VN · Hai Phong · 20.87°N 106.68°E

haiphong

Port city of crab noodle soup and the jump-off point for Cat Ba.

Best time
Spring (March to April) and autumn (September to November) are the most pleasant. Summer is hot and stormy, and winter is cool and grey. In May and June the city's flame trees bloom red.
How long
1–2 days, more with Cat Ba
Getting there
Fly from KL to Hanoi (about 3 hours 20 minutes), then about 1.5–2 hours by expressway. Trains from Hanoi take about 2.5 hours.
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VN · Hai Phonghaiphong20.87°N 106.68°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Port city of crab noodle soup and the jump-off point for Cat Ba.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingHaiphongVN, Hai Phong
KLhaiphong
≈ 2,044 km from KL, as the crow flies
Sông Cấm Hải Phòng Về Đêm năm 2025

Photo: HP1992 · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Vietnam's third-largest city and its main northern port, with French-era buildings and a food scene locals are proud of. Many visitors use it as the gateway to Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay.

Makan

  1. Bánh đa cuaFlat red rice noodles in a field crab broth, the city's signature.Map ↗
  2. Bánh mì caySkinny little baguettes stuffed with pâté and chilli.Map ↗
  3. Nem cua bểSquare spring rolls packed with sea crab.Map ↗
  4. SeafoodFresh from the port, at restaurants around town and on Cat Ba.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Cat Ba IslandBeaches, hiking and a national park, reached by boat from the city.Map ↗
  2. Lan Ha BayLimestone islands like Ha Long Bay's, with kayaking and fewer boats.Map ↗
  3. Haiphong Opera HouseThe French colonial opera house at the heart of the old centre.Map ↗
  4. Du Hang PagodaAn old pagoda with fine carved woodwork in a quiet corner of the city.Map ↗
  5. Do SonA beach and headland southeast of the city, popular with locals.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Cat Ba gets very busy on summer weekends with domestic tourists, so go midweek if you can.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.