1. Overview of Hai Phong City
Hai Phong is known as the most important port city in the North, serving as the gateway to the sea. With its status as a national-level Grade I urban area, it has effectively played its role as an economic engine, especially in tourism. Hai Phong attracts tourists with its majestic natural landscapes of blue seas, imposing mountains, rich cuisine, and strong cultural identity.
Favored by nature, Hai Phong boasts Cat Ba National Park - a primeval forest recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve, the poetic Cat Ba archipelago, and the majestic Lan Ha Bay. This is an ideal paradise for nature exploration enthusiasts.
Cat Ba Island is majestic. (Source: Compilation)
Not only beautiful landscapes, Hai Phong is also a land associated with the heroic pages of the nation's history. Over more than 4,000 years of history, this place has marked three glorious battles on the Bach Dang River: the victory of Ngo Quyen (938), Le Hoan (981), and Tran Hung Dao (1288). To this day, many historical relics and folk legends are still preserved, creating a unique cultural value for the city.
With a convenient location just about 130 km from Hanoi, connected by a modern expressway, tourists only need a short time to travel to Hai Phong. Thanks to its prime location and developed transportation infrastructure, the port city has become an ideal destination for short trips for families and groups of young people in 2025.
2. How to travel to Hai Phong in 1 day
2.1. Traveling from Hanoi and surrounding provinces to Hai Phong
Traveling by bus:
Buses are the most popular means of transport from Hanoi to Hai Phong. It only takes about 2 hours of travel, and you can enjoy a comfortable rest before starting your exploration of the city of red flamboyant flowers.
Reference ticket price: from 100,000 to 300,000 VND/trip, depending on the bus model and accompanying services.
Some reputable bus companies operating the Hanoi-Hai Phong route:
- Hai Nguyen: Pick up at Soc Son district police (provincial road 131) and opposite Aeon Mall Long Bien (75 Co Linh). Drop-off point: Niem Nghia bus station (275 Tran Nguyen Han). Contact: 0336 781 722.
- Ket Doan Bus: Multiple departures daily, passing My Dinh Office, Giap Bat, Quan Toan, Thuong Ly bus station. Operates from 5:40 AM to 7:00 PM. Contact: 0981 529 642.
- Anh Huy Dat Cang: Departs from Gia Lam bus station, runs along national highway 5. Contact: 0287 100 2456.
- Hoang Long: Offers both 45-seater buses and 9-seater VIP limousines. Contact: 0981 529 642.
Traveling by bus is a popular choice for many travelers. (Source: Collected)
Traveling by private vehicle:
The distance from Hanoi to Hai Phong is about 120 – 135 km, perfectly suitable for a short getaway trip. With a self-driven car or motorbike, you can be proactive about your itinerary, stop for photos, and enjoy local cuisine along the way. However, the 2 – 2.5 hours of continuous driving requires you to ensure your health and comply with traffic safety.
Traveling by train:
If you want to try a new way of traveling, you can choose the Hanoi – Hai Phong train. This is a mode of transport that many young people love for the leisurely feeling of watching the countryside scenery along the way. However, this method takes the most time, while your trip is only 1 day to explore the port city, so consider it carefully.
- Ticket price: is about 70,000 – 100,000 VND/trip.
- Travel time: 2 hours 30 minutes – 3 hours.
- Reference train routes: HP2, LP2, SP2, LP8. Tickets can be booked directly at Gia Lam, Long Bien stations or the official ticketing website.
2.2. Suggestions for time and cost-saving transportation in Hai Phong
During your journey to explore Hai Phong, travelers have many transportation options suitable for their needs and budget. Here are some suggestions to help you save costs and travel conveniently within the city.
- Renting a motorbike – Proactive and flexible
Renting a motorbike for a 1-day trip to Hai Phong is a popular option for many travelers thanks to the flexibility in itinerary and destinations. This vehicle allows you to easily navigate crowded streets, save time, and conveniently visit multiple locations in a single day.
- Ride-hailing apps – Fast and convenient
Hai Phong is a dynamic city where ride-hailing apps like Grab and Be are common. This is an optimal transportation solution for short trips, offering safety, convenience, and peace of mind for travelers unfamiliar with the area.
