilometers into
town the bike rack stayed in place until we arrived
at the hotel.
Rich unloaded his packs and pedaled around town
until he found a man welding a carnival ride in the
center of town. The man re-welded the braze-on to
his bike. He would not accept any payment for his
help.
Slept - Elegant Hotel
Location - On the river road.
Cost - $25.00 breakfast not included.
Amenities - Elevator, free WI/FI in the room. Large
room with two twin beds. Great shower with hot
water and tub. A/C, mini-bar and tea kettle. Staff
is very helpful and friendly. Everyone spoke fluent
English. Nice restaurant on 6th floor with great
view of the river.
Bikes were locked in the garage around the back
of the hotel in a gated area. Very secure.