Hai Phong

Locally known as "the city of flame flowers," Hai Phong serves as the primary port city of Northern Vietnam, boasting a blend of charming colonial-era architecture and tree-lined boulevards. In addition to its modern amenities and expansive shopping and recreational areas in the city center, Hai Phong also stands out as a tourist hub with scheduled ferry services to Halong Bay. Generally, the city is easily navigable, with all the must-see attractions conveniently accessible to travelers, making it a fantastic starting point for a day of exploration.

Highlights

• Enjoy a delicious coffee at outdoor tables, perfect for people-watching.
• Visit Do Son Beach, a popular resort town in Hai Phong since the era of French colonialism.
• Experience the unique "choi trau" festival (Do Son buffalo-fighting festival).
• Savor Hai Phong's specialties, such as "banh da cua" (crab noodle soup), "nem cua be" (sea crab spring rolls), and "banh duc tau."

Best time to visit

Located near the East Sea, Hai Phong experiences an inter-tropical monsoon climate. This includes a dry northeast monsoon from November to April and a warm southeastern monsoon from May to October. Each season brings its own unique landscapes, making Hai Phong a worthwhile destination year-round. The best time to visit is from November to March when the weather is ideal, offering a range of stunning views. The summer months are perfect for beach vacations.

Getting around

Getting around Hai Phong is straightforward, with major attractions easily accessible. Motorcycle taxis and the Grab app are popular and affordable options for sightseeing. If you opt for traditional motorcycle taxis, be sure to agree on the fare before starting your journey. Many hotels also offer motorbike rentals at approximately 120,000 VND ($5) to 150,000 VND ($6) per day. The city is serviced by several reputable taxi companies, including Hai Phong Taxi (0225.3.83.83.83 / 0225.3.73.73.73) and Mai Linh Taxi (0225.3.833.833).

To reach Do Son Beach, located about 20 km southeast of Hai Phong, you can take any bus that is marked for Do Son for around 18,000 VND. Additionally, ferries from Ben Binh station are an excellent option for traveling to Cat Ba Island, costing approximately $8 to $10.

City layout

Hai Phong is divided into 15 district-level subdivisions, comprising 8 rural districts and 7 urban districts. Among these, the districts most frequented by visitors include Do Son, Hong Bang, and Cat Hai.

Do Son: Once the favored summer retreat for King Bao Dai, Do Son features an extensive coastline along with numerous restaurants, cafes, and hotels, including a casino at the Do Son resort hotel.

Hong Bang: This district is the political center of Hai Phong, housing the People’s Committee headquarters at 18 Hoang Dieu Street in the eastern part of the district.

Cat Hai: This rural district is famous for Cat Ba Island, known for its rich biodiversity and high-quality hotels and restaurants. It attracts a significant number of international visitors, particularly from Asia.
Photo: wikidulich.org

Accommodation

Hai Phong often serves as a transit point for travelers moving between Hanoi and Cat Ba Island, resulting in a wide variety of accommodations. Visitors can choose from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels, all available at reasonable prices.

Dining

The street food scene in Hai Phong showcases an array of Vietnamese delicacies. The atmosphere is more relaxed than in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, with a strong emphasis on fresh seafood. Numerous seafood restaurants featuring point-and-cook tanks and beer establishments can be found along Quang Trung Street. Wander through the lively streets, and you'll discover many stylish cafes and bars with contemporary Western-inspired interiors.
Photo: coki.vn

Shopping

No visit is complete without picking up souvenirs, and Hai Phong offers numerous markets and shopping complexes to meet this need. A recommended spot is the TD Plaza, where you can browse and shop, including the Parkson Plaza Shopping Mall located within. Nearby, Big C supermarket provides a range of essential goods. If you're in search of unique gifts, the Cho Sat Market is the place to find handicrafts and accessories, including porcelain, ceramics, wood carvings, and silk products.
Photo: anhp.vn 

Travel tips

Phone and internet

Tourist SIM cards are widely available and inexpensive, with calls costing around 2,000 to 3,000 VND per minute. Note that mobile numbers in Vietnam have transitioned to a 10-digit format. Make sure to check prefix details before making calls, as this change was implemented in September 2023.

Some hostels may lack Wi-Fi, so it's advisable to obtain VietnamMobile's unlimited 3G SIM card, which costs about $5 for the card and an additional $3 per month for unlimited data access.

Money

While credit cards are becoming increasingly accepted, cash remains a preferred payment method for motorbike taxis and street food. It's wise to carry up to several million VND in cash while exploring the city.

Banner Photo by Phuong D. Nguyen / Shutterstock