Hai Phong

Hai Phong is the third largest city of Vietnam in South East Asia.

Hai Phong has good hydrofoil and ferry links to Halong Bay, Cat Ba Island and many popular islets nearby.

The Municipal Theatre can be found in the city centre and was built in 1904 in a French design. There is a large square outside with a lovely flower garden, water fountains and lights.

Nghe Temple, located not far from the Municipal Theatre, started off as a small shrine but was later rebuilt and expanded and has long been an important religious site for many local worshippers.

Cat Ba Island is located about 50km to the east of Hai Phong. Beaches and tropical green forests are the main attractions of this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

Do Son Beach is situated between the Van Uc and Lach Tray Rivers, 22km from the southwest of Hai Phong City. It was a popular resort town for the French and influential Vietnamese during the colonial days. Do Son is famous for having the only casino in the country as well as its traditional annual Buffalo Festival (around September/October).

Du Hang Buddhist Temple (Du Hang Kenh Ward, Le Chan District) dates back to the 17th century and has seen several reconstructions over the years. It features a pagoda, bell tower, many carvings of guardians, Buddha images and gardens with a bonsai collection. Visitors should be respectfully dressed when entering any religious sites in Vietnam.

Hang Kenh Communal House (aka Nhan Tho Communal House) is located in Du Hang Kenh Ward, Le Chan District not far from Du Hang Pagoda. It was built in 1717 as a communal house and is used as a temple. The pavilion houses many interesting items such as dragon images and statues and many important festivals and religious ceremonies are held here each year.

Museums in the area include the Naval Museum (Kien Thuy District, opposite the Navy Hotel),
the Military Zone III Museum (Kien An District) and Hai Phong City Museum (city centre). Check in advance for opening days and times as these vary.

The area along Dien Bien Phu Street and Tran Hung Dao Street is known as the Colonial Quarter and has some interesting French-style architecture.

Tam Bac Lake is located not far from the old colonial quarter and is a nice place to relax. Visitors will see a flower market or quán hoa at the eastern side of the lake. Within easy walking distance from the lake area stands the Le Chan Woman General Statue, the founder of Hai Phong. The brass-cast statue weighs 19 tons, one of a heaviest statues in the country.

Bo Nau is one of the many caves in Halong Bay and a popular visitor attraction. It features many stalactites and cracks in the ceiling of the cave allow light to shine through.

Boat and coach trips are another way of exploring the surrounding areas.

There are many chances to shop in Hai Phong. Parkson Plaza Shopping Mall is located in Thuy Duong Plaza. Cho Sat Market and along downtown’s Tran Phu Street is a good place to hunt for gifts and souvenirs such as wood carvings, lacquer ware, porcelain, ceramics and silk. Hai Phong is also known for its high-quality tapestries and carpets.

Traditional Vietnamese dishes include many types of noodle soup, 'Cơm chiên Dương Châu' (fried rice), 'bánh bao' (steamed bun dumpling stuffed with onion, mushrooms or vegetables) and 'bò kho' (meat and vegetable stew). Fish and seafood dishes are also popular and many Western favourites are given a Vietnamese spin, such as pizza, sandwiches and steaks.

The port of Haiphong is around 1½ miles from the centre of town.

Tri-shaws and taxis are usually available outside the main gate.