Haïphong

October to April is the best time. The weather is cooler and drier, and sea views are clearer. The summer months from May to September are hot and humid, with typhoon risk from July to September. Beaches are busiest in June and July.

Winter from December to February can be cool and misty. Bring a light jacket for boat trips.

• Nhà hát Thành phố Hải Phòng is a French colonial opera house in the city centre, built in the early 20th century.
• Hai Phong Museum is the city museum, with displays on local history and the port.
• Lan Ha Bay is a quiet bay south-east of Cát Bà with limestone islands, beaches and kayaking routes.
• Hospital Cave is a large cave on Cát Bà Island. It served as a wartime hospital.

The city also has old French villas, pagodas and busy markets. Đồ Sơn, a beach town about 20 km from the centre, is a short day trip.

• Eat a street food crawl: The city is known for crab dishes, noodles and spring rolls.
• Take the ferry to Cát Bà: A scenic ride past fishing boats and limestone islands.
• Kayak in Lan Hạ Bay: Paddle between quiet islands and beaches.
• Walk the French quarter: Villas, the opera house and cafés line the streets.
• Visit Đồ Sơn beach: A short seaside break from the city.

• Cat Ba Island: a large island with beaches, caves and hiking, about 1 to 2 hours by ferry and road.
• Cat Ba National Park: the national park on Cát Bà, with forest trails and viewpoints.
• Ha Long Bay: the famous bay is east of the city and often combined with Cát Bà.
• Đồ Sơn: a beach town with a peninsula and hotels, about 30 min by car.
• Hanoi: about 2 hours by road.

• Island: Cat Ba Island is the main tourist destination of the area.
• Park: Cat Ba National Park protects forest and wildlife on the island.
• East: Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO-listed bay.
• West: Hanoi is the capital, linked by expressway.
• South: Ninh Binh has karst scenery and temples.

• By air: Cảng hàng không Quốc tế Cát Bi (HPH) has domestic flights and some regional routes.
• By road: An expressway links Hanoi and Hải Phòng. Buses and cars take about 2 hours.
• By train: Trains run from Hanoi in about 2 to 3 hours. Vietnam Railways
• To Cát Bà: Buses with a ferry or a speedboat link Hải Phòng and the island. Book a combined ticket where possible.

• Walking: The old French quarter is compact and walkable.
• Taxi and Grab: Easy in the city and good for Đồ Sơn.
• Motorbike taxi: Quick in traffic, but wear a helmet.
• Buses: City buses are cheap but slow.

• Is a car worth it? A car is useful for Đồ Sơn and the ferry piers. In the centre, taxis and Grab are easier.
• Roads: The expressway to Hanoi is fast. City traffic is dense.
• Parking: Hotels offer parking. Street parking is limited.

Hải Phòng is one of Vietnam's best food cities. The signature dish is bánh đa cua, a crab and rice noodle soup. Look for nem cua bể, crab spring rolls, and bánh mì cay, a small spicy baguette with pâté.

Seafood is fresh and cheap near the port. Street stalls open early and stay busy at night.

Hải Phòng is a safe city for visitors, but some points need care.

• Traffic is heavy. Cross streets slowly and steadily.
• Typhoons can close ferries from July to September. Check weather before you travel.
• Use licensed ferries and wear a life jacket on boats.
• Watch your bag in crowded markets.
• Drink bottled water and eat at busy stalls.

Hải Phòng grew as a port under French rule in the late 19th century. The colonial centre, with its villas and the opera house, dates from that time.

The port was bombed in the war and rebuilt afterwards. Today it is one of the largest ports in northern Vietnam.

Quick practical facts for Vietnam at a glance: