WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN TRAVELING TO HAI PHONG?

Which season is best to visit Hai Phong? Hai Phong is suitable for tourism in all four seasons of the year. In summer, you can go to Do Son or Cat Ba beaches, or enjoy famous delicious dishes at restaurants in the city. In addition, summer is also the time when flamboyant trees bloom profusely along the central streets and the road to Do Son. In winter, Hai Phong will treat you to hot and delicious street food.

Hai Phong is a famous port city in Northern Vietnam, whose symbol is the flamboyant flower, hence it is also known as the "city of red flamboyant flowers". Tourism experiences in Hai Phong are diverse, ranging from street food to beaches.

Which season is the best time to visit Hai Phong?

Hai Phong is suitable for tourism in all four seasons. In summer, you can go to Do Son or Cat Ba beaches, or enjoy many famous delicious dishes at restaurants in the city. In addition, summer is also the time when flamboyant trees bloom profusely along the central streets and the road to Do Son. In winter, Hai Phong will treat you to hot and delicious street food.

Move

There are many ways to get from Hanoi to Hai Phong. By road, the most convenient way is via the Hanoi-Hai Phong expressway, taking approximately 1.5 hours. Trains offer various seating options, including hard and soft seats, with or without air conditioning, costing between 100,000 and 130,000 VND. Travelers can send their motorbikes along the train to ensure they have their own transportation in Hai Phong.

If traveling by coach, you can choose companies like Hoang Long or Anh Huy, with prices ranging from 120,000 to 135,000 VND. For more privacy and pick-up/drop-off services within the city, you can choose Hai Phong Travel, with prices ranging from 230,000 to 250,000 VND.

From Ho Chi Minh City, you can fly with Bamboo Airways, Vietnam Airlines, and Vietjet Air. Vietnam Airlines departs from Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon, while Bamboo Airways departs in the morning. Alternatively, travelers can fly to Hanoi and then travel by road.

Additionally, when visiting Hai Phong, if you need to rent a tourist vehicle, from 5-seater, 7-seater, 16-seater, 29-seater, or 45-seater cars, there are many reputable companies. Among them, Hai Anh Transportation is one of the leading companies in Hai Phong for tourist vehicle rental services, with a large and diverse fleet of new, modern, and high-class vehicles, along with professional service, courteous and serious drivers, and reasonable prices.

* Hai Anh car rental procedure:

• Customers can visit Hai Anh Tourism and Transportation Services Co., Ltd. at 280 To Hieu Street, Ho Nam Ward, Le Chan District, Hai Phong City, or call the Hotline and Zalo number 0818.890.890 to book a vehicle.

• Hai Anh's staff receive information, provide advice, and quote vehicle schedules to customers.

• Contract signing: After reaching an agreement, the customer will sign a car rental contract with Hai Anh Tourist Transport.

• Hai Anh Tourist Transport will inform the driver about the schedule.

• Hai Anh 's driver will arrive 30 minutes before the customer's scheduled departure time and take them to the exact location agreed upon in the contract.

• Drop off passengers at their designated locations and end the tour.

• The customer pays the full amount as stated in the contract and any additional charges (if any).

PRICE LIST FOR TOURIST CAR RENTAL SERVICES IN HAI PHONG (vantaihaianh.com)

Accommodation

For accommodation in central Hai Phong, you can consider upscale and luxurious hotels such as Hotel Nikko, Mercure Hai Phong, and Vinpearl Hotel Imperia, located in prime locations with easy access to various city attractions. Room rates range from 1.2 million to 2.5 million VND. More budget-friendly options include rooms in Vinhomes and Hoang Huy townhouses or homestays like Dreamland - Chihouse and Vancao Green Homestay, with prices starting from 250,000 VND per night.

Flamingo Cat Ba won the award for most favorite resort in 2021 in the "Most Livable Project" program. Photo: Resort

Hai Phong boasts several high-end beachfront resorts, primarily concentrated in Cat Ba. Flamingo Cat Ba Beach Resort, Hotel Perle d'Orient Cat Ba - MGallery, Nam Cat Island Resort CatbaBay, Monkey Island Resort... average prices range from 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 VND per night. Spending the night on a cruise ship in Lan Ha Bay is another unique option, costing approximately 3,000,000 to 6,000,000 VND per person per night.

Discover

Tourists often take photos with the train when it arrives at Hai Phong station.

Hai Phong Railway Station

This is the first check-in point for tourists choosing to travel by train from Hanoi to Hai Phong. The station bears the strong architectural imprint of the French and is considered one of the most beautiful train stations that the French left behind in Vietnam.

City Theatre

The Hai Phong City Theatre was built in 1904 on the site of an old market in the ancient village of An Bien and completed in 1912. The building was modeled after the Paris Theatre, with construction materials imported from France. Construction was carried out by Vietnamese workers and laborers under the direction of a French architect.

During the French colonial period, the Grand Theatre was the main political and cultural center for the French and wealthy locals. Only French troupes or famous domestic troupes were allowed to perform there, and only the wealthy could afford tickets. Today, it is a tourist symbol of the city, located in the center, regularly hosting cultural events and serving as a popular evening hangout for young people.

