Once the largest and most important harboring city in the French colonial period, Hai Phong is now emerging as Vietnam’s top city and an economic spearhead. The city encompasses an identity that’s completely different from Hanoi’s: laid-back and refreshing. Without any further ado, this is our ultimate guide to “A Day Trip to Hai Phong from Hanoi”.
Hai Phong Overview
Hai Phong is a harbor city located about 120 kilometers away to the North-East of Hanoi.
Essential information on Hai Phong:
- Weather: Hai Phong shares the same features as the weather in Hanoi and Northern Vietnam with 4 distinct seasons
- Best time to visit: November – March to avoid the harsh summer heat and the peak travel season
- Popular transportations from Hanoi to Hai Phong: train, taxi, bus
- Suggested time to spend in Hai Phong: 1-2 days
What to Pack for a Hai Phong Day Trip from Hanoi
- Identification documents: Visa, passport, ID,…
- Money: there are not as many ATMs in Hai Phong as in Hanoi, so we recommend bringing cash with you. Prepare small notes.
- Sunscreen: Hai Phong’s sun can get quite harsh, so it’s always a good thing to pack some protection
- Clothing: your choice of clothing depends on the season; most of the time, you can bring the exact items that you pack for Hanoi. If you plan to do some swimming, include your bathing suit.
See What to Pack for Hanoi - Electronic devices: phones, portable chargers, headphones for the ride and a camera with battery to capture the moments.
How to Get to Hai Phong from Hanoi
You can choose from four options to travel between the cities: coaches, trains, motorbikes, or taxis.
Day Trip to Hai Phong from Hanoi by Coach
You can find coaches that start from Nuoc Ngam Station, Yen Nghia Station, or Gia Lam Station in Hanoi and drop you at Cau Rao Station, Niem Nghia Station, or Lac Long Station in Hai Phong. Each coach company has a different route, so make sure to check with the driver about the destination. The local way to get to Hai Phong by coach is with Hai Au Coach, which runs from Gia Lam Station to Niem Nghia Station. Gia Lam Station is the nearest to Hanoi’s center, and it only takes 10 minutes to travel from Niem Nghia Station to Hai Phong’s center. Most of the time, prior booking for the Hai Au Coach is not required, the locals just hop on the coach and pay the fees directly to the coach’s manager.
More on Taking a Bus in Hanoi
Hai Au Coach in Niem Nghia Station in Hai Phong
Hanoi – Hai Phong Hai Au Coach information
Route: Gia Lam Bus Station (Hanoi) – Niem Nghia Bus Station (Hai Phong)
Operate time: 5:30 AM – 7:20 PM
Travel time: 2 hours
Price: VND 100,000/person
Frequency: 1 coach every hour
Tips:
- Choose professional coaches that don’t stop along the way to pick up/drop passengers. It’ll save you some travel time.
- Keep your eyes on the belongings, secure your phones and wallet
- Because of the language barrier and the crowded situations at the stations, it is always wiser to book your ticket online. You can pay with your card, stay away from scams, learn about the travel routes and transportation company beforehand, and plan your trip accordingly
Day Trip to Hai Phong from Hanoi by Train
Traveling by train is the cheaper mean of transportation that takes you right to Hai Phong’s center, which saves you quite some time and budget for a day trip to Hai Phong from Hanoi. You can buy tickets for the Hai Phong train at all of the train stations in Hanoi or buy them online and print out the ticket yourself.
Get train tickets from Hanoi to Hai Phong
You can buy tickets at Long Bien Station
Hai Phong Train Station
Hanoi – Hai Phong Train Information:
Station: Gia Lam Station – Long Bien Station – Hanoi Station
Operate time: 6 AM – 6:15 PM
Travel time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Price: 75,000/person (hard seat); 85,000/person (soft seat)
Frequency: 1 train every 3 hours
Read more on Hanoi Trains
Day Trip to Hai Phong from Hanoi by Motorbikes
Traveling to Hai Phong by motorbikes may sound fun, but it’s actually not since you’ll have to cross 5 national highways. It’s full of containers and trucks speeding and is known to be an accident-prone area. Unless you’re a skilled driver, we would advise you against this option.
Day Trip to Hai Phong from Hanoi by Taxis
As a last resort, booking a taxi from Hanoi to Hai Phong is also a viable option for personalized service. The price would be higher than public transportation obviously, but it ensures and comfortable ride. Always opt for reliable brands like Mai Linh or VinaSun, check the price online first to avoid being overcharged, or better yet, ask your hotel receptionist to help arrange a ride for you.
Travel time: 2 – 3 hours, depending on the traffic
Estimated cost: from VND 1 million/one way
Depending on how long you want to stay, opt for traveling by train or coaches to return to Hanoi. The last train to depart from Hai Phong is at 6:15 PM, and the last coaches leave at 7:20 PM or 8 PM.
