My Favorite Things To Do In Haiphong On Weekend

People often ask our guides what they actually do on their own days off, and the honest answer is that a good weekend here is slow, full of coffee, and ends somewhere near the water. This list of things to do in Haiphong on a weekend comes straight from that habit: the cafes we sit in on Saturday morning, the streets we ride through when the traffic is lighter, and the riverbank where half the city seems to gather once the heat drops.

Haiphong is not a city you “tick off”. It is a working port with a strong food culture, French-era streets, and neighbourhoods where life still happens on the pavement. If you give it two unhurried days, it rewards you far more than a rushed half-day stop on the way to Cat Ba. Below you will find my favourite weekend rhythm, a simple Saturday and Sunday plan, and practical tips so you can follow it on your own or with one of our guides.

How Our Guides Spend A Weekend In Haiphong

A weekday in Haiphong is about work, school runs and port traffic. The weekend feels different. Families take children to the flower gardens in the centre, young people fill the coffee shops from early morning, and by late afternoon the promenades along the Cam River are busy with walkers, kite flyers and street vendors. Many locals also leave the city on Sunday for the beach at Do Son or a family lunch in the countryside.

When I plan a weekend for friends visiting from abroad, I follow the same rhythm locals do. Mornings are for coffee and breakfast noodles, the middle of the day is for a ride through the old quarter or a short trip out of town, and evenings are for the river and street food. Nothing is rushed, and there is always time to sit down when something interesting happens on the street.

The list of things to do in Haiphong below is in roughly the order I would do things, starting on Saturday morning. You do not need to do all of it. Pick the ones that sound like you and leave space for the unplanned moments, because those are usually the ones people remember.

Start Saturday With Coffee On A Plastic Stool

My weekend always starts the same way: a small glass of strong iced coffee with condensed milk, a low plastic stool, and a view of the street. Haiphong’s coffee culture is less polished than Hanoi’s but just as serious. You will find tiny sidewalk spots under old trees, family-run cafes in narrow tube houses, and newer places with rooftop seats looking over the rooftops.

Go early, ideally between 6:30 and 8:00. This is when you see the city waking up: older men reading the newspaper, office workers grabbing a quick cup before a weekend shift, and women carrying baskets of fruit on shoulder poles. Order “cà phê sữa đá” (iced milk coffee) if you like it sweet, or “cà phê đen đá” (black iced coffee) if you prefer it bitter. Coconut coffee and egg coffee are also easy to find if you want something more like a dessert.

One tip from our guides: do not judge a coffee shop by its furniture. Some of the best cups in town are served at places with nothing more than a few stools, a kettle and a radio. If a spot is full of locals at 7am, sit down.

Eat Banh Da Cua Before The City Gets Busy

If there is one breakfast that tells you where you are, it is banh da cua, Haiphong’s crab noodle soup. The broth is made from field crabs pounded and strained, and it is served with flat brown rice noodles, crab paste, greens, fried shallots and sometimes pork or fish cake. Locals eat it early, and the best pots are often finished by mid-morning.

Other favourite weekend breakfasts include banh cuon (thin steamed rice rolls), and a quick bundle of banh mi cay, the small, thin baguettes filled with pâté and chilli sauce that Haiphong is famous for. They are cheap, light and perfect to carry while you walk.

If food is the main reason you are visiting, our tips for enjoying a real Haiphong food tour will help you plan the rest of your meals around the weekend.

Ride A Slow Loop Around The Old French Quarter

Saturday late morning is my favourite time to ride through central Haiphong. Traffic is lighter than on weekdays, and the old streets around the Opera House, the city post office and the former colonial avenues feel calmer. You can see the yellow facades, wooden shutters and tall trees without fighting through rush hour.

I like to do this loop on the back of a motorbike rather than on foot, because the interesting parts are spread out and the breeze makes the heat easier to manage. We usually pass the Opera House, swing by the flower garden strip in the centre, then turn into smaller streets where old shophouses sell everything from hardware to herbal medicine. If you want the history behind these buildings, temples and communal houses, our separate guide to cultural things to do in Haiphong covers them in detail, so I will not repeat it here.

For this part of the weekend I keep it light: ride, stop for photos, sit somewhere shady for a sugarcane juice, and keep going. It is more about the feel of the city than about museums.

