Hai Phong
Đồng bằng sông Hồng
Floating fish farms in Lan Ha Bay · Quang Nguyen Vinh · Pexels License
A dynamic port city with Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay, and classic beaches beneath the red flame trees.
Hai Phong is the city of red flame flowers, the North's gateway to the open sea, home to one of the country's busiest seaports. Here the beauty of Cat Ba's islands, the dreamy Lan Ha Bay, and the familiar Do Son beaches all come together. Hai Phong's street food is renowned, with crab noodle soup, spicy bread, and sea-crab spring rolls captivating every diner. The open-hearted, hospitable people of the port city give this lively coastal hub its own special charm.
Best time to visit: April to September
Local specialties
- Crab noodle soup
- Spicy bread
- Sea-crab spring rolls
- Cat Ba seafood
Places (3)
Cat Ba Island
The largest island in Lan Ha Bay, with primeval forest, crystal-clear beaches, and majestic limestone bays.
Do Son Beach
Northern Vietnam's classic seaside resort, with rustling casuarina trees, gentle waves, and a famous buffalo-fighting festival.
Lan Ha Bay
Ha Long's quieter neighbour: hundreds of limestone islands and small sand beaches hidden behind the cliffs.