7 Things To Do in Hai Phong: Fully Explore The Coastal City

Explore Seas, Islands & Bays

The first activity when talking about things to do in Hai Phong must be visiting its coastlines. The city makes it to the top of ideal seaside destinations for some reason. Hai Phong has several fine sandy beaches, Lan Ha Bay — one of the most beautiful bays in the world (as recognized by the World’s Most Beautiful Bays Club in 2020) — along with over 100 verdant limestone islands.

Best things to do in Hai Phong beaches

For ocean lovers visiting Hai Phong, here are what you can do:

• Explore the top beaches of Hai Phong, including Do Son, Tung Thu, Cat Co, Cat Dua, and more.

• Participate in water activities: swimming, kayaking, surfing, banana boating, jet skiing, squid fishing, fish catching, scuba diving, etc.

• Take a boat or ferry to explore islands like Cat Ba, Hon Dau, Long Chau, and Bach Long Vi.

• Engage in island activities: camping, island hopping, mountain trekking, or biking.

• Discover caves on the islands or within the bays: Dark–Light Cave, Trung Trang Cave, Luon Cave, etc.

• Join 3 days 2 nights or 2 days 1 night cruise itineraries to discover Lan Ha Bay.

Kayak in Lan Ha Bay Hai Phong

Hike Cat Ba National Park

Established in 1986, Cat Ba National Park is located on the largest island of the Cat Ba archipelago, just 25km from the city center. The park is a hub of biodiversity, geology, and natural landscapes, and it is also a favorite destination for tourists, alongside Hai Phong’s beautiful beaches.

The incredible nature of Cat Ba National Park

Visitors to the national park can:

• Explore diverse forest ecosystems, including primary forests, mangroves, and Kim Giao forests.

• Immerse yourself in the natural world with species like fish, langurs, birds, etc.

• Bike around the island in the national park area.

• Hike to conquer mountain peaks.

• Visit Trung Trang Cave (entrance fee: $4.9 USD/person).

To reach the park, you will need to take a boat from the mainland to the island. The entrance fee is $3.3 USD/person. The total cost of visiting the national park is typically around $20 USD/person.

Visit Cat Ba National Park is one of the best things to do in Hai Phong

Tour Fishing Villages

Hai Phong is home to some of Vietnam’s oldest fishing villages. These villages sit harmoniously in the natural bay environment, free from the pollution of traffic. Two standout villages are:

Ancient fishing villages in Hai Phong

• Cai Beo Fishing Village: A 7,000-year-old floating village located in the Cat Ba archipelago, home to about 500 households.

• Viet Hai Fishing Village: Situated in the Cat Ba National Park area, with 70 households.

When visiting these villages, tourists can take boat tours, observe local life, participate in fish catching, and savor freshly prepared seafood. The cost of visiting the villages, including the tour and boat, is usually around $50 USD/person.

Discover City by Motorbike

One of the best things to do in Hai Phong is to explore the city by motorbike. Visitors can easily rent a motorbike at their accommodation on the mainland or contact the following for rentals:

City on motorbike things to do in Hai Phong

• Mr. Dung: 0906 114 115 (935 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Dong Hai 1, Hai An)

• An An: 0936 628 992 (1 Le Lai, May To, Ngo Quyen)

• Anh Viet: 0936 516 991 (9/5 Mieu Hai Xa, Du Hang, Le Chan)

With a motorbike and Google Maps, tourists can effortlessly navigate the city and visit attractions like Hai Phong Opera House, the Old Quarter, Hai Phong Museum, the Cathedral, Tam Bac Lake, King Bao Dai’s Villa, and Tuyet Tinh Coc.

Entry to these attractions is free, except for King Bao Dai’s Villa, which has an admission fee of $0.8 USD. Parking fees range from $0.2 to $0.4 USD per visit.

Savor Street Food

Hai Phong’s culinary scene is renowned throughout Vietnam for its variety, quality, and affordability. Here is a list of must-try dishes, where to find them, and their prices:

You can not miss Hai Phong Street Food once visiting the city

There are more local snacks to try in Hai Phong streets and local markets

Browse Local Markets

Local markets are lively places where travelers can soak in the local atmosphere, shop for regional products, and indulge in street food and snacks all in one go.

Find your local Hai Phong keepsake in local markets

Some of the standout markets in Hai Phong include Tam Bac Market, Cat Bi, Co Dao, Chu Van An, and An Duong. Additionally, there are several famous shopping streets and food alleys, such as Hang Kenh Street, Alley 96 on Hai Ba Trung, and Alley 274 on Lach Tray.

When visiting the markets, you should carry enough VND cash for shopping. Most markets require you to park your vehicle before walking inside. Prices are affordable, typically ranging from $1 - $8 USD per item.

Relax at Tien Lang Hot Spring

After enjoying the beaches, islands, city exploration, culinary delights, and shopping, my last recommendation for things to do in Hai Phong is to spend some relaxing moments at the hot springs.

Tien Lang is an eco-tourism area located 20 km from the city center. This expansive, nature-filled destination offers open spaces for body and mind relaxation. The natural hot spring water here maintains a temperature of 54°C and is rich in minerals beneficial to health.

Services here include indoor and outdoor hot mineral baths, mud baths, and massages. The cost is around $8 USD per service. There is also a dining option available.

Check your list of things to do in Hai Phong

Want to explore further? Check out our post about Vietnam touristy destination.

Above are the top 7 best things to do in Hai Phong that I believe capture the essence of the city’s most worthwhile experiences. You can discover more Hai Phong travel guides through other posts on our website or explore Vietnam tours and contact us for further inquiries.