When planning a trip to Vietnam, most travelers immediately think of Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, or Ha Long Bay. But if you are looking for somewhere less touristy where you can experience a more local side of Vietnam, Hai Phong is well worth adding to your Northern Vietnam itinerary.

Hai Phong is one of Vietnam’s major port cities, with French-influenced architecture, historic temples, traditional neighborhoods, and a distinctly local atmosphere. Venture beyond the city center and you can also explore coastal destinations such as Do Son and Cat Ba Island.

Thanks to its convenient connections with Hanoi and other destinations in Northern Vietnam, Hai Phong works equally well as a standalone destination or as part of a longer journey through Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and the surrounding region.

This guide covers some of the best things to do in Hai Phong, from city-center attractions and cultural landmarks to beaches and islands, along with a suggested one-day itinerary for first-time visitors.

What Is Hai Phong Like?

Located in Northern Vietnam, Hai Phong is one of the country’s most important port and industrial cities. With convenient transportation from Hanoi, it can easily be visited on its own or included as a stop on a longer Northern Vietnam itinerary.

Compared with Hanoi’s tourist-heavy Old Quarter, central Hai Phong feels noticeably more local.

Walk through the city and you will find Vietnamese shops, cafés, markets, historic buildings, and streets filled with everyday life. The overall pace also tends to feel more relaxed than in Vietnam’s busiest tourist destinations.

Location is another major advantage of visiting Hai Phong.

Head southeast and you can reach the coastal area of Do Son. If islands and nature are more your style, continue toward Cat Ba Island. Travelers already planning to visit Ha Long Bay can also incorporate Hai Phong into a broader Northern Vietnam route.

Depending on how much time you have, possible itineraries include:

• Half a day in central Hai Phong
• One full day in Hai Phong
• Hai Phong and Do Son in one day
• Hai Phong and Cat Ba Island over two or more days
• A multi-day Northern Vietnam trip combining Hai Phong and Ha Long Bay

Must-Visit Attractions in Central Hai Phong

If this is your first time in Hai Phong, there is no need to head straight out of town.

The city center itself has several interesting places for sightseeing, photography, and casual walks. Many attractions are relatively close to one another, making them easy to combine into a single itinerary.

Hai Phong Opera House

Hai Phong Opera House (Nhà hát lớn Hải Phòng) is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks and a great place to begin exploring central Hai Phong.

The building shows a strong French architectural influence, while the surrounding streets and square form an important part of the city center.

Visit during the day to appreciate the architectural details, then return around sunset or after dark to see the area take on a different atmosphere under the city lights.

If you are unsure where to begin your first walk through Hai Phong, the Opera House area makes a convenient starting point.

Central Hai Phong Streets

Some of the most memorable parts of Hai Phong are not ticketed attractions at all.

Walk through the streets surrounding the Opera House and you will come across older buildings, local shops, cafés, and scenes of everyday Vietnamese life.

For travelers interested in street photography or experiencing the local character of a Vietnamese city, simply wandering through these neighborhoods can be one of the most enjoyable things to do.

Avoid packing your itinerary too tightly. Leave some time to explore without a fixed route, stop for a Vietnamese coffee, and enjoy a side of Hai Phong that feels distinctly different from Vietnam’s more tourist-oriented cities.

Hai Phong Railway Station

Hai Phong Railway Station (Ga Hải Phòng) is more than just a transportation hub. Its historic architecture also makes it an interesting stop in the city center.

If you arrive by train from Hanoi, take a moment to look around the station before heading into town.

Even if you are not traveling by rail, the station is worth a quick visit if you enjoy historic buildings, train travel, or street photography.

It is also conveniently located near central Hai Phong, making it easy to combine with the Opera House and nearby streets.

Historical and Cultural Attractions in Hai Phong

To understand Hai Phong beyond its streets and architecture, consider adding a museum or temple to your itinerary.

These places offer a closer look at the history, beliefs, and cultural traditions that have shaped the city over time.

Hai Phong Museum

Museums are often one of the easiest ways to gain a quick introduction to a city.

Hai Phong Museum (Bảo tàng Hải Phòng) houses exhibits related to local history, culture, and the development of the city. The building itself also has a historic character.

Travelers interested in Vietnamese history or the development of Hai Phong as a port city may find it a worthwhile addition to a city-center itinerary.

Opening days and hours can change, so check the latest information before visiting.

Du Hang Pagoda

Du Hang Pagoda (Chùa Dư Hàng) is one of Hai Phong’s notable historical and religious sites.

Compared with the busy streets of central Hai Phong, the temple offers a quieter atmosphere and an opportunity to see traditional Vietnamese Buddhist architecture and religious spaces.

For travelers unfamiliar with Vietnamese temple culture, it can provide a very different experience from the city’s conventional sightseeing attractions.

When visiting religious sites, dress respectfully, keep your voice down, and be considerate of people who are there to worship.

Nghe Temple

Nghe Temple (Đền Nghè) is another worthwhile stop for travelers interested in Hai Phong’s local beliefs and cultural heritage.

Instead of focusing only on popular photo spots, you can combine temples, the museum, and historic streets into a cultural walking route through central Hai Phong.

Beaches, Nature, and Islands Near Hai Phong

Hai Phong’s appeal extends well beyond the city center.

