Things to Do in Hai Phong, Vietnam for All Types of Traveler

Hai Phong may not be the first destination that comes to mind in Vietnam, but that’s part of its charm. Beyond the busy port city lies a destination filled with hidden beaches, island escapes, local street food, and outdoor adventures…, there are plenty of things to do in Hai Phong Vietnam for every kind of traveler. This guide breaks it all down by traveler type so you can plan a trip that fits perfectly.

1. For the First-Time Visitor: Hai Phong's Greatest Hits

For the First-Time Visitor: Hai Phong's Greatest Hits

If you’re visiting it for the first time, these are the essential things to do in Hai Phong Vietnam that showcase the city’s culture, coastline, food, and nearby natural attractions.

1.1. Visit Hai Phong City

Start at the Hai Phong Opera House, then walk along Dien Bien Phu Street for historic buildings and local cafes. Stop by local markets for a glimpse into daily city life or food, and visit Du Hang Pagoda, one of Hai Phong’s oldest temples. 

1.2. Enjoy Do Son Beach

About 21 km from the city center, Do Son Beach is Hai Phong’s popular seaside getaway. The area features three connected beaches, seafood restaurants, and a relaxed local atmosphere that feels more authentic than overly touristy. Spend the day swimming, enjoying fresh grilled seafood, or simply relaxing by the coast. The best time to visit is from April to September.

1.3. Day-Trip to Cat Ba Island & Lan Ha Bay

Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay are easily the top attractions near Hai Phong. Just 30–45 minutes away by ferry or speedboat, Cat Ba offers beaches, hiking trails, and boat tours through the stunning limestone scenery of Lan Ha Bay. Compared to Ha Long Bay, the area feels quieter and less crowded. While a day trip is possible, staying overnight lets you enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful sunrise views.

2. For the Adventure Seeker: Get Moving

For the Adventure Seeker: Get Moving

Hai Phong and its surroundings pack in a surprising amount of outdoor adventure, and most of it sits within a 2-hour radius of the city center.

2.1. Kayak Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay has roughly 139 small beaches tucked between its limestone islands, many accessible only by water. Kayaking lets you slip through narrow karst passages into hidden lagoons, drift past floating fishing villages, and reach beaches where the only footprints are yours. Most full-day Lan Ha Bay tours include kayaking as part of the package, but you can also rent kayaks independently from Cat Ba Town's harbor. 

2.2. Rock Climb Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba has become one of Southeast Asia's top rock climbing destinations for the limestone karst towers rising straight from the sea, offering dramatic vertical routes with extraordinary views. Most routes are on the cliffs above Lan Ha Bay, accessible by boat. There are options for complete beginners (guided half-day introductions) through to multi-pitch routes that will challenge experienced climbers. Asia Outdoors, based in Cat Ba Town, is the pioneering operator and offers well-organized climbing trips with qualified guides. 

2.3. Trek Cat Ba National Park

Covering more than half of Cat Ba Island, Cat Ba National Park protects one of the last remaining habitats of the critically endangered Cat Ba langur. The park's trails range from short nature walks to full-day jungle treks that summit Ngu Lam Peak (322 m), offering panoramic views over the bay and the island's interior forest. Entry requires a guide for most routes; arrange one at the park headquarters near Trung Trang village. Carry water, start early, and watch for leeches in the wet season. 

2.4. Conquer Voi (Elephant) Mountain

Less visited than Cat Ba's trails and closer to Hai Phong city, Nui Voi (Elephant Mountain) in Thuy Nguyen District offers a half-day hike with rewarding views of the surrounding countryside and waterways. The trail is steep in sections but manageable, and the summit pagoda adds a cultural dimension to the physical effort. This is a good option if you want a morning hike without committing to the Cat Ba ferry. 

