What is the longest road tunnel in Vietnam?
Longest road tunnel in Vietnam: 6.28km record
The Hải Vân Tunnel, spanning 6.28 km, is Vietnam's longest road tunnel. It provides a safer and faster alternative to the Hải Vân Pass, cutting travel time from over an hour to just 10-15 minutes between Đà Nẵng and Huế.
Key Takeaways
Vietnam's Longest Road Tunnels at a Glance
While Hải Vân holds the top spot, two other major tunnels serve Vietnam's north-south traffic corridor. Each plays a crucial role in bypassing dangerous mountain passes.Hải Vân Tunnel (⭐ Longest)
2005 (first tube), January 2021 (second tube)
Between Đà Nẵng and Thừa Thiên Huế on National Route 1
Reduces crossing time from 60+ minutes to 10-15 minutes
6.28 km (first tube), 6.286 km (second tube)
Deo Ca Tunnel
August 2017
Between Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa provinces
Cuts crossing from 60 minutes to about 10 minutes
4.125 km (4.1 km in most sources) [6]
Cù Mông Tunnel
January 2019
Between Phu Yen and Binh Dinh provinces
Reduces crossing from 30 minutes to about 6 minutes
Approximately 2.6 km (exact figure varies by source)
Hải Vân Tunnel remains Vietnam's undisputed longest road tunnel, beating Deo Ca by over 2 kilometers and Cù Mông by nearly 4 kilometers. However, Deo Ca deserves recognition as the longest tunnel built entirely with domestic Vietnamese investment and expertise. For most travelers driving the north-south route, you'll encounter all three tunnels if you stay on National Route 1 through central Vietnam.A Backpacker's Lesson: Don't Assume the Tunnel Lets Motorbikes Through
Tom, a 26-year-old traveler from Australia, arrived at the Hải Vân Tunnel's north entrance on a rented Honda Win at 4 PM. He'd crossed the Hải Vân Pass twice already and wanted to try the tunnel for a change. The guard waved him to a stop. No motorbikes allowed. Tom's heart sank - he had a bus to catch in Đà Nẵng by 7 PM.
First attempt: He considered riding the pass anyway. But clouds were rolling in, and locals warned him the pass gets dangerous after dark. Second attempt: He asked about the shuttle. The guard pointed to a small waiting area where half a dozen other frustrated riders sat on their bikes.
The breakthrough came when an older Vietnamese man explained the system in broken English - you pay, they load your bike onto a truck, you ride in the truck's cabin through the tunnel. Simple once you know. Tom paid VND30,000, waited 25 minutes, and watched a worker skillfully roll his bike onto a flatbed.
Total crossing time: 40 minutes including wait. Cost: less than $1.50 USD. Tom made his bus with 15 minutes to spare. His takeaway? Next time he'll research tunnel restrictions before arriving, but the shuttle works fine in a pinch.
Additional Information
Can I ride my motorbike through the Hải Vân Tunnel?
No - motorbikes, bicycles, and pedestrians are completely banned from the tunnel. However, a 24/7 shuttle service can transport your bike on a truck for VND25,000-30,000, with you riding in the cabin. The wait is usually 15-30 minutes.
How much does it cost to drive a car through Hải Vân Tunnel?
As of 2021, standard cars and vehicles under 12 seats pay VND110,000 (about $4.50 USD) per trip. Larger vehicles up to 30 seats pay VND160,000. Toll booths accept cash at both ends.
Is Hải Vân Tunnel still the longest in Southeast Asia?
Not anymore. Singapore's 12.46 km Kallang-Paya Lebar-Marina Central Expressway tunnel now holds the Southeast Asian record. Hải Vân [7] remains Vietnam's longest road tunnel by a significant margin.
Which is better - Hải Vân Tunnel or the old mountain pass?
The tunnel saves 45-60 minutes and is safer, especially at night or in bad weather. The pass offers spectacular coastal views featured on Top Gear (BBC). Most travelers ride the pass for scenery, then use the tunnel for return trips if short on time.
Content to Master
Hải Vân Tunnel is Vietnam's longest road tunnel at 6.28 kmNo other road tunnel in the country comes close - Deo Ca is second at 4.1 km. The tunnel has operated since 2005 with a second tube added in 2021.
Motorbikes require the shuttle service - no exceptionsDon't show up expecting to ride through. Budget an extra 30-45 minutes and VND30,000 for the truck transport. The shuttle runs 24/7 from waiting areas at both ends.
Tolls are reasonable but cash-onlyCars pay VND110,000 (under $5 USD). No cards or electronic payment accepted as of 2021. Keep small bills ready.
The tunnel saves 45-60 minutes versus the mountain passThat's time you could spend exploring Đà Nẵng's beaches or Huế's imperial citadel instead of gripping handlebars on a foggy mountain road.
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