In the past, the journey from Hanoi to Hai Phong took about two and a half hours by car. Since the Hanoi-Hai Phong Expressway (CT.04) was opened in 2015, it has become possible to arrive in about an hour to an hour and a half. However, this time, we would like to introduce an eco-friendly way to travel using trains and bicycles instead of cars or motorcycles. Why not try something different and experience a truly travel-like journey?
It boasts the largest trade port in Vietnam
Hai Phong leading the economic growth rate
Haiphong is one of the centrally-controlled cities directly under the control of the Vietnamese government. It is located about 1 km east of Hanoi and can be reached mainly by car or bus. Here is an introduction to the basic information about Haiphong City.
Hai Phong is the largest port city in the north, established on July 19, 1888. Besides Hai Phong Port and Lach Huyen Port, which are important bases for maritime transportation, there is also Cat Bi Airport, which was upgraded to an international airport in 2016, making it an economic city with well-developed land, sea, and air transportation networks.
Fire trees, also known as Hoahouon (Hoa Phuong) flowers, are planted throughout the city’s streets. The season runs from May to June, and this time of year the city turns red, making it known as the “City of Fire Trees.”
How to get to Haiphong
If you’re heading from Hanoi city, buses and taxis are the most convenient options; the journey takes between one and a half to two hours. There are also trains to Haiphong (more details on the next page). There is an international airport in the city, and it’s easy to get there from Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.
From Hanoi
Bus: From the Zaram (Gia Lam) bus terminal to the Cau Rao bus terminal, a one-way trip by Hai Au company's high-speed bus costs 130,000 VND.
Taxi: About VND 1.3 million one way.
From Danang
By plane: From Da Nang Airport to Cat Bi Airport, about 3 million VND round trip with Vietjet Air.
From Ho Chi Minh City
By plane: From Tan Son Nhat Airport to Cat Bi Airport, about 3 million VND round-trip with VietJet Air.
Go to Haiphong by train!
You should also check out the app that allows you to book a bicycle.
Hai Phong has now opened a highway from Hanoi, making it easy to visit by car or bus. However, why not try taking a train journey that is full of emotion once in a while? Here, we will teach you how to take a train journey that is not well known to Japanese people.
Trains to Haiphong depart from Hanoi Station or Long Bien Station. You can purchase a one-way ticket for 104,000 to 124,000 VND using the electronic payment app “MOMO,” which can be downloaded from the iOS and Play Store. If you want to save even more money, you can visit the official website of the company that operates the train, Duong Sat Viet Nam (https://dsvn.vn)が、8万5000～10万5000VNDで予約できるためおすすめです。
The earliest departure time from Hanoi Station is the 6 a.m. train. The journey takes about 2 hours and arrives at Haiphong Station at 8:25 a.m. If you are returning to Hanoi for a day trip, the last train leaving for Haiphong Station to Hanoi departs at 18:40 p.m., arriving at Hanoi Station at 21:26 p.m.
Before arriving at Haiphong Station, be sure to download the “TNGo” app, a dedicated bike rental app that allows you to explore the city by bicycle. Once you register your account, you will be asked to make a deposit to use the service. There are options for one-way rides for 5,000 VND for 30 minutes, 50,000 VND for 1 day (7.5 hours), and 150,000 VND for 1 month (60 hours).
Through the app, you can find the nearest cycle port from your current location. Each bicycle is equipped with an ID and is locked with a smart lock. Return is at a designated location, and you simply tap "Tra Xe" (Return of Bicycle) in the app.
Recommended sightseeing routes for beginners in Haiphong
From Hai Phong Station, walk to ① Vuon Hoa Nguyen Van Troi Park (Vuon Hoa Nguyen Van Troi) and rent a bicycle. Across the park is ② Nha Hat Thanh Pho Hai Phong. Continue about m on Dinh Tien Hoang Street and you will see ③ Bao Tang Hai Phong Park. When you reach Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, turn left and go towards ④ Central Post Office (Buu).
Dien Trung Tam Thanh Pho) from there, go south on Hoang Van Thu Street and you will see the Hai Phong Cathedral.
There is (Nha Tho Chinh Toa Hai Phong). Finally, head towards Tam Bac Street and down the Tam Bac River. In the evening, you can see the beautiful sunset.
Let's go on a rental bike tour!
