1. Why choose a 2-day 1-night trip to Hai Phong?

Hai Phong is one of the most vibrant port cities in the North, nổi bật với cảnh quan thiên nhiên đa dạng từ biển xanh, núi non hùng vĩ cho tới nền văn hóa lâu đời. The city is about 130 km from Hanoi, conveniently connected via the modern Hanoi – Hai Phong expressway and a synchronized transportation system, allowing tourists to travel in just over 2 hours.

Hai Phong Station is a new tourist symbol of the port city. (Source: Collected)

Thanks to synchronized investment in infrastructure and effective tourism promotion activities, Hai Phong is gradually becoming a favorite choice for many tourists for short getaways in 2025.

2. How to Travel to Hai Phong for a 2-Day 1-Night Trip

2.1. Traveling from Hanoi and Northern Provinces to Hai Phong

To get to Hai Phong, tourists have many transportation options depending on their time, budget, and preferences. Popular methods include:

2.1.1. Traveling by train

Trains are a popular choice due to their safety, reasonable cost, and the ease of carrying a lot of luggage. Passengers can also enjoy the scenery along the way and savor local specialties on the train, such as banh duc, banh mi cay, banh gio… throughout the journey.

The luxurious Red Phoenix Flower train takes tourists to Hai Phong. (Source: Vietnam Railway Company)

How to buy tickets: Tickets can be purchased directly at train stations or booked online on the website of the Vietnam Railway Corporation. Ticket prices depend on seat class, departure point, and departure time.

Hanoi – Hai Phong route: From Gia Lam station, there are departures HP1 (06:16), LP3 (09:48), LP5 (15:45), LP7 (18:46).

Hai Phong – Hanoi route: There are departures LP2 (06:10), LP6 (09:05), LP8 (15:00).

Duration and cost: Approximately 2 – 3 hours of travel, with an average ticket price of 70,000 – 80,000 VND/trip.

2.1.2. Traveling by bus

Buses are the most popular means of transport from Hanoi to Hai Phong. In just about 2 hours, tourists can arrive and begin their exploration journey. Reference ticket prices range from 100,000 – 300,000 VND/trip, depending on the type of bus and service.

Ket Doan Bus Company is one of the reputable bus companies with good service quality. (Source: Collected)

Suggestions for some reputable bus companies operating the Hanoi Hai Phong route:

Hai Nguyen Bus Company: Pick up at Soc Son and Aeon Mall Long Bien, drop off at Niem Nghia bus station. Contact: 0336 781 722.

Ket Doan Bus Company: Has many trips per day, passing through My Dinh, Giap Bat, Quan Toan, Thuong Ly bus station. Contact: 0981 529 642.

Hoang Long Bus Company: Provides 45-seater buses and 9-seater limousines. Contact: 0981 529 642

2.1.3. Traveling by motorbike

For travelers who love freedom, exploration, and experiencing the journey, choosing a motorbike for a 2-day, 1-night trip to Hai Phong is a great idea.

From Hanoi, you can depart via the 5B national highway, passing through Hai Duong province before reaching the center of Hai Phong city. The distance is about 120 km, with an average travel time of 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on speed and traffic conditions.

When traveling by motorbike, tourists should prepare complete documents, check their vehicle thoroughly, and bring raincoats, gloves, and windshields. Additionally, it is advisable to start early in the morning to avoid strong sun, ensure safe travel time, and arrive before noon.

2.2. Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City and Southern provinces to Hai Phong

For tourists in the Central and Southern regions, the considerable geographical distance makes air travel the fastest and most convenient mode of transportation. After a 2-hour flight, the plane lands at Cat Bi Airport, only about 5 km from the center of Hai Phong city. From here, you can take a taxi or ride-hailing service to the city center in just a few minutes.

However, the ticket cost is usually quite high, ranging from 2 to 3 million VND for a round trip. In many cases, this cost can be nearly equal to the total budget for a 2-day, 1-night trip to Hai Phong . Therefore, if you want to save money, you can choose another mode of transport or actively hunt for cheap tickets during airline promotions.

3. Suggested Itinerary for a 2-Day, 1-Night Trip to Hai Phong in 2025

Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose to refer to the following 2 detailed 2-day, 1-night Hai Phong travel itineraries:

3.1. Cat Ba 2-Day, 1-Night Itinerary: A Complete Short Getaway

Day 1:

From the city center, travel to Cat Hai station by taxi or personal vehicle. Here, tourists buy tickets and take the Sun World Cat Ba cable car across the sea to the island. The cable car ticket price updated for 2025 is 60,000 VND/way, and children under 1 meter in height are free.

However, ticket prices may vary depending on the time. Tourists should follow the Sun World Cat Ba fanpage or the official website sunworld.vn to hunt for the best promotional tickets.

Tourists depart from Cat Hai station to visit the majestic Cat Ba island. (Source: Collected)

Sitting in the cabin, you can admire the panoramic view of natural wonders with the blue sea below, the overlapping Cat Ba archipelago, and the rich ecosystem of Cat Ba National Park, along with the poetic Lan Ha Bay gradually appearing. Compared to taking a ferry, choosing the cable car saves considerable time, taking less than 15 minutes for the sea crossing.

After checking into your hotel and resting, you can enjoy breakfast on the island with a hot bowl of crab noodle soup. Next, visit Cat Co beach with its clear blue water and fine sandy shore, ideal for swimming and capturing memorable moments under the golden sun and gentle sea breeze.

