This active port city on Vietnam's northeastern coast has French colonial buildings, traditional markets, and coastal islands. Home to ancient temples and local street food stalls.
Haiphong, Vietnam's major northern port city, sits where the Cấm River meets the Gulf of Tonkin. Walk down streets shaded by century-old banyan trees to find the Du Hang Buddhist temple, the neoclassical Opera House, and cargo ships loading at the commercial docks. You'll smell grilled seafood from the Tam Bac market stalls, while ferries departing to Cat Ba Island carry hikers and beach-goers across the bay.
Getting to Haiphong
Cat Bi International Airport connects Haiphong with daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City and several international destinations. From Hanoi, trains depart Long Bien station multiple times daily, taking about 2.5 hours to reach Haiphong. The modern Highway 5B connects Hanoi to Haiphong in two hours by car or bus, with frequent departures from Luong Yen station.
Exploring the City Center
Hundred-year-old banyan trees and magnolias create natural canopies over downtown Haiphong's streets. The 1904 Opera House and former Bank of Indochina building showcase French neoclassical architecture. At Central Square (Quang Truong), you'll see locals playing badminton and practicing tai chi in the evenings. Walk along Dien Bien Phu and Tran Phu streets to find cafes in restored colonial buildings.
Local Food Scene
In the Do Son district, restaurants prepare seafood caught the same morning. Try bánh đa cua, a distinctly local soup combining red rice noodles and fresh crab meat in a pork-and-crab broth. Around Tam Bac lake, street vendors prepare bún cá (fish noodle soup) and nem cua bể (square crab spring rolls). Along Lach Tray Street, you can taste cơm cháy hải sản - rice crisped on a hot pan and topped with stir-fried seafood.
Beaches and Islands
Take a local bus from Lach Tray Street to Do Son Beach, 20 kilometers southeast of the city. The beach stretches for 3 kilometers, with small food stalls and local restaurants along the shore. For Cat Ba Island, catch a ferry from Ben Binh port. The island has 15 kilometers of hiking trails leading to mountain viewpoints, and small fishing villages where you can watch boats bring in the daily catch.
Climate and Timing Your Visit
October to December sees clear skies with temperatures around 25°C (77°F) and average rainfall of 50mm per month. Summer (June-August) brings temperatures up to 33°C (91.4°F) with afternoon thunderstorms lasting 1-2 hours. Winter months from December to February average 14-20°C (57-68°F) with occasional drizzle and overcast skies.
