Preserving and promoting the value of Hai Van Pass historical site

Hai Van Pass has long been praised as the "most magnificent pass in the world" thanks to its majestic natural beauty and strategically important military location. Serving as a landmark connecting the North and South Central regions of Vietnam, this historical site possesses unique historical and architectural value. Therefore, on July 14, 2017, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognized Hai Van Pass as a National Historical and Architectural Art Monument.

Hai Van Pass is built at an altitude of 490m on the majestic Hai Van mountain. It is a military fortress, one of the most impressive mountain passes in Vietnam. Hai Van Pass is located in Lang Co town, Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province and Hoa Hiep Bac ward, Lien Chieu district, Da Nang city; approximately 90km north of Hue city center and 28km south of Da Nang city center. Hai Van Pass holds significant cultural and historical value and is a famous scenic spot, contributing to the tourism development of Thua Thien Hue province and Da Nang city in particular, and Central Vietnam in general. Hai Van Pass will be an important landmark connecting the North and South Central tourism regions.

Throughout history, Hai Van Pass has witnessed many fierce battles in the struggle to defend the country. At the same time, this historical site has also suffered heavily from extremely harsh weather conditions with heavy rainfall and intense sunshine, leading to serious deterioration. Recognizing the value of Hai Van Pass, the authorities of the two localities have assessed it as a unique tourism resource with potential for regional connectivity and a potential "gold mine" if managed and exploited scientifically and effectively. Therefore, the two localities have made a "historic handshake" to revive the site through the classification and implementation of a restoration and preservation project for Hai Van Pass. This restoration project focused on the comprehensive restoration of the architectural structures, aiming to recreate the beauty and historical value of the monument.

Beginning on December 19, 2021, and now completed after three years, the project to preserve, restore, and promote the value of the Hai Van Pass National Monument has been finished. This project is an invaluable shared asset, a symbol of the good relationship and cooperation between Hue City and Da Nang City. It also serves as an important foundation for both sides to continue coordinating in the preservation and promotion of the monument's value in the future.

Through this project, Hue and Da Nang have established a model of exemplary work in heritage restoration and preservation. In addition, Hue City has implemented activities to serve and attract tourists, such as piloting a check-in platform to record the presence of tourists at the Hai Van Pass National Monument. Currently, the two cities are also promoting the application of smart technology and digital transformation; increasing investment in infrastructure and facilities to serve the promotion of the value of the Hai Van Pass National Monument, such as deploying 3D technology and providing free Wi-Fi coverage at tourist attractions to help visitors learn more about heritage values ​​and stay updated on available services and amenities during their visit to the Hai Van Pass National Monument; the two cities, together with the Road Management Area, are organizing traffic on National Highway 1 section through Hai Van Pass; implementing supporting projects, especially in the logistics and service area such as parking lots, standard public restrooms, and souvenir display spaces for visitors…

With its unique architecture and immense historical and military value, the Hai Van Pass National Monument, with its "one-of-a-kind" location, has been attracting domestic and international tourists to visit and admire it. The management, preservation, and promotion of the historical, cultural, and natural values ​​associated with the Hai Van Pass National Monument is an extremely important task, contributing to the socio-economic development of Hue and Da Nang cities.

The project to preserve, restore, and promote the value of the Hai Van Pass monument has been completed and put into operation. This is a testament to the great efforts and a symbol of solidarity between the two localities in working together. It is hoped that in the future, Hai Van Pass will become a meaningful tourist route, an attractive cultural and historical destination for domestic and international tourists to visit and learn from; so that Hai Van Pass tourism will truly make a positive contribution to the socio-economic development of Da Nang and Thua Thien Hue provinces, becoming an indispensable stop on the "Central Vietnam Heritage Route".