Getting Around Haiphong Without a Motorbike Easily

Getting around Haiphong without a motorbike is easier than most visitors expect. The historic center is compact and flat, ride hailing apps are cheap and reliable, metered taxis are everywhere, and for longer trips you can hire a car with a driver for less than you might think. You do not need to ride a scooter through busy traffic to enjoy this port city.

This guide from the Haiphong Adventure team covers every practical option: walking, ride apps, taxis, city buses, cyclos, bicycles and private drivers. We also share sample plans and money saving tips. Prices are rough references that can change, updated November 2026.

Why You Do Not Need a Motorbike in Haiphong

Many travel blogs suggest renting a scooter in Vietnam. In Haiphong it is optional. The main sights, including the Opera House, Tam Bac Lake, the colonial post office, Cau Quay bridge and the old market streets, sit within a few kilometers of each other. Most of the city is flat, with wide sidewalks on the main boulevards and plenty of shade.

There are also good reasons not to ride yourself. Traffic can be intense at rush hour, local rules take time to learn, and travel insurance often does not cover riding without the right license. For short stays, letting someone else drive is safer and usually no more expensive.

Walking the Historic Center

Walking is the best way to feel the rhythm of Haiphong. You notice the yellow French era facades, the sidewalk tea stalls, the flower sellers and the smell of crab noodle soup drifting out of tiny shops.

An easy walking loop

1. Start at the Haiphong Opera House and its square.
2. Walk along the flower garden boulevard to the Le Chan statue.
3. Continue to the colonial post office and the old streets nearby.
4. Loop back via Tam Bac Lake for a rest by the water.

This loop takes around two hours at a relaxed pace with photo stops. Many of the best experiences on it cost nothing at all, as we show in our list of free things to do in Haiphong.

Crossing the street safely

Crossing the road is the one skill every visitor needs. Walk slowly and steadily, make eye contact with riders and do not stop or step back suddenly. Drivers flow around predictable pedestrians. Use pedestrian crossings and traffic lights where you can, and cross with locals if you feel unsure.

>>> Unusual Things To Do In Haiphong Off Beaten Path

Ride Hailing Apps

Apps such as Grab and Be work well in Haiphong. You see the price before you book, you do not need to speak Vietnamese and you can pay in cash or by card. Choose a car if you prefer not to ride on the back of a bike.

• Short car rides in the center: often around 30,000 to 90,000 VND.
• City center to Cat Bi Airport by car: often around 80,000 to 150,000 VND.
• Busy times: prices rise at rush hour, in heavy rain and on weekend evenings.

Keep two apps on your phone. When one has no cars nearby, the other often does.

Taxis

Metered taxis are easy to find around hotels, the Opera House, the railway station and the airport. Electric taxis booked by app or hailed on the street have become common too. Choose well known companies, check that the meter is running and have your destination written down or pinned on a map.

Taxis are a good choice for families, people with luggage and anyone who wants door to door comfort in hot or rainy weather. Ask your hotel to call one if you need a car at a specific time.

City Buses

Haiphong has a public bus network that connects the center with outer districts, Do Son and other parts of the province. Buses are very cheap, usually just a small cash fare, but routes are planned for local commuters rather than tourists.

Tips for using the bus

• Use a map app with public transport layers to check routes and stops.
• Carry small notes, the conductor or driver collects the fare.
• Show your destination on your phone, few staff speak English.
• Allow extra time, buses stop often and can be slow in traffic.

The bus works best for patient travelers on a tight budget or for a ride toward Do Son. For most sightseeing in the center, walking and ride apps are faster.

Cyclo Rides

A cyclo is a three wheeled pedal taxi with the passenger seat in front. It is slow, scenic and a lovely way to see the colonial streets. Agree on the price and the route before you sit down, and confirm whether the price is per person or per cyclo. A short loop around the Opera House area is ideal, you are not going to use a cyclo to reach the airport.