2.5. Explore Tuyet Tinh Coc

One of Hai Phong's more quietly spectacular natural attractions, Tuyet Tinh Coc (also written Tuyết Tình Cốc) is a complex of small lakes, grottoes, and cave pagodas set into a limestone hill in Thuy Nguyen District, about 25 km from the city center. The site remains off the mainstream tourist trail, which means you'll likely share it only with domestic visitors and have a more authentic experience as a result. 

3. For the Foodie: Eat Your Way Through Hai Phong

For the Foodie: Eat Your Way Through Hai Phong

For food lovers, one of the top things to do in Hai Phong Vietnam is simply eating your way through the city’s famous local dishes, seafood restaurants, and bustling street food alleys.

3.1. Bánh Đa Cua

If you eat only one thing in Hai Phong, make it this. Bánh đa cua (red rice noodle crab soup) is the city's signature dish and a point of fierce local pride. Thick, chewy red-tinted noodles made from rice and a small amount of taro sit in a deeply savory broth built on freshwater crab paste, pork ribs, and dried shrimp. 

3.2. Nem Cua Bể

Nem cua bể are Hai Phong-style saltwater crab spring rolls that is different from the freshwater crab version (nem cua đồng) common elsewhere in the north. The filling combines sea crab meat with wood ear mushroom, glass noodles, and seasoning, wrapped in rice paper and deep-fried until burnished and crisp. 

3.3. Bánh Mì Que

Hai Phong has its own take on the Vietnamese baguette. Bánh mì que (literally "stick bread") is a slimmer, crispier variant of the standard bánh mì, which is typically about 30 cm long, with a shattering crust and soft interior. 

3.4. Bánh Đúc Tàu

Less well known outside Hai Phong but well worth seeking out, bánh đúc tàu is a Chinese-influenced savory rice cake dish that reflects the city's historical Cantonese trading community. Soft, smooth rectangles of steamed rice flour cake are served in a flavorful broth with pork, wood ear mushroom, and dried shrimp, topped with fried shallots and fresh herbs. 

3.5. Seafood

For a more robust evening meal, opt for Hai Phong's de facto seafood strip. Restaurants here display their catch on ice outside the door: mantis shrimp, clams, blood cockles, tiger prawns, mud crabs, squid, and whatever came off the boats that morning. Prices are significantly lower than comparable seafood in Hanoi or Ha Long's tourist restaurants, and the quality is excellent given the proximity to the sea. 

3.6. How to Join a Local Food Tour?

If you want a more organized introduction to the city’s cuisine, joining a guided local food tour is a great way to start your trip. Several operators offer walking tours through Hai Phong’s market streets and hidden alleys, with stops at well-known local eateries and street food spots. With a half-day food tour typically costing around $20–35 USD per person, you can also explore top 10 dishes on Hai Phong food tour for ideas on what to eat.

4. For Families with Kids: Fun for All Ages

For Families with Kids: Fun for All Ages

Families planning their itinerary will also find many relaxing and kid-friendly things to do in Hai Phong Vietnam, especially around Cat Ba Island and the coastal areas.

4.1. Do Son Beach

For families traveling with younger children, Do Son is the most accessible beach option. The water is calm and shallow near shore, the beach is wide enough to spread out, and the surrounding town has plenty of ice cream shops, seafood restaurants, and low-key amusements. 

4.2. Monkey Island, Cat Ba

Monkey Island (Dao Khi) is exactly what the name promises: a small island near Cat Ba Town populated with semi-wild macaques who have adapted cheerfully to human visitors. For children, encountering monkeys in a semi-natural setting is usually a highlight of the entire Vietnam trip. Boats to the island leave from Cat Ba harbor and the round trip takes a couple of hours.

4.3. Cat Ba Cable Car

Opened in recent years, the Cat Ba Cable Car connects Cat Ba Town to the peak of a forested hill, offering sweeping views of the bay and surrounding islands. The ride itself is the attraction as cable car journeys tend to fascinate children in a way that adult reasons for the destination rarely do.

