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Typical Souvenirs from Haiphong (2026)
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Haiphong Hidden Gems (2026)
Begin your offbeat exploration at the Du Hang Pagoda, a serene 17th-century temple tucked away on Chua Hang Street. It's free to enter and rarely crowded, offering a peaceful escβ¦ πΊοΈ Where to Start
Begin your offbeat exploration at the Du Hang Pagoda, a serene 17th-century temple tucked away on Chua Hang Street. It's free to enter and rarely crowded, offering a peaceful escape from the city's bustle. The intricate woodcarvings and moss-covered statues make it a photographer's delight.
ποΈ Hidden Neighborhoods
Wander through the narrow alleys of the Cat Bi neighborhood, where French colonial villas stand quietly among local homes. This area feels like a step back in time, with no tourist shops in sight. Grab a coffee at a sidewalk stall and watch daily life unfold.
π Off-Map Eateries
For authentic banh da cua, head to Quan Banh Da Cua on 42 Lach Tray Street, a no-frills spot loved by locals. A bowl costs around 30,000 VND and is packed with crab flavor. Arrive before 11 a.m. to avoid the lunch rush.
π Quiet Viewpoints
Tam Bac Lake offers a tranquil sunset view away from the tourist trail. Walk along the eastern shore near the Tam Bac Bridge for the best perspective. Locals often fish here, and the reflection of the old French buildings on the water is stunning.
π² Getting Around
Rent a bicycle from your hotel or a local shop for about 50,000 VND per day to explore hidden corners at your own pace. The city is flat and bike-friendly, especially in the early morning. Avoid main roads during peak hours and stick to residential streets.
π Best Evening Spots
For a laid-back evening, visit the rooftop of the Hai Phong Opera House, which is open to the public on weekends. Sip a local bia hoi from a street vendor nearby while enjoying the cool breeze. Alternatively, join locals at the night market on Tran Phu Street for cheap snacks and live music.
ποΈ Local Markets
Tam Bac Market is a hidden gem for fresh produce and handmade goods, far less touristy than the central market. You'll find local specialties like nem cua be (crab spring rolls) and dried squid. Bargaining is expected, so start at half the asking price.
ποΈ Cultural Surprises
The Haiphong Museum of the Revolution on Dien Bien Phu Street is often overlooked but houses fascinating exhibits on the city's history. Entry is free, and the staff are happy to share stories in broken English. The building itself is a beautiful example of French colonial architecture.
This is a solid list. I'd add that the Du Hang Pagoda is actually part of a larger complex with a small garden and a pond with turtles, so give yourself an extra 20 minutes to wander the grounds. For the banh da cua on Lach Tray, I prefer asking for extra chilli oil on the side, it's not on the menu but they always have it. The Tam Bac Lake sunset tip is spot on, but if you go on a weekend evening you'll also catch local kids flying kites from the eastern shore, which makes for a nice scene.
I've been to that banh da cua spot on Lach Tray maybe a dozen times and can confirm they make the best bowl on that side of town. A small thing the guide doesn't mention is that they also do a version with grilled pork chop on top for an extra 15k, just ask for banh da cua suon nuong. For the Cat Bi neighborhood walk, try going early on a Sunday morning when the street vendors set up along the old tram tracks near the intersection with Tran Quoc Toan, it's quiet and you'll see the real neighborhood rhythm before the heat sets in around 10.
the opera house rooftop tip is good but heads up, they sometimes close it for private events so check with the guard before hauling urself up there. if it's locked, the hong bang park benches across the street give u a similar vibe for free and u can hear the music from the night market anyway. also for the cat bi neighborhood walk, there's a little alley off nguyen duc canh street that leads to a tiny pho stall with no sign, the lady just serves pho bo until she runs out around 9am, bowl is 25k and the broth is super clear
Typical Souvenirs from Haiphong (2026)
Haiphong's coastal location makes dried squid, shrimp, and fish a beloved souvenir. Locals often buy these at the Cho Sat market (Sat Market) on Tran Phu Street, whereβ¦ π¦ Dried Seafood Specialties
Haiphong's coastal location makes dried squid, shrimp, and fish a beloved souvenir. Locals often buy these at the Cho Sat market (Sat Market) on Tran Phu Street, where vendors sell vacuum-packed packs starting at 100,000 VND. The tradition of drying seafood dates back centuries, as it was a way to preserve the catch for long sea voyages and inland trade.
π¬ Ga Gia Cake
Ga Gia cake is a chewy, sweet confection made from malt and ginger, a specialty of Haiphong's old quarter. You can find it at the family-run shop on 52 Dien Bien Phu Street, with boxes priced from 50,000 to 150,000 VND. This treat has been made for over a century, originally as a warming snack for dock workers during the cold winter months.
