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Things to Do in Haiphong (2026)
Begin your Haiphong journey at the iconic Opera House, located at 1 Tran Hung Dao Street. Built in 1904, this French colonial landmark hosts occasional performances andβ¦ ποΈ Start at the Opera House
Begin your Haiphong journey at the iconic Opera House, located at 1 Tran Hung Dao Street. Built in 1904, this French colonial landmark hosts occasional performances and is a stunning photo spot. Visit in the late afternoon for the best light, then stroll along the adjacent Tam Bac Lake.
π Explore Du Hang Pagoda
Du Hang Pagoda, at 121 Du Hang Street, is one of the oldest and most serene Buddhist temples in the city. Its intricate wood carvings and peaceful gardens offer a quiet escape from the urban bustle. Admission is free, and it's open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
ποΈ Day Trip to Cat Ba Island
Take a 45-minute hydrofoil from Ben Binh Ferry Terminal to Cat Ba Island, the gateway to Lan Ha Bay. Rent a motorbike to explore Cat Ba National Park or relax on Cat Co beaches. Ferries run hourly from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with tickets around 200,000 VND one way.
π Taste Banh Da Cua
Haiphong's signature dish is banh da cua, a hearty crab noodle soup with thick red noodles. Head to Quan Ba Chung at 1B Le Dai Hanh Street for a bowl at 40,000 VND. The broth is rich with crab roe, and locals swear by the side of fried tofu.
π² Cycle Through the City Center
Rent a bicycle from your hotel or a shop near the Opera House for about 50,000 VND per day. Pedal along the tree-lined boulevards of Dien Bien Phu Street, passing colonial villas and the bustling Cho Sat market. Traffic is lighter in the early morning, making it the ideal time for a ride.
π Walk Across the Cam Bridge
The Cam Bridge, spanning the Cam River, is a modern engineering marvel that offers panoramic views of the city and port. It's especially beautiful at sunset when the sky turns orange over the water. Pedestrians can cross on the dedicated walkway, and it's free to access.
π Catch a Water Puppet Show
The Haiphong Water Puppet Theater at 50 Tran Hung Dao Street puts on nightly performances at 7:30 PM. Tickets cost 100,000 VND for foreigners, and the show tells folk tales through intricate puppetry on water. Arrive 15 minutes early to get a good seat in the small venue.
ποΈ Shop at Cho Sat Market
Cho Sat Market, located at 1 Tran Phu Street, is a bustling covered market where locals buy everything from fresh seafood to textiles. Haggle politely for souvenirs like conical hats or dried squid snacks. It's open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the best deals in the morning.
the cam bridge tip is good but honestly walking it at sunset is a vibe. i grabbed a banh my from a cart near the base and sat on the walkway watching the boats go by, cost me like 15,000 vnd total. the bridge shakes a little when trucks pass but it's fine, just hold the railing. also if you're there on a weekend evening, you'll see kids flying kites from the park underneath
Honestly the bike ride tip is solid but I'd swap it for a xe om ride along the river at dusk. The drivers near the Opera House will take you around the port area for like 30,000 VND and you get to see the cargo ships lit up at night. The breeze off the Cam River makes it worth skipping the pedaling if youre not used to the heat. Also the Cho Sat market tip is good but heads up the seafood section gets real slippery after 10 AM, wear sandals with grip or you'll slide into a pile of squid.
Nice write-up. I'd add that the water puppet theater is worth catching even if you've seen it in Hanoi. The Haiphong version feels more intimate and the puppeteers are often visible through the side curtains, which adds a charming backstage element. Grab a coffee at Cong Caphe on Tran Hung Dao beforehand, their coconut coffee is a solid 35,000 VND and the balcony overlooks the Opera House.
For the banh da cua, Quan Chung is good but I prefer Banh Da Cua Ba Cu at 15 Le Dai Hanh. Her broth has a deeper crab flavor and she adds these tiny shrimp cakes that soak up the soup nicely. Get there before 11 AM or they sell out. The fried tofu is essential, dip it in the chili vinegar they leave on the table.
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.