Bicycles

Cycling suits early mornings and the quieter lake side and riverside streets. Some hotels and homestays lend or rent bicycles, so ask at reception. Ride on the right, keep to the edge of the road and avoid main roads at rush hour. Bring a lock and lights if you plan to ride at dusk.

Private Car with Driver

For day trips to Do Son, the countryside, Cat Ba transfers or the airport with lots of luggage, a private car with driver is the most comfortable choice. You agree on the route and the price in advance, the driver waits for you at each stop and you can change plans as you go. Split between three or four people, it is often good value.

Book through your hotel, a reputable car company or a local tour operator. Confirm the total price, what it includes such as tolls and parking, and how long the car is available.

Ride as a Passenger on a Guided Tour

Here is the secret: you can still enjoy the classic motorbike experience without riding yourself. On guided tours, an experienced local driver does the riding while you sit on the back, take photos and listen to stories about each stop. It is how many visitors discover the alleys, markets and street food that are hard to reach on foot.

If you want to compare self guided and guided options, our 24 hour DIY Haiphong itinerary and the shorter half day Haiphong plan show what is possible in limited time.

>>> Private Haiphong Tour: Why You Need a Local Guide

Transport Options Compared

Option	Cost	Best for	Watch out for
Walking	Free	Old town sights, cafes, street life	Heat at midday, crossing busy roads
Ride app car	Low	Point to point trips, airport, rain	Surge prices at peak times
Metered taxi	Low to medium	Families, luggage, hotel pickups	Use known companies and the meter
City bus	Very low	Budget trips to outer districts	Slow, little English
Cyclo	Medium for the distance	Slow sightseeing in the center	Agree the price first
Bicycle	Low	Early mornings, lake side streets	Avoid main roads at rush hour
Private car	Higher, good value in groups	Day trips, transfers	Confirm what the price includes

Sample Plans Without a Motorbike

One day in the city

• Morning: walk from the Opera House to the post office and old streets, breakfast of banh da cua on the way.
• Midday: rest in an air conditioned cafe, then a short ride app trip to Du Hang Pagoda.
• Afternoon: taxi or app ride to the Haiphong Museum, then a cyclo loop at golden hour.
• Evening: walk Tam Bac Lake and dinner on a local food street.

A day trip out of town

• Hire a private car with driver for Do Son beach, its pagodas and a seafood lunch.
• Or join a guided countryside tour as a passenger to see villages and rice fields.

Either way, the trip works perfectly without you touching a handlebar. Many of our haiphong tours are built exactly for travelers who prefer to ride as passengers.

>>> My Favorite Things To Do In Haiphong On Weekend

Money Saving Tips

• Stay in the center so you can walk to most sights.
• Group nearby sights together instead of zigzagging across town.
• Avoid booking rides at rush hour when apps add surge pricing.
• Share taxis and private cars with fellow travelers.
• Carry small notes, drivers may not have change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Haiphong walkable?

Yes. The historic center is flat and compact, with most main sights within two to three kilometers of the Opera House.

What is the cheapest way to get around Haiphong?

Walking is free, and city buses cost very little. For convenience at low cost, ride hailing apps are the best value.

Are taxis safe in Haiphong?

Yes, especially well known companies and app bookings. Make sure the meter runs or the price is shown in the app.

Can I see the countryside without a motorbike?

Yes. Hire a private car with driver or join a guided tour where a local guide does the riding.

Do I need a license to ride as a passenger?

No. You only need to wear a helmet. Licenses apply to people who drive.

Explore Haiphong Your Way

Getting around Haiphong without a motorbike is simple: walk the center, use ride apps or taxis for longer hops, try a cyclo for fun and hire a driver for day trips. You will see more, worry less and stay safe in the traffic.

If you would like a local to show you around, Haiphong Adventure offers tours where our guides do the riding. Contact us:

• WhatsApp, Viber, WeChat: +84(0)934.555.001
• KakaoTalk, Line ID: haiphongadventure

We look forward to welcoming you to Haiphong.