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Find Hotel in Haiphong (2026): By District + Price
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Haiphong on a Budget: Tips 2026
Street food is your best friend here. A bowl of banh da cua at Quan Ba Tam costs just 30,000 VND ($1.25). For a filling com binh dan (rice with meat and veggies), expect to payβ¦ π Eat Like a Local
Street food is your best friend here. A bowl of banh da cua at Quan Ba Tam costs just 30,000 VND ($1.25). For a filling com binh dan (rice with meat and veggies), expect to pay 25,000-40,000 VND. Avoid tourist-heavy spots near the Opera House for cheaper meals.
π Budget Accommodation
Dorm beds in hostels like The Secret Garden Haiphong start at 150,000 VND ($6.50) per night. Private rooms in guesthouses near the city center run 250,000-400,000 VND. Book directly or via local apps like VNDirect for the best rates.
π Cheap Transport
Local buses cost 7,000 VND per ride and cover most attractions. For short trips, rent a bicycle for 50,000 VND/day from shops on Dien Bien Phu Street. GrabBike (motorbike taxi) trips within the city are typically 10,000-20,000 VND.
π« Low-Cost Attractions
Entrance to the Du Hang Pagoda is free, while the Hai Phong Museum charges only 10,000 VND. The Cat Ba National Park entry is 40,000 VND. Many temples and parks, like Tam Bac Lake, have no admission fee.
π Free Things to Do
Stroll along the Lach Tray River promenade at sunset for free. Visit the local flower market on Tran Phu Street early morning. The Haiphong Opera House offers free outdoor concerts on weekends.
π‘ Local Money-Saving Tips
Locals often eat at street stalls rather than restaurants, saving up to 50%. Use the bus instead of taxis for longer trips. Shop at Cho Sat (Saturday Market) for fresh produce and snacks at half the supermarket price.
π΅ Getting Around Cheaply
Renting a motorbike for a day costs about 150,000 VND from shops on Nguyen Duc Canh Street. Gas is cheap, around 20,000 VND per liter. Always negotiate the rental price and check the bike's condition before riding.
π± Useful Apps
Download Grab for affordable rides and food delivery. Use Google Maps offline to avoid data charges. For bus schedules, the app BusMap Haiphong provides real-time routes and stops.
The banh da cua recommendation is spot on, but I'd also suggest trying the banh mi at Banh Mi Que on Lach Tray Street. It's different from the Saigon style with a thicker, crispier bread and a filling of local pork roll, only 15,000 VND. For getting around, the bus to Cat Ba Island from the central station is a steal at around 50,000 VND, and the ferry is included in the ticket price. I've found that renting a bicycle from the shops near the Tam Bac Lake area is usually a bit cheaper than Dien Bien Phu, around 40,000 VND, and they're often less busy.
This is a really solid budget breakdown. One thing I'd add is that the Cat Ba ferry tip is true, but the bus from the central station can get packed on weekends, so if you're flexible, a weekday trip is much more comfortable. For a free activity, I always recommend walking the old railway tracks near the Lach Tray stadium, they've been turned into a small community garden and it's a quiet spot most tourists miss. The banh cuon suggestion from the other reply is legit, that lady has been there for years and her fish sauce dipping sauce is better than any restaurant version I've tried.
Good guide, covers the essentials well. One thing I'd add is that for a real cheap breakfast, grab a couple of banh cuon from the lady who sets up near the Cat Da statue on Tran Hung Dao street. It's a bit hidden but it's only 10,000 VND for two rolls with the fried shallots and pork floss, and it's much better than the sit-down places.
For the free stuff, the flower market is a solid tip but it's really at its peak around 4 AM to 6 AM. If you show up at 8 AM it's mostly just cleanup and the sellers are packing up, so set an alarm if you want the full experience. I've also had good luck booking guesthouses through the local app Mytour instead of VNDirect, their cancellation policy is a bit more flexible.
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