Quick Facts: Port of Hai Phong | Vietnam | Hai Phong International Cruise Terminal (Chua Ve Port) | Docked | ~5 km to Hai Phong city center; Hanoi ~100 km west | UTC+7
Hai Phong is Vietnam’s third-largest city and the cruise gateway to both the northern delta region and Hanoi — making it one of the most strategically valuable ports in Southeast Asia. The single most important planning tip: if Hanoi is your goal, book your transfer in advance, because the 2-hour road journey each way eats into your time fast.
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Port & Terminal Information
The Hai Phong International Cruise Terminal at Chua Ve Port handles all major cruise calls. It’s a working commercial port, so expect industrial surroundings rather than a polished tourist hub. Check the terminal location on Google Maps before you go — it’s positioned along the Cam River, south of the city center.
- Docking: Ships dock directly — no tender required, so disembarkation is quick
- Terminal facilities: Basic tourist information desk, a handful of souvenir stalls, currency exchange kiosk (rates are poor — exchange in town), limited Wi-Fi in the terminal building, no reliable ATMs inside so bring cash or withdraw in the city
- Luggage storage: Not available at the terminal — plan your day bag accordingly
- Distance to city center: ~5 km; Hanoi is approximately 100 km west via Highway 5 or the expressway
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Getting to the City
- On Foot — Not practical. The port sits in an industrial zone; the nearest worthwhile street food and café strip is 5+ km away
- Bus — City bus Route 52 connects the port area to Hai Phong’s central Tam Bac zone; fare is approximately 7,000–9,000 VND (~$0.30). Frequency is every 20–30 minutes, journey ~25 minutes. Useful but signage is in Vietnamese only
- Taxi — The most practical option. Grab (Southeast Asia’s Uber) is reliable, safe, and metered via app — port to city center runs roughly 80,000–120,000 VND ($3–5). Avoid unmarked taxis flagging you at the gate; use the Grab app or ask terminal staff to call a Mai Linh or Vinasun cab
- Hop-On Hop-Off — No HOHO service currently operates in Hai Phong
- Scooter Rental — Available in central Hai Phong (around 150,000–200,000 VND/day) but not recommended for first-timers; traffic is dense and roads unmarked
- Ship Shore Excursion — Worth it only for Hanoi day trips if you’re uncomfortable coordinating your own transport. For Hai Phong city itself, go independently and save significantly
- Private Transfer to Hanoi — The smartest option for Hanoi-bound cruisers. A private transfer from Hai Phong to Hanoi on Viator 🎟 Book: Private transfers From Hanoi to Hai Phong or Hai Phong to Hanoi runs from USD 75 for the ~2-hour journey each way, door to door
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Top Things to Do in Hai Phong & Hanoi
You have 2 brilliant cities within reach — use the sub-headings below to match your ambition to your time ashore.
Must-See
1. Hai Phong Opera House (free to view exterior; tours when available ~50,000 VND) — Built by the French in 1904, this mustard-yellow colonial gem anchors the city’s most photogenic square. Best visited early morning when the light is clean. 30 minutes.
2. Du Hang Pagoda (free) — The oldest and most atmospheric pagoda in Hai Phong, dating to the 17th century and set in a serene courtyard garden. A peaceful counterpoint to the city’s port energy. 45 minutes.
3. Hai Phong Museum (~20,000 VND) — Three floors covering the city’s role in Vietnamese history, including the French colonial era and the American War. Compact and genuinely interesting. 1 hour.
4. Hoam Kiem Lake & Old Quarter, Hanoi (free) — The emotional heart of Hanoi: a jade-green lake surrounded by temples, bonsai traders, and morning tai chi. The 36-street Old Quarter behind it is best explored on foot. Book a Private Walking Tour of Hanoi 🎟 Book: Private Walking Tour of Hanoi City from USD 5 for a guide who knows which alley sells the best bun cha. 2–3 hours.
5. Hoan Kiem Lake Temple of the Jade Mountain (Ngoc Son) (~30,000 VND) — A 19th-century temple on a tiny island, reached by a red-lacquered bridge. One of Hanoi’s most photographed sights. 30 minutes.