Cat Co Beach with its crystal clear blue water. (Source: Collected)

In the evening, you can stroll around Cat Ba Night Market, a bustling destination with many food stalls and souvenir shops. The market is located in the town center, near the slope of April 1/4 Street and just a few minutes' walk from the Fish Port Bridge. From here, visitors can easily move to explore, shop, and immerse themselves in the vibrant life of the island.

Day 2:

In the morning, start your journey at Lan Ha Bay, one of the most beautiful bays in Vietnam. This place is nổi bật with its crystal clear jade-green water, along with majestic limestone mountains in various fascinating shapes. Visitors can choose to take a boat trip to enjoy the peaceful scenery, or try exciting water sports such as swimming, scuba diving, and kayaking.

Kayaking is an exciting sport activity on Lan Ha Bay. (Source: Collected)

Next, visit Than Cong Fort (Cannon Fort), a destination renowned as the most beautiful viewpoint on the island. From an altitude of 177m above sea level, this place offers a panoramic view encompassing the Cat Ba Archipelago and the majestic Lan Ha Bay. The fort was built in 1940, consisting of a system of tunnels, military trenches, and large-caliber naval cannons. Besides its historical significance, this destination is also an ideal place for tourists to admire the natural beauty of Cat Ba from a unique perspective.

Historical relic of Cannon Fort on Cat Ba island, a testament to the fierce war period of our country. (Source: Collected)

Before leaving the island and checking out of the hotel, you can visit Hai Phong fishing port to choose and buy fresh, delicious specialties at reasonable prices to bring home as gifts. Popular specialties that many tourists love include Cat Hai fish sauce, Cat Ba squid cake, Cat Ba shrimp paste, or tamarind-rimmed squid…

3.2. Itinerary for exploring Hai Phong city center and Do Son beach

Day 1:

Morning:

You can enjoy breakfast with typical Hai Phong specialties such as crab noodle soup, shrimp paste vermicelli, and baked crab spring rolls. The dishes are not only delicious and reasonably priced but also provide energy for your journey.

Next, visit the Hai Phong Museum, the Hai Phong Opera House, and stroll around Tam Bac Lake, which is vibrant with flamboyant flowers every summer. You can bring a cup of coconut coffee, chamomile tea, or fruit juice to enjoy while walking.

The smooth and rich aroma of specialty coconut coffee is a must-try for tourists visiting the port city. (Source: Collected)

Afternoon: Travel to Do Son beach, about 25 km from the center. This is one of the famous beaches in the North, where you can stroll on the fine sand, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the cool sea breeze.

Evening: Enjoy fresh seafood at the restaurants along Do Son beach. Some suggestions:

• Gió Biển Restaurant: Center of beach area 1 and area 2. Opening hours: 09:00 – 23:00.
• Phuong Nam Restaurant: Block 295A, area 1, Do Son. Opening hours: 07:00 – 22:00. Spacious, can serve up to 500 guests.
• Hong Bang Restaurant: Van Huong street, area 2, Do Son. Opening hours: 08:00 – 00:00. Noted for its rich seafood menu and affordable prices.

Day 2:

Early morning: Don't miss the sunrise moment at Do Son beach. The sun slowly rises, bathing the entire space in golden light. The most beautiful time is from 4 to 5 AM, perfect for capturing impressive photos, so wake up early to "hunt" for this glorious moment.

Tourists should wake up early to catch the majestic sunrise scenery over the sea. (Source: Collected)

Visit Tuong Long Tower: After watching the sunrise, visit Tuong Long Tower, a historical and cultural relic over 1,000 years old. Also known as Chua Thap or Do Son Tower, the structure was built during the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong, when Buddhism flourished. The tower is located on an area of about 2,000 m², 9 stories high, and once reached a height of 100 ancient cubits. This is a destination that offers both spiritual value and an ideal place to admire the panoramic view of Do Son from above.

Tuong Long 9-storey Tower with typical architectural features of Ly Dynasty Buddhism. (Source: Collected)

4. Tips for booking accommodation for a 2-day 1-night trip to Hai Phong

To make your 2-day 1-night trip to Hai Phong more complete, choosing suitable accommodation is an important factor. From luxurious 5-star hotels in the city center, high-class seaside resorts to affordable guesthouses and homestays, Hai Phong offers many diverse options, meeting the needs and budgets of each tourist.

4.1. Suggested hotels and guesthouses in Hai Phong center

In the city center, tourists can choose from many types of accommodation suitable for their needs and budget:

5-star hotel system

Affordable guesthouses:

4.2. Suggested resorts and hotels in Cat Ba

Notable accommodation options on Cat Ba Island include:

4.3. Hotels and resorts in Do Son

5. Tips to make your 2-day 1-night trip to Hai Phong more complete

To ensure your 2-day 1-night trip to Hai Phong goes smoothly, you should pack light, prioritizing comfortable clothes that are easy to move in. If you plan to swim at Cat Ba or Do Son, don't forget to bring swimwear, sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses to protect your health and enjoy your activities.

Pack adequately for a smooth trip. (Source: Collected)

Additionally, during peak tourist season (May – August), hotels and resorts often run out of rooms quickly, so you should book about 2 – 3 weeks in advance to ensure good options at reasonable prices. Another small tip is to bring some small denomination cash, as card payments are not always common at local eateries. These simple preparations will make your journey more complete and comfortable.

With a travel time of Hai Phong 2 days 1 night trip, visitors can fully explore the majestic natural scenery of Cat Ba Island and Do Son beach, as well as experience the vibrant life and characteristic cuisine of the red flamboyant flower city. Arrange a suitable itinerary, choose your preferred accommodation, and get ready for the trip. Hai Phong always welcomes you with exciting experiences and unforgettable memories.