Where to Stay in for a Day Trip to Hai Phong from Hanoi
Vinpearl Hotel Imperia Hai Phong
(View on Agoda.com)
Somerset Central TD Haiphong
(View on Agoda.com)
Manoirs des Arts Hotel
(View on Agoda.com)
What to Do on a Day Trip to Hai Phong
Visit Do Son Beach
Do Son was once the go-to holiday location
Do Son Beach was once the ultimate getaway summer resort for Vietnamese upper-class and French colonists during the colonial period. Just a 30-minute drive away from Hai Phong’s center, you can enjoy the refreshing wind from the ocean, taking pictures at the historical relics, or unwind and sunbathe on the beach.
Swimming is free, but you’ll have to pay for the sunbeds, lockers and freshwater baths.
Have a Blast at Hon Dau Resort
A view of the pool at Hon Dau Resort
You can cast your eyes out to the sea in Hon Dau Resort
Hon Dau Resort is a newly built complex in the neighborhood of Do Son Beach, consisting of a zoo, a wave-creating pool, and a collection of high-end hotels and restaurants. It’s the ultimate resort in town with the largest artificial wave pool in South East Asia.
Visit Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba Island from above
After the construction of Tan Vu Lach Huyen Bridge in 2017, it shortens the travel time from Hai Phong to Cat Ba to just over half an hour. Here, you can observe the pristine nature in strict protection, as well as indulge in some fun activities like bike riding or fish massaging.
Gaze Upon Lan Ha Bay
Lan Ha Bay shares similar beauty of Halong Bay
Located to the East of Cat Ba island, Lan Ha Bay is considered “the second Ha Long Bay of Vietnam”. It features a breath-taking beauty, with over 400 hundred islands and 139 white sand beaches, perfect for an afternoon swim.
Have a Walk in the City Central Park
Hai Phong’s Opera House, the centerpiece of the central park
In 2018, Hai Phong’s center strip underwent an amazing renovation project, turning it into a beautiful park that stretches over 2 kilometers. The park boasts a collection of various flower species, old trees, and spacious walking pavement.
Stroll Down Hai Phong’s New Walking Street
Hai Phong’s walking street at night
Hai Phong walking street is built as another attempt to re-design the city for tourism purposes. It’s located along Tam Bac River, 5 five minutes away from the city’s opera house.
Pay Respect at the Trang Kenh Temple Relic
Trang Kenh Temple is located in Minh Duc Town of Thuy Nguyen District, Hai Phong. It’s believed to have been existing for 4,000 years and presents a significant role in the city’s cultural scene.
Food to Try on a Day Trip to Hai Phong
In addition to the beautiful city scene, Hai Phong is also known for its amazing food for cheap. There are a lot of dishes to try in the “harbor city”, here’s a list of the most popular ones and the best places to find them:
Banh Da Cua – Crab Noodle Soup
The famous Hai Phong Crab Noodle Soup
Address: 2 Pham Ngu Lao, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong
Opening hours: 6 AM – 10 AM
Price: VND 35,000
Banh Beo – Water Fern Cakes
Hai Phong’s Banh Beo is different from the Hue’s version
Address: 14 Le Dai Hanh, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong
Opening hours: 2 PM – 7:30 PM
Price: VND 8,000 – 32,000
Trung Danh Kem – Creamy Whipped Egg
Trung Danh Kem is the favorite of Hai Phong’s locals
This is an innovative way to have your banh mi: dip the baguette in the luscious egg cream for a sweet explosion in your taste buds. The vendor also serves other dishes that go with banh mi such as sunny-side-up eggs and pate.
Address: 47 Luong Khanh Thien, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong
Opening hours: 6 AM – 10:30 AM
Price: VND 10,000 – 22,000
Bun Ca Cay – Spicy Fish Noodle Soup
One of the unique dishes of Hai Phong – Bun Ca Cay
Address: 153 Le Lai, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong
Opening hours: 6 AM – 11 PM
Price: VND 30,000
Sea snails
Snails are perfect for an evening snack
Address: 30/263 Lach Tray, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong
Opening hours: 3 PM – 10 PM
Price: VND 50,000 – 100,000
Banh Mi Cay – Spicy Mini Baguette
These mini breadsticks pack quite a punch of flavor
Address: 57 Le Loi, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong
Opening hours: 7 AM – 10:30 PM
Price: VND 4,000 – 15,000
Is a Day Trip to Hai Phong Worth it?
If you can find time to pay Hai Phong a visit, we guarantee that it won’t disappoint. It’s a relatively cheaper destination than Hanoi and is just a couple of hours away from Vietnam’s Capital City. The atmosphere is refreshing, the people are lovely, the landscape is beautiful, and the food is definitely to die for. Should you like this article, share it with your friends and plan a day trip to Hai Phong together!
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