Hai Phong is not only a major economic center but also a convergence of attractive destinations, from historical architectural works to pristine beaches and fresh seafood.
With a distance of only about 120 km from Hanoi, traveling to Hai Phong is extremely convenient, suitable for a weekend trip. You can explore the Opera House, Cat Ba Island, or enjoy the famous crab noodle soup - all in just 2 days.
- Ideal time to travel to Hai Phong
- Transportation to Hai Phong
- Detailed 2 days 1 night Hai Phong travel itinerary
- Day 1: Explore Hai Phong city center and culture
- Day 2: Explore Cat Ba nature and return
- Compare popular destinations in Hai Phong
- Tips to save money when traveling to Hai Phong on your own
- Hai Phong Cuisine: Dishes Not to Be Missed
Ideal time to travel to Hai Phong
Hai Phong has a typical Northern climate, with four distinct seasons. The ideal time to travel is:
- April to August : Summer, suitable for swimming in Do Son or exploring Cat Ba island.
- September to November : Autumn, cool, pleasant weather, suitable for sightseeing and cultural exploration activities.
Avoid going during the rainy season (June-August) if you don't want sudden rains to interrupt your journey.
Transportation to Hai Phong
Hai Phong is easily accessible from Hanoi and neighboring provinces. Below is a comparison table of popular means of transportation:
| Vehicle | Travel time from Hanoi | Cost (VND) | Advantage | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coach | 2-3 hours | 150,000 - 200,000 | Cheap, many time slots | Can be crowded on weekends |
| Train | 3 hours | 50,000 - 85,000 | Comfortable, beautiful view | Fixed hours, less flexibility |
| Self-driving cars/motorbikes | 2-2.5 hours | 100,000 - 200,000 (gas) | Freedom, proactive time | Need health, driving experience |
| Plane | 1.5-2 hours (from Ho Chi Minh City) | 910,000 - 1,300,000 | Fast, convenient | Higher cost |
Detailed 2 days 1 night Hai Phong travel itinerary
Below is a detailed suggested itinerary so you can fully explore Hai Phong in 2 days.
Day 1: Explore Hai Phong city center and culture
Morning: Travel to Hai Phong and visit the Opera House
- 7:00 - 9:00 : Depart from Hanoi by bus or train. If you go from Ho Chi Minh City, you can take an early flight to Cat Bi airport.
- 9:30 - 10:00 : Check in at hotel and take a light rest.
- 10:30 - 12:00 : Visit Hai Phong Opera House , an architectural work with strong French influence, built in 1912. This is where many major cultural events take place and is a check-in spot not to be missed.
Prepare your camera or phone to take pictures in front of the Opera House. Don't forget to stand at the opposite corner to get a panoramic view of the building.
Lunch: Enjoy Hai Phong cuisine
- 12:30 - 13:30 : Lunch at Ba Cu's Rice Noodle Soup (179 Cau Dat). The rice noodle soup with crab has a rich broth and plenty of toppings, a specialty not to be missed. Price is about 50,000 - 70,000 VND/bowl.
Afternoon: Explore Cat Ba and Cai Beo fishing village
- 14:00 - 15:30 : Go to Got pier to take a speedboat to Cat Ba island (ticket price is about 220,000 VND/person). Travel time is about 45 minutes.
- 16:00 - 17:30 : Visit Cai Beo fishing village , one of the oldest fishing villages in Vietnam with over 7,000 years of history. You can rent a kayak (100,000 VND/hour) to explore the floating houses and cool blue water.
Evening: Stroll around the city and enjoy seafood
- 18:30 - 20:00 : Dinner at Cat Ba Seafood Restaurant (Cat Ba center area). Try dishes such as grilled squid, grilled scallops with scallion oil, or seafood hotpot. Average price 150,000 - 300,000 VND/person.
- 20:30 - 22:00 : Stroll around Cat Ba walking street, enjoy the sea air at night and shop for souvenirs.
Day 2: Explore Cat Ba nature and return
Morning: Cat Ba National Park and Cat Co beach
- 6:00 - 7:00 : Watch the sunrise at Cat Co 1 or 2 beach. This is the ideal time to enjoy the fresh air and take pictures.
- 7:30 - 8:30 : Breakfast with spicy bread at 37 Dinh Tien Hoang (price about 15,000 - 20,000 VND/loaf).
- 9:00 - 11:30 : Visit Cat Ba National Park . You can choose a short walking tour (2 hours, ticket price 80,000 VND/person) or rent a bicycle (50,000 VND/hour) to explore the primeval forest and rich flora and fauna.
Lunch: Enjoy specialties and prepare to return
- 12:00 - 13:00 : Lunch at Viet Hai Restaurant (Viet Hai village, price around 100,000 - 200,000 VND/person). Try local braised fish or grilled chicken.
- 13:30 - 15:00 : Travel from Cat Ba to Hai Phong by speedboat.
Afternoon: Shopping for specialties and ending the journey
- 15:30 - 17:00 : Visit Cat Bi market to buy specialties such as Cat Hai fish sauce, spicy bread, or dried squid as gifts.
- 17:30 : Get on the bus or train back to Hanoi, end of trip.
Compare popular destinations in Hai Phong
To help you easily choose the right place to visit, here is a comparison table of the featured locations:
| Location | Visiting time | Cost (VND) | Outstanding features | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opera House | 30 minutes - 1 hour | Free of charge | Ancient French architecture, beautiful check-in | Lover of history and culture |
| Cai Beo fishing village | 1-2 hours | 100,000 - 200,000 | Peaceful landscape, kayak experience | Nature lover |
| Cat Ba National Park | 2-4 hours | 80,000 | Primary forest, biodiversity | People who like to explore and climb mountains |
| Cat Co Beach | 1-2 hours | Free of charge | Blue sea, white sand, watching the sunrise | Family, couple |
Tips to save money when traveling to Hai Phong on your own
- Book tickets and rooms early : Use travel platforms to hunt for plane tickets, buses, or hotel rooms at preferential prices.
- Eat at local restaurants : Sidewalk eateries such as crab noodles and spicy bread are often cheaper than restaurants but still ensure quality.
- Motorbike rental : With a price of only 80,000 - 150,000 VND/day, motorbike is an economical and flexible way to travel in the city.
- Choose a group tour : If you go to Cat Ba, choose a group tour instead of renting a private boat to reduce costs.
Hai Phong Cuisine: Dishes Not to Be Missed
Hai Phong is a culinary paradise with specialties that captivate visitors. Here is a list of dishes you should try:
- Rice noodle soup with crab : Rich broth, diverse toppings such as fish cakes, meat, shrimp. Suggested address: Ba Cu Rice noodle soup (179 Cau Dat).
- Spicy bread : Compact bread, fragrant pate, served with special chili sauce. Address: 37 Dinh Tien Hoang.
- Fresh seafood : Grilled squid, scallops, steamed crab. Address: Restaurants in Cat Ba or Do Son area.
- Thai Tea : Sweet, cool, suitable for dessert. Address: Thai Tea shop near the Opera House.
Hai Phong 2 days 1 night self-sufficient tour is an opportunity for you to explore a city that is both modern and rich in cultural and natural values. From bustling streets, authentic dishes, to cool blue beaches, Hai Phong will bring you unforgettable memories.
Source: https://baonghean.vn/du-lich-hai-phong-48-gio-tron-ven-trong-pho-cang-10301240.html
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