πΊ Ceramic Fish Sauce Jars
Small ceramic jars, often shaped like fish or decorated with coastal motifs, are a charming souvenir that reflects Haiphong's fishing heritage. Pick them up at the craft stalls in Cho Hang Duong (Hang Duong Market) on Tran Phu Street, where prices range from 30,000 to 80,000 VND. These jars echo the traditional earthenware used to store nuoc mam, the fermented fish sauce that is a cornerstone of Vietnamese cuisine.
𧡠Handwoven Lan Ha Textiles
From the nearby Cat Ba archipelago, handwoven cotton textiles in indigo and natural dyes are a meaningful buy. Look for them at the Cat Ba Market or at small cooperatives in the island's villages, with scarves and table runners costing 100,000 to 250,000 VND. Weaving is a centuries-old craft of the local fisherfolk, and each pattern tells a story of the sea and island life.
πΌοΈ Do Son Sea Paintings
Local artists often paint the iconic Do Son beach and its pine-covered hills, capturing Haiphong's seaside charm. You can buy original works at the Haiphong Fine Arts Gallery on 15 Le Hong Phong Street, with prints from 200,000 VND and originals from 1,000,000 VND. These paintings are a modern take on the landscape that has inspired poets and painters since the French colonial era.
π― Wild Honey from Cat Ba
Cat Ba National Park produces a distinct wild honey, harvested from the island's native flowers. You can purchase it at the park's visitor center or at local shops in Cat Ba town, with jars priced from 150,000 to 300,000 VND. This honey is prized for its medicinal properties and is a sweet reminder of the island's pristine nature.
πΏ Buddhist Prayer Beads
At the Du Hang Pagoda, one of Haiphong's oldest Buddhist sites, you can find wooden prayer beads carved from local fruit pits. The pagoda's souvenir stall sells them for 50,000 to 100,000 VND, with proceeds supporting the temple. These beads are a tangible piece of the city's spiritual life, blessed by monks and used for meditation.
π Where to Shop
For a one-stop souvenir run, head to Cho Sat (Sat Market) or the night market on Quang Trung Street, open from 5 PM to 10 PM. Bargaining is expected, so start at 70% of the asking price. For higher-end crafts, visit the Haiphong Museum gift shop, which supports local artisans.
solid list, the dried squid at Cho Sat is legit but honestly most locals grab it at the alley stalls off Tran Phu near the cathedral, cheaper and you can pick your own pieces. if you're getting ga gia cake, skip the fancy boxes and ask for the loose ones wrapped in paper, the family at 52 Dien Bien Phu will give u a taste first.
one thing missing: the little brass ship models sold near the port, around Cau Rao bridge. they're tiny but detailed, like 80k for a small one, and they actually look good on a shelf. also the honey from Cat Ba is way overpriced at the visitor center, buy it from the old lady selling fruit near the ferry dock in Cat Ba town, same stuff for half the price.
for the paintings, the gallery on Le Hong Phong is fine but i'd check the weekend art market at the opera house plaza instead, younger artists selling smaller pieces for like 150k, more fun to browse. bargaining at Cho Sat is expected but don't lowball too hard on seafood, they'll just laugh and walk away.
honestly the dried seafood list is pretty spot on but i'd add one thing locals actually bring back for family, the salted dried anchovies they sell loose at the morning market near the Cau Dat wharf, not the tourist spots. it's like 50k a kilo and way more flavorful than the packaged stuff, goes perfect with plain rice. my grandma always stocks up when she visits.
for the ga gia cake, the loose ones are the move but if u want something that actually survives the flight home, grab the ones with a bit more ginger, they keep better and taste less cloying after a day or two. also the night market on Quang Trung is good but it gets packed with tourists, if u want a chill vibe go on a weekday around 6 PM, the vendors are more patient and u can actually browse without elbowing anyone.
the ceramic fish sauce jars are cute but honestly most tourists miss the real deal, the big stone mortars and pestles they sell at hang duong market on the ground floor. my aunt uses one daily for her shrimp paste and it lasts forever, like 150k for a solid one. also if ur into the dried squid, skip the vacuum packs and ask for the grilled ones at the night market, they'll char it right there and u can eat it on the spot with some chili salt, way better than bringing it home tbh.
the prayer beads at du hang pagoda are a nice pick but i'd add that the pagoda itself is worth a wander, the gardens are quiet and the monks are used to foreigners asking questions. for the honey, yeah the visitor center rip-off is real, but if u happen to be on cat ba during the lychee season in june, some families sell lychee flower honey that's even more fragrant, ask around at the homestays near the national park entrance.