Haiphong Travel Guide for First Time Visitors in Vietnam

This Haiphong travel guide for first time visitors covers everything you need before you land: how to get to the city, which area to stay in, how to handle money and phone data, what to eat, how to stay safe and how to behave politely. Haiphong is a friendly, relaxed port city in northern Vietnam, about two hours from Hanoi and right next to Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay. With a little preparation, your first visit will feel easy.

The Haiphong Adventure team has welcomed travelers from all over the world, and these are the questions we hear most often. Rules, prices and schedules change, so check official sources before you travel, updated October 2026.

Haiphong in a Nutshell

• Where: on the coast of northern Vietnam, east of Hanoi.
• Known for: its busy seaport, French era center, red flamboyant flowers in early summer and great street food.
• Why visit: fewer tourists than Hanoi, authentic local life and easy access to Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay and Do Son.
• How long: one to three days for the city, plus at least one night on Cat Ba.

For ideas on what to see, start with the best things to do in Haiphong.

Entry Requirements and Planning

Many nationalities need a visa or an e visa to enter Vietnam, while some can visit visa free for a limited number of days. Rules change, so always check the official Vietnamese immigration website or your embassy before booking. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months and has blank pages.

• Buy travel insurance that covers medical care and activities like kayaking or motorbike tours.
• Save digital copies of your passport, visa and bookings.
• Tell your bank you are traveling so your cards work at ATMs.

How to Get to Haiphong

By air

Cat Bi International Airport is close to the city center, with domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and other cities, plus some international routes. Taxis and ride app cars wait outside arrivals.

From Hanoi

• Limousine van: comfortable, often with hotel pick up, around 2 hours.
• Bus: cheap and frequent from Hanoi’s bus stations.
• Train: slow but scenic, arriving at Haiphong Railway Station in the center.
• Private car: the most flexible choice for groups and families.

Compare the options in our guide to the bus and train from Hanoi to Haiphong.

By cruise ship

Large cruise ships dock at the deep water port outside the city. Arrange a transfer or tour in advance so you do not lose time at the pier.

>>> Scenic Stops From Hanoi To Haiphong Journey

Where to Stay

• Around the Opera House and Tam Bac Lake: the best area for first timers, walkable, with food and cafes everywhere.
• Near the Cam River: modern hotels, river views and quick access to the bridges.
• Near the airport: handy for early flights, but further from the old center.
• Cat Ba Island: for one or two nights by the bay.

Homestays are a great way to meet locals. Read our tips on finding quiet Haiphong homestays.

Money, Costs and Payments

• Currency: Vietnamese dong. Banknotes look similar, so check the zeros carefully.
• ATMs: easy to find in the center. Some charge a fee per withdrawal.
• Cash: needed for street food, small shops, markets and some taxis.
• Cards: accepted in many hotels, restaurants and supermarkets.
• Tipping: not expected, but appreciated for good guides and drivers.

Haiphong is affordable. Street food meals and coffees are cheap, and mid range hotels are often good value compared with bigger tourist cities.

Phone, Internet and Useful Apps

• Buy a local SIM card or an eSIM with data. Bring your passport for registration.
• Wi Fi is free in most hotels and cafes.
• Useful apps: Grab for rides and food delivery, a map app with offline maps and a translation app with camera mode for menus.

Getting Around the City

• On foot: the center is compact. Pavements are often used for parking, so walk carefully.
• Grab and taxis: cheap and easy. Use the app or well known taxi companies with meters.
• Cyclo: a fun, slow ride through the French quarter. Agree on price and route first.
• Motorbike tours: ride as a passenger with an experienced local driver, the most fun way to see a lot.

>>> Scams To Avoid With Motorbike Rental Haiphong

Food Basics for First Timers

Food is one of the best reasons to visit. Start with these local favorites:

• Banh da cua: crab noodle soup with flat brown rice noodles.
• Banh mi cay: small crunchy baguettes with pate and chili.
• Nem cua be: square spring rolls filled with crab.
• Oc: snails cooked in many styles, popular in the evening.
• Che: sweet dessert soups, perfect on hot days.

Busy stalls with high turnover are usually the safest and tastiest. Say khong cay for no chili, and cam on to say thank you.

>>> Top Dishes To Try On Your Haiphong Food Tour Day

Safety and Health

• Haiphong is generally safe. Keep bags zipped and phones secure in crowded places.
• Cross roads slowly and steadily, and let motorbikes flow around you.
• Drink bottled or filtered water.
• Use sunscreen and stay hydrated, especially from May to September.
• Carry your hotel address in Vietnamese.
• In an emergency, ask your hotel to call for help and contact your insurance provider.

Local Etiquette

• Dress: casual clothes are fine in the city. Cover shoulders and knees in pagodas and temples.
• Shoes: take them off when entering homes and some temple halls.
• Photos: smile and ask before taking close up portraits.
• Respect: avoid public displays of anger. A calm smile solves most problems.
• Bargaining: fine in markets, but keep it friendly.

Weather and When to Go

Season	Months	What to expect
Spring	March to April	Mild, sometimes drizzly, comfortable for walking
Summer	May to August	Hot and humid, flamboyant flowers in bloom, storms possible
Autumn	September to November	Warm days, clearer skies, a great time to visit
Winter	December to February	Cool and grey, bring a jacket

Around Tet, the Lunar New Year, many businesses close for several days and transport gets busy. Plan ahead if you travel then.

Nightlife and Evenings

Evenings are when Haiphong comes alive. Families gather around Tam Bac Lake and the central squares, street food stalls fill the pavements and small bars and bia hoi spots serve cold beer. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.

Joining a guided evening food or nightlife ride is one of the most popular haiphong tours for first time visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Haiphong good for first time visitors to Vietnam?

Yes. It is less hectic than Hanoi, friendly and affordable, with great food and easy trips to Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay.

How many days should I spend in Haiphong?

Plan one to three days for the city and at least one night on Cat Ba Island.

Do people speak English in Haiphong?

Hotel and tour staff usually do. At street stalls, smiles, pointing and a translation app work well.

Is Haiphong safe for solo travelers?

Generally yes. Take normal precautions with belongings and traffic, and use ride apps at night.

What is the best way to get from Hanoi to Haiphong?

Limousine vans are the most popular choice, with buses, trains and private cars as alternatives.

Enjoy Your First Trip to Haiphong

With this Haiphong travel guide for first time visitors, you know how to arrive, where to stay, how to pay, what to eat and how to stay safe. The rest is simply enjoying the city’s friendly streets, food and nearby islands.

If you would like a local friend to show you around, Haiphong Adventure offers city, food, countryside and motorbike tours designed for first time visitors. Contact us:

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

We look forward to welcoming you to Haiphong.