1. Introduction to Hai Phong Sea
1.1. What does Hai Phong Sea offer?
Hai Phong Sea boasts a coastline of over 120km, stretching across many famous areas such as Do Son, Cat Ba, Hon Dau… Each place has its own charm: Do Son sea with its fine, gentle sandy beach and mild waves suitable for swimming; Cat Ba stands out with its clear blue water, majestic limestone cliffs, and diverse marine ecosystem. The seawater in Hai Phong is usually bluish, with a pleasant temperature year-round, providing a refreshing feeling for tourists when relaxing or having fun.
Not only beautiful scenery, but the beaches here are also equipped with synchronized tourism services, restaurants, hotels, and high-class resorts. The system of coastal paths, clean public beaches, along with many modern amenities such as sun loungers, freshwater shower areas, and sea sports zones, effectively meet tourists' needs. This combination of nature, infrastructure, and services has made Hai Phong Sea one of the ideal destinations for tourism in the North.
1.2. Development and innovation of Hai Phong Sea updated for 2025
Entering 2025, Hai Phong Sea takes on a new, youthful, modern, and vibrant appearance. The port city not only improves its landscape and expands its sea-facing spaces but also focuses on building the image of a “green and smart coastal city,” where tourists can both relax and feel the dynamic rhythm of a coastal urban area.
Wide coastal roads, high-class resorts emerging along the sandy shores, and increasingly professional tourism services have brought a modern Hai Phong while retaining its inherent tranquility. Visitors returning will easily notice the significant changes, from infrastructure and living spaces to the quality of experience, all contributing to making Hai Phong Sea the most outstanding tourist destination in the North in 2025.
Fine white sandy beaches along the coast of Hai Phong. (Source: Collected)
3. Famous Hai Phong Coastal Destinations
3.1. Notable Beaches in Hai Phong
3.1.1. Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba Island is the pearl of the Northern region, home to three famous beaches: Cat Co 1 Beach, Cat Co 2 Beach, and Cat Co 3 Beach, connected by a gentle wooden path along the mountainside. These three beaches all boast fine sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and a harmonious natural landscape between sea and mountains.
Each beach has its own "personality": Cat Co 1 is lively and convenient; Cat Co 2 is quieter, ideal for relaxation; Cat Co 3 is suitable for those who want a resort experience or beach sports activities.
Cat Co Beach 1,2,3 connected by a wooden path. (Source: Collected)
3.1.2. Do Son Beach
Do Son Beach, located near Hai Phong city, about 20 km southeast, is an ideal choice for short trips. The sand here has a light brown color characteristic of the Northern Vietnamese coast, accompanied by slightly murky water but no less of a sea flavor.
The beach is divided into three main areas – Zone I focuses on many services, Zone II is more crowded, and Zone III is a more peaceful option to avoid noise.
3.1.3. Tung Thu Beach (Cat Ba)
Located about 1 km from the center of Cat Ba town, Tung Thu Beach stands out with its wild beauty and more relaxing atmosphere compared to crowded beaches. Embraced by nature with rocky cliffs and pine forests, this place is suitable for those seeking tranquility.
The beach has a large area, clear blue water, and is suitable for activities such as kayaking and relaxing by the sea – ideal if you want to avoid noise and find a more private spot.
3.1.4. Van Boi Beach (Lan Ha Bay)
Nestled in Lan Ha Bay, Van Boi Beach exudes tranquility with its fine white sand and crystal-clear water, so clear you can see the bottom. Surrounded by limestone mountains and green forests, this is an ideal resort destination for those who want to immerse themselves in nature.
As it is less heavily exploited, the beach retains a wild and quiet feel, making it an excellent choice for nature-loving tourists who want to escape the city's hustle and bustle and truly relax.
3.1.5. Cat Dua Beach
Cat Dua Beach, located on Monkey Island (Cat Ba), is a "secret paradise" with two crescent-shaped beaches, fine white sand, and clear blue sea, ideal for avoiding crowds and taking stunning photos.
Just a few minutes by canoe from Cat Ba town, this beach also allows you to combine with light trekking or rent a kayak to explore more of the surrounding forest and white limestone mountains, a relaxing yet adventurous experience.
3.2. Cat Ba UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 2023, the Cat Ba archipelago was recognized by UNESCO as a natural world heritage site, opening a new chapter for tourism in Hai Phong's sea . The beauty combining bays, limestone mountains, mysterious caves, primeval forests, and hundreds of large and small islands has created a unique landscape. The area is notable for its diverse ecosystem with special-use forests, mangrove forests, coral reefs, and the rare Cat Ba langur.
Experiencing the panoramic view of Lan Ha Bay from the 3.955 km long Sun World Cat Ba cable car is a great opportunity to admire the entire beauty of this place. Visitors can play, swim at Cat Co, kayak, dive to explore coral reefs, or trek through the forest. An ideal itinerary in Cat Ba starts with a scenic cable car ride early in the morning, enjoying local specialties at noon, indulging in sea activities and visiting Monkey Island in the afternoon, and ending the day with a stroll along the beach and enjoying fresh seafood at the night markets.
Tourists enjoy the Sun World Cat Ba cable car experience from above. ( Source: Compilation)
4. Hai Phong Sea Cuisine to Try
4.1. Outstanding Specialties in Hai Phong Sea
4.1.1. Salt-Roasted Mantis Shrimp
Salt-roasted mantis shrimp (also known as 'tom tit') is a familiar dish for tourists visiting Hai Phong's beaches, especially in Do Son and Cat Ba. Fresh mantis shrimp are stir-fried until crispy with rock salt, garlic, and chili, creating an unforgettable savory and crunchy flavor.
