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Best Food in Haiphong (2026)
Haiphong is famous for its seafood and noodle dishes. Banh da cua, a thick crab noodle soup, is a must-try, along with banh mi que, a crispy breadstick sandwich. For a sweeβ¦ π Iconic Dishes to Try
Haiphong is famous for its seafood and noodle dishes. Banh da cua, a thick crab noodle soup, is a must-try, along with banh mi que, a crispy breadstick sandwich. For a sweet treat, look for kem que, a local ice cream bar sold by street vendors.
π² Top Restaurants for Banh Da Cua
For the best banh da cua, head to Quan Banh Da Cua Ba Lua at 34 Le Loi Street, open from 6 AM to 10 PM. A bowl costs around 40,000 VND. Another popular spot is Banh Da Cua Ba Be at 60 Dien Bien Phu, where the broth is rich and the crab flavor is intense.
π₯ Best Banh Mi Que Stalls
Banh mi que is a Haiphong specialty, and the best stalls are on Luong Khanh Thien Street near the train station. A serving of 10 sticks with dipping sauce costs about 20,000 VND. Try Banh Mi Que Ba Phuong at 12 Luong Khanh Thien, open from 3 PM to 9 PM.
π¦ Seafood Hotspots by the River
For fresh seafood, visit the Tam Bac River area where floating restaurants serve grilled shrimp, clams, and fish. Nha Hang Thuy Ta at 1 Tran Phu offers a riverside dining experience with dishes starting at 100,000 VND. It is open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM.
π¦ Where to Find Kem Que
Kem que, or stick ice cream, is sold by vendors around the Opera House and along Dien Bien Phu Street. Flavors include coconut, durian, and green bean, each costing 5,000 VND. Look for the carts with colorful umbrellas, especially in the late afternoon.
π Night Market Food Stalls
The Haiphong Night Market on Tran Phu Street comes alive from 6 PM to 11 PM on weekends. You will find stalls selling grilled skewers, fried spring rolls, and fresh sugarcane juice. Prices are affordable, with most items between 10,000 and 30,000 VND.
π΅ Local Drinks to Complement Your Meal
Pair your meal with a glass of tra da (iced tea) or nuoc mia (sugarcane juice), available at most eateries for 5,000 VND. For a stronger option, try ruou nep (fermented sticky rice wine) at local bars near the city center. These drinks are refreshing and cheap.
π Getting Around to Eat
Most food spots are concentrated in the city center, so walking or taking a short taxi ride is easy. Use ride-hailing apps like Grab for quick trips, with fares starting at 10,000 VND. Renting a bicycle is also a great option for exploring the food scene at your own pace.
honestly the banh da cua guide is spot on but i think people sleep on the versions with cha ca (fried fish cake) instead of crab. the place on Hoang Van Thu street does a killer bowl with both crab and fish cake for 50k and the lady there has been running it for like 30 years
for seafood i'd skip the river spots entirely and head to the alley behind the Cat Bi airport around 6 PM. there's a bunch of stalls that set up with plastic tables and the grilled scallops with onion fat and peanuts are unreal. a plate of like 10 scallops is 80k and they give you this tangy fish sauce dip that's addictive
one thing nobody mentions is the banh trang nuong (grilled rice paper) sold near the university gates around 8 PM. it's different from the Saigon version - they use a thicker rice paper and load it with quail egg, dried shrimp, and this creamy pork spread. 15k each and perfect for a light dinner before hitting the night market
ngl this is a solid guide. One thing I'd add is the banh da cua at Ba Lua is great but if you want a more local vibe go to the spot on Quang Trung Street near the morning market. It's a tiny place with plastic stools but the broth is smokier and they add extra pork for like 45k
Also for kem que the coconut one is the best imo but the durian flavor is super intense if you're feeling brave. The vendors near the Opera House usually have a wider selection than the ones on Dien Bien Phu
And honestly skip the night market for food unless you just want snacks. The real late night eats are on Cat Cut Street where they open around 10 PM and do grilled squid with this spicy salt dip that's insanely good
yeah this is a really good breakdown. One thing I'd add is that the banh mi que from the stalls near the train station is at its best right when they open around 3 PM - the breadsticks are still warm and extra crispy. I usually grab a batch and eat them while walking along the tracks, it's a whole vibe
For seafood I actually prefer the smaller family-run places on the alley behind the Tam Bac market rather than the big floating restaurants. There's one called Quan Oc Ba Sau that does these grilled clams with peanuts and scallion oil for like 60k, way better than the tourist spots and the owner is super friendly
Also if you're into coffee try the ca phe trung (egg coffee) at a little place on Minh Khai Street near the cathedral. It's thicker and creamier than the Hanoi version and only 25k a cup. They close at 5 PM though so get there early
3 Days in Haiphong: Itinerary 2026
This 3-day itinerary groups attractions by neighborhood to minimize transit time. Haiphong's compact city center and reliable taxi network make it easy to explore. Plan for 10-1β¦ πΊοΈ Overview & Tips
This 3-day itinerary groups attractions by neighborhood to minimize transit time. Haiphong's compact city center and reliable taxi network make it easy to explore. Plan for 10-15 minute rides between districts, and budget around 50,000-100,000 VND per trip.