Thanks to its coastal location and proximity to several islands, travelers with more time can easily add beaches and natural scenery to their itinerary.

Do Son

Do Son (Đồ Sơn) is one of Hai Phong’s best-known coastal areas.

As you travel from central Hai Phong toward Do Son, the scenery gradually shifts from busy urban streets to a more relaxed seaside setting.

It is a good place for coastal walks, ocean views, and seafood. If you do not have enough time to visit an island but still want to include the sea in your Hai Phong itinerary, Do Son is one of the easier options.

Rather than squeezing it into an already busy city itinerary, consider setting aside around half a day for the area.

Cat Ba Island

If you have at least two days, Cat Ba Island (Cát Bà) is worth considering.

One of the most popular island destinations associated with Hai Phong, Cat Ba combines mountains, forests, bays, beaches, and outdoor activities.

Active travelers can go hiking, join boat trips, or explore the surrounding bays. Those looking for a more relaxed getaway can focus on comfortable accommodation, fresh seafood, and sea views.

If natural scenery is one of the main reasons for your trip to Northern Vietnam, combining central Hai Phong with Cat Ba Island offers a much more varied experience than staying in the city alone.

Best Places for Photography in Hai Phong

Hai Phong offers plenty of variety for travelers who enjoy photography.

For European-influenced architecture and urban scenes, explore the Opera House and surrounding streets. For a more historic atmosphere, look for the railway station, temples, and older buildings. For natural landscapes, head to Do Son or extend your trip to Cat Ba Island.

Everyday street life is also one of Hai Phong’s most photogenic features.

Motorbikes, street-food stalls, cafés, aging buildings, and Vietnamese signs come together to create scenes that capture the rhythm of daily life in the city.

Instead of chasing only popular social-media photo spots, try wandering down smaller streets in the city center. You may find that these unscripted scenes produce some of your favorite photos from Hai Phong.

How to Spend One Day in Hai Phong

If you only have one day in Hai Phong, focus primarily on the city center rather than trying to fit too many out-of-town destinations into your schedule.

Start the morning at Hai Phong Railway Station, then continue to the Opera House and surrounding streets. Afterward, visit the museum or one of the city’s temples.

At lunchtime, stop at a local restaurant to try some Hai Phong specialties. Spend the afternoon exploring more of the city and take a break at a Vietnamese café.

After sunset, return to the city center for dinner before exploring Hai Phong’s nightlife and entertainment options.

A simple one-day itinerary could look like this:

Morning: Hai Phong Railway Station → Hai Phong Opera House → Walk around the city center

Lunch: Try local Hai Phong food

Afternoon: Hai Phong Museum → Du Hang Pagoda or Nghe Temple → Coffee break

Evening: Dinner → Nightlife and entertainment in central Hai Phong

If Do Son is a priority, reduce the number of city-center attractions and dedicate around half a day to the coast instead.

Where Else Can You Visit Around Hai Phong?

Once you have explored the main attractions in Hai Phong, there are several nearby destinations worth adding depending on the length of your trip.

For an easy seaside escape, visit Do Son. For island scenery and a more nature-focused getaway, spend some time on Cat Ba Island. First-time visitors to Northern Vietnam may also want to include Ha Long Bay in their overall itinerary.

For example, with three days and two nights, you could spend one day exploring central Hai Phong and another two days on Cat Ba Island.

With a longer trip, start in Hanoi and connect Hai Phong with Cat Ba Island or Ha Long Bay for an itinerary that combines urban culture with some of Northern Vietnam’s best-known natural scenery.

That flexibility is one of the advantages of visiting Hai Phong. It is not only a destination in its own right, but also a useful base for exploring the eastern part of Northern Vietnam.

What to Do in Hai Phong at Night

After a full day of sightseeing, the evening is a chance to experience a different side of Hai Phong.

The city center has a variety of restaurants, cafés, spas, and entertainment venues. You can keep things relaxed with seafood followed by coffee, or explore busier parts of the city if you want a livelier night out.

For travelers looking for indoor entertainment, 777 Club is another option for experiencing Hai Phong after dark and adding something different to a day of traditional sightseeing.

777 Club address:
12 Lạch Tray, Lê Lợi, Lê Chân, Hải Phòng, Việt Nam

Its central Hai Phong location makes it convenient to visit after dinner without traveling far outside the main city area.

How Many Days Should You Spend in Hai Phong?

If your main goal is to explore central Hai Phong, one full day is enough to visit several of the city’s key attractions.

If you also want to see Do Son, consider staying for one or two days. For travelers planning to include Cat Ba Island, allowing at least three days will create a much more comfortable itinerary.

For a first visit, choose the length of your stay based on what interests you most.

If you enjoy history and urban culture, focus on the city center, temples, and historic architecture. If you want to spend time by the sea, add Do Son. If nature and island travel are your priorities, make Cat Ba Island part of the trip.

Hai Phong may not be as internationally famous as Hanoi or Ha Long Bay, but that is part of its appeal. The city still offers a stronger sense of everyday life in a working Vietnamese port city.

From French-influenced architecture and historic temples to local streets, coastal scenery, and islands, there is more to see in Hai Phong than many first-time visitors expect.

The next time you plan a trip through Northern Vietnam, consider giving Hai Phong an extra day and discovering a different side of this fascinating port city.