Me Pia Pass – the terrifying 14-story mountain pass in Vietnam

17/02/2023 marcopoloasia

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Me Pia Pass – the terrifying 14-story mountain pass in Vietnam

The Me Pja Pass is also called “the 14-storey mountain pass in Vietnamese (đường đèo 14 tầng). It owes this name to the 14 turns in the road.

You will find this mountain pass in the province of Cao Bang, one of the northern provinces in Vietnam that is better known with the Ban Gioc Waterfallthe largest and most impressive waterfall in the country. The road through the Me Pja pass is about 2.5 km long and is one of the winding roads in northeastern Vietnam. Construction of this road started in 2009 and completed in 2011.

Where is Me Pia Pass?

Me Pia Pass in Cao Bang is located on Highway 4A, connecting the Xuan Truong commune to Bao Lac district – a border district adjacent to China. This pass is 2.5km long, including 14 winding floors with sharp bends, low elevation flanked by high mountains.

While Việt Nam’s four famous great peaks of the northwest — Mã Pì Lèng, Khau Phạ, Pha Đin and Ô Quy Hồ — have long been marked out by backpackers as indispensable places to visit, they pose a challenge for even the most skilful of drivers.

Though these passes are particularly scary, it is actually the 14-section Mẻ Pia Pass in Cao Bằng which has attracted the most attention. It is considered the most dangerous pass in the northeast, and is a surefire bet for adrenalin-junkies feeling adventurous.

The Mẻ Pia Pass is located on National Highway 4A, connecting the Xuân Trường Commune in the centre of the Bảo Lạc border district of Cao Bằng Province. With a length of up to 2.5km, the 14 sections of the pass form sharp, steep turns and descend rapidly with two high mountains on both sides.

Many people cannot remember the exact name of Mẻ Pia, so often they simply call it the 14-storey pass, as from the foot of the pass to the top they encounter 14 steep bends.

According to locals, the pass has been here since the French colonial period, though initially just as a rugged narrow road for horses. Then in 2011, it was replaced by an asphalt road about 5 metres wide.

Me Pia Pass - the terrifying 14-story mountain pass in Vietnam Cao Bang tourism

The majestic beauty of the Meo Pia passes in Cao Bang

According to the locals, the Me Pia pass dates back to the French period. In the past, this was a horse-drawn trail, the most expansive place only about 40cm. In 2009, the road was started and completed in 2011.

Me Pia Pass is the most dangerous road in the Northeast. With its good bends, this pass makes even the most experienced drivers bewildered.

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How to conquer Me Pia Pass?

Unlike other mountain passes in Vietnam, such as the Ma Pi Leng pass in Ha Giang, the Tram Ton Pass at Sapa and the Hai Van pass between Hue and Hoi An, you have to do a little more effort to get to the viewpoint.

A sign on the side of the road on top of the Me Pja pass that is hung by locals indicates the path how to get to the viewpoint. You can park your car or motorbike at the small restaurant opposite of the forest entrance. You can buy a drink and possibly hire a guide here too.

Restaurant at the top of the pass

The beginning of the path to the viewpoint

To then get to the majestic panorama viewpoint you have to walk on a forest path. The path leading to the panoramic view of the Mo Pia pass is not that difficult, but can be a bit slippery after raining. The path is well cleared and there are markings on stones showing the route.