16 January, Lang Co to Hoi An, 71km
Nhat Huy Hoang Hotel 210,000VND

We cycled the beautiful Hai Van Pass (Sea Cloud Pass) today, 10km up and 10km down. We last cycled the pass in 2009 on Charl’s 60th birthday. I was disappointed to find that my favourite road sign in all Vietnam has since been removed from the summit. It read: Sloppy road, Drive slowly. The pass dropped us into Danang, Vietnam’s third biggest city. The first US troops landed here in 1965; 3,500 marines arrived on “China” beach in full battle gear, to be greeted by girls in traditional ao dais, bearing flowers. The city is vibrant and often attractive. At its southern end we came across several stonemasons, their sculptures ranging from religious to modern, larger than life and wonderfully displayed in one case in an attractive garden. Then on to Hoi An, a Unesco World Heritage town, and fabulous. We could not believe how much more of the town is now devoted to the tourist industry than when we last were here. Pizza for dinner – yum. 

Lang Co from Hai Van Pass

Hai Van Pass

Hai Van Pass

Hai Van Pass - 2009 road sign

Hai Van Pass - rock in road

Danang

Danang - China beach

Danang - stonemasons

Danang - stonemasons