Hoang Van Thu Bridge and Tan Vu - Lach Huyen Bridge

The bridges

Hai Phong is known as the city of bridges. They are especially beautiful at night. The Binh Bridge , spanning the Cam River, connects the inner city of Hai Phong with Thuy Nguyen district and leads to Quang Ninh province. Its curved design enhances its architectural and aesthetic appeal. Also spanning the Cam River, the Hoang Van Thu Bridge, with its iconic "Seagull Wing" architecture, connects Hong Bang and Ngo Quyen districts with Thuy Nguyen district. The Hoang Van Thu Bridge is illuminated at night with an artistic LED lighting system in a variety of colors. Tourists and locals often come here to enjoy the breeze and take photos.

The Tam Bac Railway Swing Bridge , spanning the river, was started by the French in 1901. The bridge was designed with a central span that could rotate 90 degrees horizontally along the riverbank, ensuring smooth passage for ships and boats. Colorful road bridges were added to facilitate traffic flow. The newest bridge is the rebuilt Rao Bridge , topped with three red phoenix flower sculptures made of steel, a symbol of the city. The Tan Vu - Lach Huyen Bridge is the longest sea bridge in Vietnam... and many more new bridges are under construction throughout the city.

Valley of Despair

"Tuyet Tinh Coc" (Valley of Heartbreak) in Hai Phong.

A lake in Hai Phong is nicknamed "Valley of Love" by young people because of its strikingly blue water and the surrounding limestone mountains. Located in Trai Son village, An Son commune, Thuy Nguyen district, this lake, formerly known as Co Yem Lake, is notable for its vibrant blue color that covers a vast area of approximately 20 hectares. The intensity of the blue changes throughout the day, depending on the weather, making it an interesting and impressive spot for young people to take photos and check in.

Do Son

Do Son is divided into three areas, with area 2 dedicated to swimming and beach activities, and area 1 for dining and strolling. Along the coastal road, visitors can explore Hang Pagoda , traditionally believed to be the first place Buddhism was introduced to Vietnam; Ngoc Hoang Temple; and Van Ngang Temple. Tuong Long Pagoda, located on the highest peak in Do Son, offers panoramic views of the beautiful sea. Ba De Temple, on the way to Do Son, is also very famous and is dedicated to the wife of Trinh Chua.

Don't forget to visit Bao Dai's villa on the hilltop, offering breezy, four-directional views, even in the middle of summer. The villa is enveloped in the scent of frangipani flowers, creating a pleasant atmosphere for visitors. You can rent royal attire for photos here, at a price of 30,000 VND per person.

Dragon Hill Tourist Area & Tuong Long Pagoda in Do Son.

Do Son boasts entertainment and sightseeing areas such as Dragon Hill , Hon Dau Island , and a casino . Looking at the map, the Dragon Hill tourist area is designed in the shape of a phoenix flower – the city's symbol. The project includes a themed entertainment complex spanning nearly 25 hectares, themed around Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh; a 27-hole golf course with panoramic sea views; a lagoon system with modern water filtration technology; and fine white sand transported from Nha Trang.

Besides the above locations, Cat Ba is a "precious gem" of Hai Phong tourism that you cannot miss. Explore Cat Ba National Park, Lan Ha Bay, Cai Beo fishing village, Monkey Island , and enjoy activities such as scuba diving, kayaking, trekking, and savoring the most delicious seafood of the Northern region.

Hai Phong Food Tour 

Hai Phong is most famous for its street food. Tourists from other provinces often choose a day food tour to enjoy delicious Hai Phong dishes such as banh beo (steamed rice cakes), banh da cua (crab noodle soup), spicy banh mi (spicy bread), coconut jelly, spicy fish noodle soup, snails, chrysanthemum tea, sui din (a type of sweet soup), banh duc tau (a type of steamed rice cake)... Banh duc tau is a dish that sounds quite unusual to people from other provinces. It consists of small pieces of banh duc, diced papaya, and deep-fried shrimp and meat, all served with a spicy and sour fish sauce. Spicy banh mi is a popular souvenir because it's small, easy to carry, and is filled with steamed pate and dipped in spicy chili sauce.

Hai Phong Food Tour - A distinctive and impressive experience for tourists.

Some recommended places for delicious bun cha nem cua be (vermicelli with grilled pork and crab spring rolls) are at 92 Tran Nhat Duat and 32 Phan Boi Chau; banh beo (steamed rice cakes) is at 41 Le Dai Hanh; and banh mi cay (spicy bread) is at 28 Dinh Tien Hoang and 57 Le Loi. Don't forget to try the snails at Thuy Duong restaurant in alley 263 Lach Tray, which offers a variety of snails with sauces like salted egg, garlic butter, and tamarind stir-fry. In the evening, snacking on sunflower seeds or chestnuts while sipping a cold chrysanthemum tea is a truly "Hai Phong" experience, and on chilly days, don't forget the city's hot desserts.

The Lu pedestrian street

The The Lu Street food street also hosts street performances and music events.

The The Lu Street, running along the Tam Bac River, is 1,170 meters long and operates from 6 PM to midnight daily. The lights, music, and eye-catching scenery right next to the Tam Bac River create a unique atmosphere. To further attract locals and tourists, every weekend evening, the food street hosts street performances and music that blend modern and traditional styles, catering to the entertainment needs of residents and visitors.

Come visit Hai Phong - my city, which still has so many interesting things to offer!