Walk The Tracks At Cau Quay Swing Bridge

Cau Quay, the old swing bridge on the railway line near the river, has become one of the most photographed spots in the city. The rail tracks, the iron structure and the painted murals on the walls nearby make it a fun stop, especially in the late afternoon light. On weekends you will see young couples taking photos, families walking with children, and the occasional wedding shoot.

Be respectful here. It is still connected to a working railway area, so follow any signs, listen to local guards if they ask you to move, and never block the tracks for a photo. Our guides know the safest angles and the quieter times, and we always check the situation on the day.

Lose An Hour In A Local Market

I recommend at least one market visit every weekend. Haiphong’s markets are where you see the city’s real produce: seafood brought in from the coast, piles of herbs, fresh rice noodles, live crabs, dried shrimp and tropical fruit you may not recognise. Saturday mornings are busy and loud, which is half the fun.

You do not need to buy anything, but a small purchase is a nice way to say thank you for the photos. Ask before photographing people up close, keep your bag in front of you in the crowded lanes, and watch where you step because the floors in the wet sections are, as the name suggests, wet. If you have a guide with you, this is the best place to try small snacks you would never order on your own.

Take A Long Lunch And A Proper Rest

This sounds like a strange thing to put on a list of things to do in Haiphong, but it matters. Between roughly 11:30 and 14:00 the city slows down. Many small shops close, the sun is strong, and locals eat a big lunch and nap. Follow their lead.

For lunch, try a com binh dan place (rice with a choice of dishes laid out on a counter) or a seafood restaurant if you want something bigger. Then head back to your hotel for a rest. You will enjoy the evening far more with some energy left, and the evening is when Haiphong really comes alive.

Spend Sunset And Evening By The Cam River

If I had to pick a single favourite moment of the weekend, it would be sunset along the Cam River. The promenade near Hoang Van Thu Bridge fills with people from late afternoon: joggers, groups doing evening exercise, couples on benches, kids on rented electric cars, and vendors selling grilled corn, sweet potatoes and cold drinks. As it gets dark, the bridge lights up and the reflections on the water are lovely.

Of all the things to do in Haiphong, this is one of the most local, and it is free. Walk for a while, buy something small from a cart, and then sit and watch the boats. On a clear evening the breeze from the river is the best air-conditioning in the city.

Eat Your Way Through A Saturday Night

After the river, Saturday night belongs to street food. Haiphong eats late and eats well. Sidewalks fill with low tables, steam rises from noodle pots, and the smell of grilled meat follows you down the street. Some of our favourite night bites are banh beo (small steamed rice cakes with shrimp topping), grilled squid, snails cooked in different sauces, nem cua be (square crab spring rolls) and che, the sweet dessert soups that come in endless variations. I wrote more about these flavours in my Haiphong street food adventure.

The challenge for visitors is that the best spots rarely have English menus or signs, and they move around or change hours. That is exactly why we built our evening food tours. If you would rather explore alone, follow the simple rule our guides use: pick the stall with the most locals, the fastest turnover and only one or two dishes on offer.

Finish the night with a cold local beer at a corner bia hoi, or at one of the small bars around the centre if you prefer a cocktail and a quieter seat.

Escape To Do Son Or The Countryside On Sunday

On Sunday, many Haiphong families head out of the city, and I like to do the same. The two easiest choices are the coast and the countryside.

Do Son For Sea Air

Do Son is the city’s traditional beach area, roughly 20 km from the centre. It is not a postcard white-sand beach, but it is a pleasant ride, with a long seafront, hills, pagodas and seafood restaurants. The area around King Bao Dai’s old villa gives good views over the water. Go in the morning, have a seafood lunch, and head back before the afternoon traffic.

The Countryside For Rice Fields And Villages

If you prefer green over blue, the countryside around Kien Thuy and Thuy Nguyen has rice fields, quiet village roads and old pagodas. A half-day ride out there shows you a completely different Haiphong. Our guide to exploring rural villages on a Haiphong motorbike tour shows a few loops we like.

Wind Down Sunday Evening With A Quiet Drink

Sunday evening in Haiphong is calmer than Saturday. The streets are still busy, but people are less in a hurry. This is my time for a simple dinner, a walk around the square at Le Chan statue or the Opera House when it is lit up, and a last drink somewhere comfortable.