4.4. Vinpearl Horse Academy, Vu Yen Island

Located on Vu Yen Island, accessible by bridge from central Hai Phong, Vinpearl Horse Academy is part of the larger Vu Yen Island development and offers horseback riding experiences targeted at families and beginners. The facility is well-maintained, and guided horse-riding sessions for children are available at various levels.

5. How to Plan Your Trip to Hai Phong?

Hai Phong is easy to visit thanks to its convenient connections from Hanoi and other major cities in northern Vietnam. Before you go, it helps to understand the best Hai Phong transportation options, ideal travel seasons, and how much time you’ll need to explore the city and nearby attractions like Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay.

5.1. Getting There

• From Hanoi: The most convenient overland option is the express train (roughly 2.5 hours, with multiple daily departures from Hanoi Gia Lam station) or the expressway by private car or limousine bus (approximately 1.5 hours on a good day). 
• By air: Cat Bi International Airport (HPH) serves Hai Phong with direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and a small number of international connections. If you're flying into the north specifically for Hai Phong or Cat Ba, consider flying into Cat Bi rather than Noi Bai (Hanoi) to save 2 hours of overland travel.
• From Ha Long Bay: High-speed boats connect Tuan Chau (Ha Long City) with Cat Ba Island; from Cat Ba, ferries and buses connect to Hai Phong. This route allows a logical loop: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Cat Ba → Hai Phong → Hanoi.

5.2. Getting Around

Within the city, ride-hailing apps (Grab, Be) are the most convenient option and far less hassle than negotiating with xe om (motorbike taxi) drivers. Fares in Hai Phong are cheaper than in Hanoi. For longer trips to Do Son Beach or Thuy Nguyen District, hiring a car for the day through your hotel or a reputable agency (around 600,000–900,000 VND or $25–40 USD for a full day) gives flexibility without commitment.

For Cat Ba Island, the standard route involves a combined bus-ferry ticket from Binh terminal in Hai Phong. The journey takes about 30–45 minutes depending on which ferry you take. On the island, motorbike rentals (around 100,000–150,000 VND or $4–6 USD per day) are the preferred way to explore; electric bikes are increasingly available and a good option for less confident riders.

5.3. Best Time to Visit

The optimal window for Hai Phong and Cat Ba is April to June and September to November. During these months, temperatures are warm but not brutally hot, humidity is manageable, and rainfall is lower than the peak wet season.

July and August are hot and humid, with typhoon risk increasing; beaches can also become crowded with domestic tourists during this period. December to February brings the northern winter: cool, often misty, with occasional rain. Cat Ba Bay takes on a moody, atmospheric quality in winter that has its own appeal for photographers, but it's not ideal for swimming or kayaking. Do Son Beach is really only viable for swimming from late April through September.

5.4. How Long to Stay

• 1–2 days: You can cover the city highlights, a Do Son beach half-day, and a fast day-trip to Cat Ba. You'll be moving, but it's doable.
• 3–4 days: The right amount of time. Spend a proper day in the city, a full day at Do Son or exploring Thuy Nguyen, and 2 nights on Cat Ba, allowing one day tour in cruise for Lan Ha Bay and one for trekking or kayaking.
• 5–7 days: The relaxed version. Add hiking at Cat Ba National Park, an afternoon at Tuyet Tinh Coc, a serious food tour, and evenings watching the harbor from Quang Trung Street. You won't run out of things to do in Hai Phong, and you'll leave feeling like you actually understood the place.

6. Final Thoughts

Hai Phong may not be the most famous destination, but there is no shortage of memorable things to do in Hai Phong Vietnam. The city combines local street food, historic architecture, authentic daily life, and easy access to the stunning islands and limestone scenery of Lan Ha Bay. For travelers looking beyond the usual tourist trail, explore tours, transportation, and local travel experiences with Joytime to make your northern Vietnam adventure smoother and more memorable.