Hoi An sightseeing spots
Hoi An, the capital, is hidden away in Ha Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a less-visited destination. However, there are many popular tourist attractions in Hoi An. Here are our recommended facilities and restaurants that you should definitely visit once.
Hai Phong Museum / Bao Tang Hai Phong
The Haiphong Museum, a representative colonial-style building in the city, is a long-standing institution that opened in December 1959.
The building itself was built in 1919 and was also the headquarters of the Franco China Bank during the French colonial era.
The museum mainly showcases the history of the port town, with exhibits covering an area of approximately 1 ha. There are a whopping 20,000 items on display. The museum is divided into 16 rooms, with the first floor showcasing relics from the feudal era, and the second floor displaying exhibits illustrating the city's development process.
Address: 66 Dien Bien Phu, Hong Bang, Hai Phong
Open: 8:00～11:00／14:00～17:00
Days off: Saturday and Sunday afternoon, Monday
Price: Free
Hai Phong Opera House / Nha Hat Lon
The Haiphong Opera House was built in 1904 and completed in 1912. It is known as the main cultural and political center of the city.
Because it is a Baroque-style building designed by a French architect, it retains strong characteristics of the French colonial era. On the second floor of the auditorium, there are a large hall and nearly 10 meeting rooms of various sizes.
Address: 28 Tran Hung Dao, Hoang Van Thu, Hong Bang, Hai Phong
Central Post Office / Buu Dien Trung Tam
The Haiphong Central Post Office was built in the year 2000. It has been used as a post office since its construction, and despite several renovations in the past, its architectural design remains the same. The characteristic Indo-Chinese style is strongly retained, with the doors being dark green and the entire building being covered with tiles.
The body is painted yellow.
Address: 5 Nguyen Tri, Minh Khai, Hong Bang, Hai Phong
Banh Da Cua Quan Ba Cu
The signature dish of Hai Phong is the banh dau cua (snail soup noodles). This is said to be where they first served this dish. Banh dau cua has a history of over 50 years and costs 40,000 VND. You can fully enjoy the rich soup and the sweetness of fresh crab meat. We recommend ordering it with Nem Cu Bae (1 piece VND 10,000), spring rolls stuffed with Hai Phong crab.
Address: 179 Cau Dat, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong
Phone: 090-466-6053
Open: 7:00～22:00
Hoa Oc
A local restaurant serving seafood dishes that offers a wide selection of fresh clams, shrimp, oysters, and other shellfish. They also serve various dishes such as porridge and fried spring rolls. Some of the dishes include “Oyster Onion Roast/Hau Nuong Mo Hanh” (70,000 VND) and “Shrimp Salted Egg Sauce/Oc Huong Sot Trung Muoi” (150,000 VND).
Address: 69 May To, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong
Phone: 093-659-3131
Open: 10:00～22:00
Banh Mi Cay
This famous shop serves the characteristic spicy and small banh mi of Haiphong. The price for a single piece is only 2,500 VND. It is hot and crispy, and comes with a special sweet and spicy sauce.
Address: 37 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hong Bang, Hai Phong
Phone: 098-337-9674
Open: 7:00～22:00
Dua Dam
This is a small stall specializing in the coconut dessert "Dua Dam" (25,000 VND). The coconut aroma is strong and not too sweet, and you can also taste the fresh coconut kernels themselves.
Address: 124 Lach Tray, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong
Phone: 093-428-2190
Open: 7:00～23:00
Cafe Co-Tu Dua
The famous coffee shop "Cafe Co Tu Dua" (25,000 VND) combines coconut milk and coffee with dried coconut and glass jelly. Their "Coconut Avocado Ice Cream" (38,000 VND) and "Coconut Dessert Duo" (25,000 VND) are also popular.
Address: 148 Luong Khanh Thien, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong
Phone: 094-640-6668
Open: 8:00～22:00
Number 1986 Coffee / No. Coffee
This popular cafe has a modern and unique design that appeals to young people. The three-story building with its airy spaces and many plants is characterized by its harmony with nature. The menu offers a wide variety of drinks and desserts, and the popular ones include the “Matcha Latte Float/Iced Matcha” (60,000 VND) and the “Mango Tea Macchiato/Mango Tea Macchiato” (60,000 VND).
Address: 33 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hong Bang, Hai Phong
Phone: 090-880-1986
Open: 7:00～23:00