The dish is not only appealing for its rich sea flavor but also reflects the local people's sophisticated cooking methods, being both rustic and characteristic of the port region.
4.1.2. Crab Spring Rolls
Crab spring rolls have long been a signature culinary symbol of Hai Phong. The filling consists of fresh crab meat, glass noodles, wood ear mushrooms, bean sprouts, and shrimp, neatly wrapped in rice paper and fried until golden and crispy.
Tourists can enjoy crab spring rolls at many seafood restaurants along Do Son beach or in the central seafood markets. When served with sweet and sour fish sauce and fresh herbs, the rich, sweet flavor of the crab blends together, leaving a lasting impression on everyone.
4.1.3. Crab Noodle Soup
Crab noodle soup is a characteristic dish closely associated with the life of the people in Hai Phong's coastal region. The chewy, soft red rice noodles are combined with a rich, golden broth made from freshwater crabs, topped with fried shallots, water spinach, and pork wrapped in betel leaves, creating a distinctive and unforgettable flavor.
Tourists can easily find this dish anywhere, from small roadside stalls to famous restaurants. A hot, fragrant bowl of crab noodle soup, exuding a countryside aroma, is always an excellent choice to start a day exploring Hai Phong's coast.
4.2. Suggestions for Famous Coastal Restaurants and Eateries
4.2.1. Floating Restaurant 559
Located on a floating raft in the sea at Cat Ba Island, Floating Restaurant 559 offers a seafood dining experience amidst the water, allowing diners to enjoy the view of the bay while eating.
The menu here focuses on extremely fresh seafood. You can choose from live seafood tanks at the restaurant, such as abalone, crab, and lobster, and request them to be prepared to your liking. Combined with the sunset and the sea breeze, this place is an ideal choice for a special meal in Cat Ba.
4.2.2. Northern Bay Restaurant
Northern Bay Restaurant is considered one of the high-quality seafood dining spots in Hai Phong.
With its spacious environment and meticulously prepared fresh seafood, it is an ideal choice for tourists and groups of friends from all over.
4.2.3. Sam Hoang Anh Restaurant
Upon arriving at the Do Son beach tourist area, Sam Hoang Anh is a must-visit with its large space and diverse menu of fresh seafood.
The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, suitable for families or large groups, making the meal more comfortable and enhancing the seaside experience.
4.2.4. Cat Ba Dream Cruise
The Cat Ba Dream Cruise is an ideal choice for those who want to admire the beauty of Lan Ha Bay while enjoying a meal rich in sea flavors. The luxurious space and the spacious deck facing the ocean offer a relaxing and romantic atmosphere amidst the vast waves.
The cruise's menu is diverse, skillfully blending Vietnamese cuisine with European dishes, most notably fresh seafood prepared on the spot. Meals are served buffet-style with a variety of hot dishes, salads, grilled items, and steamed seafood. In particular, guests can enjoy an attractive afternoon tea with fresh fruits, pastries, and juices, creating a complete journey amidst the stunning sunset scenery over the sea.
Tourists experience a restaurant on the sea in Lan Ha Bay. (Source: Collected)
5. Experience exploring Hai Phong Sea
5.1. Best time of year to travel
From April to October annually is considered the most favorable time to visit Hai Phong Sea . At this time, the weather is clear, the sea is calm, creating favorable conditions for underwater activities and relaxation. Stable weather and low rainfall help tourists confidently plan their exploration without worrying about weather disruptions.
Unique festivals such as the Do Son festival during the first lunar month or the buffalo fighting festival in the eighth lunar month offer vibrant traditional cultural experiences. Besides, the summer here is also more exciting with sea sports and cultural activities attracting the attention of many domestic and international tourists.
5.2. Convenient ways to travel to Hai Phong Sea
The journey from Hanoi to Hai Phong Sea is quite convenient with many options such as personal cars, and coaches, with travel time only about 2 to 2.5 hours. High-class sleeper buses and limousines operate continuously with reasonable ticket prices. Additionally, tourists can choose trains or airplanes to Cat Bi Airport. Notably, there are now high-speed ferries from the mainland to Cat Ba, saving time.
Visitors from Ho Chi Minh City can also easily reach Hai Phong thanks to direct flights to Cat Bi Airport, and then can continue to travel by taxi, bus, or high-speed ferry to famous beaches. Traveling between points in the Hai Phong Sea area is also very convenient thanks to the system of taxis, motorbikes, city buses, ferries, and high-speed boats connecting destinations like Do Son, Cat Ba, Van Hoa, and Bach Long Vi.
5.3. Tips for planning your itinerary and safety precautions for swimming
To have a complete trip to Hai Phong Sea , preparing suitable clothing is very important. Bring a sun-protective jacket, swimwear, flip-flops, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and other essential compact personal items. Thorough preparation will help you confidently enjoy every moment by the sea.
When swimming, tourists should adhere to safety guidelines: only swim in designated areas, pay attention to water depth or warnings about waves and winds, do not swim far from shore, and ensure children always have life jackets. Besides, everyone should maintain beach cleanliness, limit littering, use less single-use plastic, and actively participate in environmental cleanup activities if opportunities arise.
Tourists equip life jackets when experiencing activities at Hai Phong Sea to ensure safety. (Source: Collected)
Hai Phong Sea 2025 opens up a vibrant picture, where natural beauty blends with the pace of modern development of the port city. From the clear blue waters, long stretches of sand to colorful check-in spots, everything promises to bring an inspiring exploration journey. Get ready for the trip to fully feel the new vitality and capture unforgettable moments by the Hai Phong Sea!