If you are leaving early on Monday, for example to catch a ferry to Cat Ba or a train back to Hanoi, keep Sunday night short. Pack, have a final bowl of noodles, and go to sleep early. If you are staying on, our guide to planning a perfect Cat Ba tour from Haiphong city will help with the next leg.

A Simple Weekend Plan For Things To Do In Haiphong

Here is how I would put all these things to do in Haiphong together for a first-time visitor. Times are approximate and depend on the season; in summer it pays to start earlier and rest longer at midday.

Saturday

• 6:30 – 8:30: Sidewalk coffee, then banh da cua for breakfast.
• 9:00 – 11:30: Motorbike or walking loop through the French quarter, a market stop, and Cau Quay bridge.
• 11:30 – 15:00: Long lunch and rest at the hotel.
• 16:30 – 18:30: Walk along the Cam River promenade for sunset.
• 18:30 – late: Street food crawl, then a beer or cocktail.

Sunday

• 7:00 – 8:00: Coffee and a light breakfast (banh mi cay works well).
• 8:00 – 14:00: Ride to Do Son or into the countryside, with lunch on the way.
• 14:00 – 17:00: Return, shower and rest.
• 17:00 – 21:00: Evening walk around the central squares, a relaxed dinner, and an early night if you travel on Monday.

If you want a more detailed two-day plan built around our guided routes, message us and we will put one together for your dates.

Weekend Tips From A Local Guide

• Book weekend evenings early. Saturday night is our busiest time for food tours. Message us a few days ahead if you can.
• Expect more people at popular spots. The river, central squares and Do Son get crowded on weekends, especially on public holidays. Go early for photos.
• Carry small cash. Street food stalls, coffee shops and markets usually prefer cash, and small notes make life easier.
• Dress for the weather. Summers are hot and humid, winters can be grey and cool, especially by the water at night. A light jacket helps from roughly December to February.
• Do not ride if you are not confident. Haiphong traffic is easier than Hanoi’s, but it is still busy. If you want to ride yourself, make sure you have the right licence and insurance, or simply sit on the back with one of our guides.
• Check opening hours locally. Small shops, food stalls and some sights change hours without notice. Ask your hotel or message us on the day.

Most of all, leave gaps in your plan. Some of my best weekends started with “let’s just get one more coffee” and ended with an invitation to a family lunch.

Frequently Asked Questions About Weekends In Haiphong

Is two days enough to see the main things to do in Haiphong?

Two days is a comfortable amount for the city itself. You can cover the central sights, the river, a market, plenty of street food and a half-day trip to Do Son or the countryside. If you also want Cat Ba or Lan Ha Bay, add at least one or two more days.

Is Haiphong busy on weekends?

The centre is lively but not overwhelming. Popular spots like the river promenade and the squares are busiest in the late afternoon and evening, and Do Son gets crowded on summer weekends and holidays.

What time do street food stalls open in the evening?

Many evening stalls start around late afternoon and stay open until late, but hours vary a lot from one place to another. Breakfast dishes like banh da cua are usually best early in the morning.

Can I do this weekend plan without a guide?

Yes. Most of it is walkable or easy by taxi or ride-hailing app. A guide mainly helps with food, local stories and finding small places you would not notice alone.

Which tour fits best for a weekend in Haiphong?

For a Saturday night, our evening street food tours are the most popular choice. For Sunday, a countryside and coastal ride works well. Message us and we will suggest the right one for your dates.

Is it safe to walk by the river at night?

The main promenade areas are usually busy and feel safe in the evening. As anywhere, keep an eye on your phone and bag, and use a taxi or ride-hailing app if you are going back late.

Plan Your Haiphong Weekend With Us

We are a small local team, and weekends are when we love showing people our city most. Whether you want a Saturday night food tour, a Sunday ride through the rice fields, or just a few honest recommendations for coffee shops, Haiphong Adventure is happy to help. Tell us your dates, your interests and how active you want to be, and we will suggest a plan that fits, from simple tips to fully guided haiphong tours.

We also offer motorbike rental if you prefer to explore on your own; just message us and we will check availability for your dates.

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