Beaches & Nature
6. Do Son Beach (~25 km from Hai Phong port) — A crescent bay popular with Vietnamese day-trippers; the water is murky but the seafood shacks along the promenade are worth the trip. Accessible by taxi (~200,000 VND one way). 2 hours.
7. Cat Ba Island (ferry from Hai Phong’s Binh pier, ~200,000 VND return) — The southern anchor of Ha Long Bay, with limestone karsts, jungle trekking, and kayaking. Only realistic on a full-day call. 4–5 hours minimum on island.
Day Trips
8. Full-Day Hanoi City Tour — Covers Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, West Lake, and the Old Quarter in one sweep. Book a Full-Day Hanoi City Tour on Viator 🎟 Book: Full-Day Hanoi City Tour from USD 65 including transport. 8–9 hours total.
9. Hanoi Water Puppet Show (~100,000–200,000 VND for tickets) — A 1,000-year-old northern Vietnamese art form performed on water with live traditional music. The Thang Long Theatre near Hoan Kiem runs shows multiple times daily. 1 hour.
Family Picks
10. Hai Phong Night Market / Tam Bac Food Street (free entry) — Hai Phong’s liveliest evening strip for street food, fresh juices, and local snacks; manageable with kids and no agenda required. 1–2 hours.
11. Vietnam Maritime Museum (~30,000 VND) — Ship models, naval history, and outdoor displays including a real submarine. Kids who like anything nautical will love it. 1 hour.
Off the Beaten Track
12. Hai Phong Historical & Food Tour — This is the one for curious, unhurried cruisers: a 13-hour deep dive into colonial architecture, local markets, and dishes you won’t find on tourist menus. Book the Hai Phong City Historical and Food Tour on Viator 🎟 Book: Hai Phong City Historical and Food Tour from USD 99. Full day.
13. Hang Kenh Communal House (free) — A 300-year-old community hall with extraordinary carved wooden dragons — a genuine local treasure most cruisers walk straight past. 30 minutes.
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What to Eat & Drink
Hai Phong has its own culinary identity separate from Hanoi — locals are fiercely proud of it. The city’s signature dishes are bolder, saltier, and more street-level than anything you’ll find in tourist restaurants.
- Banh Mi Cay (Spicy Hai Phong Baguette) — Crunchier and more aggressively seasoned than Saigon-style; grab one from any street cart near the Opera House; ~15,000–20,000 VND
- Banh Da Cua (Red Crab Noodle Soup) — The city’s most famous dish: thick red rice noodles in a rich crab broth; look for simple plastic-stool shops near Tam Bac market; ~50,000–70,000 VND
- Nem Cua Be (Crab Spring Rolls) — Deep-fried and served with fermented dipping sauce; a Hai Phong street classic; ~30,000–50,000 VND
- Bun Cha, Hanoi — If you make it to Hanoi, eat this: grilled pork patties in a light fish-sauce broth with rice noodles and herbs; any Old Quarter lunch spot; ~60,000–80,000 VND
- Bia Hoi (Draft Beer) — Vietnam’s ultra-cheap fresh-brewed street beer; ~5,000–10,000 VND per glass on any pavement corner
- Banh Cuon (Steamed Rice Rolls) — Delicate rice sheets filled with wood-ear mushroom and minced pork, best at a Hai Phong breakfast spot before 9am; ~30,000–40,000 VND
- Ca Phe Trung (Egg Coffee), Hanoi — A Hanoi invention: strong robusta espresso topped with a whipped egg-yolk foam; try Café Giang near Hoan Kiem; ~35,000–50,000 VND
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Shopping
Hai Phong’s best shopping is concentrated around Cho Sat Market (Iron Market) and the streets immediately north of the Opera House. Look for embroidered linens, lacquerware, hand-painted ceramics, and dried seafood — the city’s proximity to the Gulf of Tonkin means you’ll find dried squid and shrimp paste that locals pack as gifts. Prices are honest by Vietnamese standards, though light bargaining (10–15%) is expected everywhere except fixed-price shops.
Skip the port-area souvenir stalls (overpriced, generic) and anything labelled
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
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