ποΈ Day 1: City Center
Start at the iconic Haiphong Opera House (1 Phan Dinh Phung) at 9 AM, then walk to the nearby Queen of the Rosary Cathedral (45 Nguyen Cong Tru). For lunch, try Banh Da Cua at Quan Ba Tam (27 Luong Khanh Thien) for around 40,000 VND. Spend the afternoon at the Haiphong Museum (66 Dien Bien Phu, open 8 AM-5 PM, 30,000 VND).
π Day 1 Evening: Local Eats
Head to the night market on Tam Bac Street (6 PM-10 PM) for street food like banh mi and nem cua be. For a sit-down dinner, visit Com Nieu Cua Bien (12 Tran Phu) for seafood hotpot, averaging 200,000 VND per person. End the night with a stroll around the illuminated Tam Bac Lake.
πΏ Day 2: Cat Ba Island
Take the 7 AM hydrofoil from Ben Binh Ferry Terminal (1 hour, 250,000 VND one way) to Cat Ba Island. Rent a motorbike (150,000 VND/day) and explore Cat Ba National Park (entry 80,000 VND). Hike to Ngu Lam Peak for panoramic views. Have lunch at a local seafood restaurant near Cat Ba Town center.
ποΈ Day 2 Afternoon: Beaches
After lunch, drive to Cat Co 1 Beach (free entry) for swimming and sunbathing. Alternatively, visit Lan Ha Bay by kayak (book a 2-hour tour for 300,000 VND). Return to Haiphong by the 5 PM hydrofoil. For dinner, try Bun Ca at Quan Bun Ca Cay Da (16 Minh Khai) for 35,000 VND.
π― Day 3: Du Hang Pagoda
Start at Du Hang Pagoda (121 Du Hang, free entry, open 7 AM-5 PM), a 300-year-old Buddhist temple with beautiful gardens. Then visit the nearby Hang Kenh Communal House (144 Hang Kenh) to see intricate wood carvings. Both are within walking distance of each other.
ποΈ Day 3 Afternoon: Shopping
Spend the afternoon at the Cho Sat (Iron Market) at 1 Hoang Van Thu, open daily 6 AM-6 PM. Buy local specialties like banh da (rice crackers) and seafood. For souvenirs, visit the Lac Long Bookstore (24 Dien Bien Phu) for postcards and maps. End with a coffee at Cong Caphe (50 Dien Bien Phu) for 45,000 VND.
π Getting Around
Taxis from Mai Linh or Vinasun are reliable and metered. For budget travel, use local buses (7,000 VND per ride) or rent a motorbike (150,000 VND/day). The city is bike-friendly, but watch for traffic. Download Grab for convenient ride-hailing.
honestly this is a well thought out plan, you nailed the pacing. one thing i'd tweak is day 1 evening - instead of the night market on tam bac, try the little alley behind the opera house on luong van can around 7pm. there's a lady who sells banh my que (grilled skewers with bread) for like 15k each and they're way better than the touristy stuff. the night market is fine but gets packed with groups and the food stalls are hit or miss. also for day 3, cong caphe is solid but if you want a quieter spot, head to the rooftop at the hanoi pho place on 2 tran quoc toan, they do a mean egg coffee for 35k and the view over the old quarter is nice. your cat ba day is spot on, the hydrofoil tip from the other reply is key - buy that ticket early or you'll be stuck.
Really solid itinerary, you covered the highlights well. I'd suggest swapping the Cat Ba afternoon for a kayak trip through Lan Ha Bay instead of just lounging on Cat Co beach, the limestone karsts are way more impressive from the water and you'll see way fewer tourists.
This is a solid plan, especially the Cat Ba day. One thing I would add is that the hydrofoil can sell out on weekends, so buy your ticket a day in advance from the Ben Binh ticket counter. I made that mistake last summer and had to wait two hours for the next one. For the Du Hang Pagoda morning on Day 3, if you are there around 10 AM, the incense and quiet gardens are a nice break before the chaos of Cho Sat. The market is worth the trip, but watch your pockets in the crowded aisles near the seafood stalls.