- Bus – Cost-saving option
Buses are the cheapest public transport for getting around Hai Phong city. However, this method often takes more time due to waiting for the bus and following fixed routes. To save time on a 1-day trip to Hai Phong, travelers should check bus routes and pick-up points in advance on the official information page: xebuyt.net
3. Detailed review of prominent attractions on a 1-day Hai Phong trip
3.1. Hai Phong Opera House
Located at 28 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hong Bang Ward, Hai Phong Opera House has long been an unmissable destination on the journey to explore the red flamboyant flower city. This is not only a work of artistic value, but also a vibrant cultural center, hosting many important performances and events.
Construction began in 1904 during the French colonial period and was completed in 1912, the theater bears the strong imprint of French neoclassical architecture. The structure impresses with its large columns, intricate carvings, and elegant interior, reflecting the cultural exchange between Vietnam and France in the early 20th century. Thus, it is considered a distinctive architectural symbol of Hai Phong, associated with the image of the 'red flamboyant flower city'.
Currently, admission to visit Hai Phong Opera House is completely free between 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM daily. If you wish to enjoy artistic performances, visitors can purchase tickets depending on the program and seating.
Hai Phong Grand Theatre stands majestically in the heart of the city. (Source: Collection)
3.2. Hai Phong Museum
Located at 66 Dien Bien Phu Street, Hong Bang District, Hai Phong Museum is one of the prominent cultural destinations of the red flamboyant city. With an entrance fee of only 5,000 VND/person, this place offers an attractive exploration space for both locals and visitors from all over.
Visiting the museum, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the traditions, culture, and people of Hai Phong. Currently, it houses nearly 20,000 valuable artifacts, vividly reflecting the history of formation and development of the port land. This is the ideal place for those who want to visit and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere for sightseeing.
Hai Phong Museum contributes to educating tradition, history, and culture. (Source: Collection)
The work was built in 1919 on an area of about 1 hectare. What makes the museum special is its European Gothic architectural style with classic lines and soaring domes. Few know that during the French colonial period, this building was once the headquarters of the Franco-Chinese Bank, before becoming the place that preserves the memories and culture of Hai Phong as it is today.
3.3. Visiting Cat Ba Island
Dubbed the "green pearl" of the North, Cat Ba has long been an indispensable destination in the Hai Phong travel itinerary. Besides its wild natural landscape, it also offers visitors a special journey with the Sun World Cat Ba cable car system, a modern sea-crossing cable car system.
Cat Hai Station connects via cable car to Cat Ba Island. (Source: Collected)
The cable car route connects Cat Hai Island to the center of Cat Ba Island. The travel time is less than 15 minutes per trip, significantly shortening the journey compared to taking a ferry. Sitting in the cabin, visitors will have a panoramic and complete view of the emerald bay, towering limestone islands, and peaceful small fishing villages below.
Cat Ba is the only destination in Vietnam that simultaneously holds three titles: Cat Ba National Park, Marine Protected Area, and World Biosphere Reserve. This combination creates a rare natural complex, where forest, marine, and island ecosystems converge, attracting nature-loving tourists.
Cat Ba National Park is considered the giant green lung of the Gulf of Tonkin. (Source: Collected)
From the center of Hai Phong city, visitors travel about 25 km to Cat Hai station, then take the cable car to the island. Arriving at Phu Long station, you can start a day tour to explore Lan Ha Bay. The itinerary usually includes highlights such as: kayaking to explore small islands, swimming at the Ba Trai Dao area, or visiting Cai Beo fishing village to learn about the lives of fishermen.
Tourists enjoy kayaking on Lan Ha Bay. (Source: Collected)
To make your 1-day Hai Phong trip complete, you should book cable car tickets in advance and plan for a morning departure and evening return. This way, you will have enough time to experience the pristine nature of the islands and enjoy the modern services at Sun World Cat Ba. This is also an ideal check-in spot, where any angle can capture memorable photos.
4. Experience a 1-day "food tour" in Hai Phong
4.1. Top 5 dishes to try on a 1-day Hai Phong trip
4.1.1. Crab noodle soup
When talking about Hai Phong cuisine, crab noodle soup is an indispensable flavor. A bowl of glossy red noodles, blended with the sweet and clear taste of sea crab, shrimp, mantis shrimp, and fragrant fish cake and betel leaf sausage... has become an unforgettable taste memory for tourists.
