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Find Hotel in Haiphong (2026): By District + Price
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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
Find Hotel in Haiphong (2026): By District + Price
Haiphong is Vietnam's third-largest city and a major port, but most travelers know it as the gateway to Cat Ba Island and Halong Bay. The city is divided into seven urban districβ¦ ποΈ Where to Start
Haiphong is Vietnam's third-largest city and a major port, but most travelers know it as the gateway to Cat Ba Island and Halong Bay. The city is divided into seven urban districts, each with a distinct vibe and price range. For a short stay, the French Quarter and the area around Hai Phong Opera House offer the most atmosphere and convenience. If you're heading to Cat Ba, consider staying near the ferry terminals in Ben Binh or Minh Khai. This guide breaks down the top neighborhoods for finding a hotel in 2026, with typical rates and booking tips.
ποΈ French Quarter
The French Quarter, centered around the Opera House at 28 Tran Hung Dao, is Haiphong's most elegant area, with tree-lined boulevards and colonial architecture. It suits travelers who want a central base with easy access to restaurants, cafes, and the Sat Market. Budget rooms start at $15 per night, mid-range hotels average $35 to $60, and high-end options like the 5-star Hotel Nikko Haiphong at 1 Thanh Nien Road go for $100 and up. For a mid-range stay, the Avani Hai Phong Harbour View Hotel at 12 Tran Phu Street offers harbor views and a pool for around $70. Book on Agoda or Booking.com about two weeks ahead for the best rates, especially during the April to October high season. The area is a 10-minute walk from the Cat Ba ferry pier at Ben Binh.
π Around the Train Station
The area around Haiphong Railway Station at 75 Luong Khanh Thien Street is a practical choice for travelers arriving or departing by train. It's a busy commercial zone with plenty of budget guesthouses and local eateries. Rates here are lower than the French Quarter: budget rooms from $10 to $20, mid-range from $25 to $45, and few high-end options. The Hong Bang Hotel at 45 Hong Bang Street is a reliable mid-range pick with clean rooms from $30. For budget travelers, the Thanh Binh Hotel at 12 Le Dai Hanh Street offers basic rooms from $12. Book directly with the hotel for the cheapest rates, or use Agoda for last-minute deals. The station is a 15-minute walk from the Opera House and a 10-minute taxi ride to the ferry terminal.
π Ben Binh Ward
Ben Binh Ward, located along the Cam River, is the main departure point for ferries to Cat Ba Island and boats to Halong Bay. It's ideal for travelers who want to be close to the ferry terminal for an early morning departure. Accommodation is mostly budget and mid-range: budget rooms from $12 to $25, mid-range from $30 to $50. The Hai Phong Harbour Hotel at 4 Tran Quang Khai Street is a solid mid-range option with river views from $45. For budget stays, the Cat Ba Ferry Guesthouse at 8 Ben Binh Street offers simple rooms from $15. Book on Booking.com or Agoda, and confirm ferry schedules in advance as they change seasonally. The area is a 5-minute walk from the ferry pier and a 10-minute drive from the city center.
ποΈ Lach Tray District
Lach Tray District is a local residential area south of the city center, known for its lake and park, and it's popular with domestic tourists and long-stay visitors. It offers a quieter, more authentic Vietnamese experience with street food markets and local cafes. Rates are affordable: budget from $10 to $20, mid-range from $25 to $45. The Lac Hong Hotel at 15 Lach Tray Street provides comfortable mid-range rooms from $35. For budget travelers, the Nha Nghi 68 at 68 Lach Tray Street has rooms from $12. Use Agoda or Booking.com to compare prices, and book a few days ahead if you're visiting during a local holiday. The district is a 15-minute taxi ride from the Opera House and a 20-minute drive to the ferry terminal.
ποΈ Do Son Beach
Do Son Beach, about 20 kilometers southeast of Haiphong, is a popular weekend getaway for locals and offers a seaside resort atmosphere. It suits travelers who want a beach break without going all the way to Cat Ba. Rates are higher on weekends: budget from $20 to $40, mid-range from $50 to $80, and high-end resorts like the Do Son Resort at 62 Van Huong Street from $120. For a mid-range option, the Hoang Long Hotel at 45 Van Huong Street has rooms from $60. Book directly with resorts for package deals, or use Agoda for last-minute discounts. The area is a 30-minute taxi ride from Haiphong city center, and local buses run from the Lac Long bus station.
π° Booking Tips
In Haiphong, Agoda and Booking.com are the most widely used platforms, but direct bookings often yield lower rates, especially for budget guesthouses. For the best deals, book one to two weeks in advance during peak season (May to August), and avoid the Lunar New Year when prices spike. If you're heading to Cat Ba, consider staying near the ferry terminal the night before to catch an early boat. Always check the hotel's cancellation policy, as ferry schedules can be unpredictable. Cash is still king for small guesthouses, but most mid-range and upscale hotels accept cards.
β±οΈ 24-Hour Decision
If you only have 24 hours to decide, pick the French Quarter for its central location, colonial charm, and easy access to both the ferry and the train station. It offers the best mix of accommodation, dining, and sightseeing, making it the most convenient base for a short stay. For a beach-focused trip, Do Son is the obvious choice, but it's less convenient for onward travel. Ultimately, the French Quarter is your safest bet for a hassle-free Haiphong visit.
the Cat Ba ferry tip is the one people sleep on. if you're doing the early boat from Ben Binh, staying the night before in that ward saves you a 5am taxi from the French Quarter and the stress of missing it. fwiw the fast ferry to Cat Ba now leaves from the new pier at Got, not the old Ben Binh dock, so double check which terminal your ticket is for before you book a room right next to the river. i got burned on that last summer, walked to Ben Binh with my bag and had to grab a xe om.
Good breakdown of the districts, the Lach Tray section matches what I found when I stayed there for a month last spring. One thing worth flagging that the guide doesn't cover: the new bus rapid transit line along Nguyen Van Linh and Tran Phu makes Lach Tray and even Do Son much easier without taxis. The BRT runs roughly every 10 to 15 minutes and costs 7,000 VND a ride, so you can base yourself cheaply in Lach Tray and still be at the Opera House in about 20 minutes. I'd also push back slightly on Do Son for a short trip, the beach itself is fine but the seafood restaurants along Van Huong charge tourist prices on weekends, so eat one street back.
solid writeup, the district breakdown is more useful than most of what's out there. one thing i'd add for the french quarter: the little alley off ly thuong kiet behind the opera house has a bunch of nha nghi that never show up on agoda, we paid 250k vnd for a clean double last november. if u want the avani view without the avani price, walk 5 min down tran phu and look for the smaller places facing the cam river, they're quieter at night too. only warning is the opera house area gets loud on weekend evenings when locals gather, so ask for a room facing away from the square