Piping hot Banh Da Cua, with its rich seafood flavor, captivates diners. (Source: Collected)
The price of this dish ranges from 35,000 to 50,000 VND. Some long-standing Banh Da Cua eateries with authentic local flavors you can refer to during your one-day trip to Hai Phong:
- Ba Cu Eatery at 179 Cau Dat (Ngo Quyen ward)
- Co Yen Banh Da Cua (2B Pham Ngu Lao, Ngo Quyen ward)
- Hai Phong Banh Da Cua (48 Lach Tray ward)
4.1.2. Nem Cua Be
In the treasure trove of Hai Phong cuisine, Nem Cua Be is a delicacy that bears the imprint of the sea. The fresh, firm-fleshed crabs, caught by fishermen from the waters of Do Son, Cat Hai, or even further to Bach Long Vi, are the soul of this dish. The crab meat is extracted, skillfully mixed with pork, wood ear mushrooms, bean sprouts, carrots, and many other ingredients, then wrapped in a thin rice paper layer.
Nem cua be served with rice vermicelli and sweet and sour dipping sauce will make your meal burst with flavor. (Source: Collected)
When fried in oil, each spring roll becomes crispy, its fragrance filling the street corner. This is an indispensable dish on the Hai Phong food tour menu. This nutritious dish will help you recharge your energy to continue your journey of exploring the city.
This dish ranges in price from 70,000 VND to 200,000 VND. Here are some suggestions for places to enjoy Hai Phong crab noodle soup:
- Thuan Yen Crab Spring Roll Shop (88 Tran Nhat Duat Street, Ngo Quyen Ward, Hai Phong City).
- Phuong Mai Restaurant (87 Cat Cut Street, Le Chan Ward, Hai Phong City)
- Co Dao Market Crab Spring Rolls (Co Dao Market, Ngo Quyen Ward, Hai Phong City).
4.1.3. Oc xao cay
Speaking of Hai Phong street food, alongside banh mi cay or the famous banh da cua, oc xao cay is always on the list of delicious dishes chosen by many diners.
- Thuong Snail Shop: Located at 269 Le Loi Street, Ngo Quyen Ward, Hai Phong City. Reference price: 10,000 to 160,000 VND/dish.
- Thuy Linh 96 Snail Shop: Main address at 91 Street 208, An Duong Ward, Hai Phong City, with 7 other branches. Reference price: 50,000 - 100,000 VND/dish.Huong Oc Hai Phong: Located at 274 Hang Kenh Street, Le Chan Ward, Hai Phong City.Reference price: 20,000 - 100,000 VND/dish
Stir-fried snails with various spices are a familiar snack for the people of Hai Phong. (Source: Collected)
4.1.4. Bun ca mang cay
This dish, featuring crispy fried fresh fish served with a spicy broth and sweet and sour pickled bamboo shoots, will make diners' meals more complete.
- Bun ca cay Le Loi: No. 66 Le Loi, Ngo Quyen Ward, Hai Phong City
- Bun ca Van Cao: No. 156 Van Cao, Ngo Quyen Ward, Hai Phong City
4.1.5. Gia be xao
It is a unique afternoon snack of Hai Phong people, made from fresh sea asparagus, stir-fried with rich spices to highlight the fragrant, sweet taste of the sea asparagus.
- Gia be Hue Beo: No. 103 Du Hang, Le Chan Ward, Hai Phong City
- Chu Van An Market: No. 55 Chu Van An, Ngo Quyen Ward, Hai Phong City
4.2. Discover specialties at traditional markets
4.2.1. Cat Bi Market
- Address: Hai An Ward, Hai Phong City.
Cat Bi Market has long been considered a familiar stop for food lovers visiting Hai Phong. Starting to bustle around 3 PM, Cat Bi Market welcomes diners with a series of attractive dishes and drinks, beautifully displayed and full of local flavor.
Cat Bi Market is known as a snack paradise. (Source: Collected)
4.2.2. Nui Deo Market
- Address: Nui Deo Commune, Hai Phong City.
This market sells traditional Hai Phong dishes such as: stir-fried snails, various seafood, shrimp vermicelli, crab noodle soup… This market is always bustling with buyers and sellers, in addition, there are other items such as: clothes, souvenirs, fabrics…
4.2.3. Tam Bac Market
- Address: Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hong Bang Ward, Hai Phong City.
Tam Bac Market is one of the markets associated with the ups and downs of Hai Phong's history. After being devastated by air raids during the war, people here are accustomed to calling this place "Cho Do" (Fallen Market). Today, this market is not only a major hub for supplying fruits and agricultural products to the city, but also a familiar destination for shopping for items such as dried goods, traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, sweets and candies, or clothes.
With just 1 day in Hai Phong, you can fully experience the beauty of this dynamic port city: from its ancient French architectural imprints, to its cool green beaches. Let your 1-day trip to Hai Phong in 2025 become a truly complete memory in your exploration journey.
