48 hours in Hai Phong

Hai Phong trip is suitable for tourists from Hanoi and surrounding areas to have a weekend break to change the atmosphere, eat and visit some famous places.

Traveling and relaxing in the center of Hai Phong can be a refreshing experience for your trip to the city of red phoenix flowers. Visitors can enjoy the services at the hotel, eat some typical delicious dishes, without the hustle and bustle. The 48-hour itinerary in Hai Phong is suggested through the experiences of VnExpress reporter, Ms. Ha Mai, a tourist from Hanoi and Mr. Tan Thanh, a local resident.

Day 1

Morning

Depart from Hanoi to Hai Phong on the CT04 highway, also known as QL5B. Travel time is about 1.5 hours in favorable traffic conditions. Arrive in Hai Phong, have breakfast with spicy fish noodle soup at around 9am. This dish combines ingredients from the countryside and the sea such as mackerel, grass carp, perch, fish cakes and crispy fried fish. Some addresses include: Spicy fish noodle soup Le Loi, Thang To, Van Cao. Note that these shops are quite crowded if visitors come during peak hours before 9am.

Coffee shop space No1986.

Drink coffee and take photos at one of the famous cafes with the most beautiful design in Hai Phong - No1986. This is a project that was published by the world's leading architectural magazine Archdaily. In addition to Vietnamese coffee, some mango drinks are highly appreciated by many diners.

Noon

Check in at Sheraton Hai Phong Hotel right in the city center. Room rates here range from 2.2 million VND per night. All rooms are fully equipped, meeting the maximum needs of relaxation and work. If visitors want a panoramic view of the city, choose floors from 29 to 43. Some other accommodation options are located on routes such as Lach Tray, Bach Dang, Le Loi, Hung Vuong or To Hieu.

Deluxe Room of Sheraton Hai Phong.

Swimming pool at Sheraton Hai Phong.

Harbor Restaurant.

Because of the late breakfast, after resting at the hotel, the most suitable late lunch is a food tour at Cat Bi market, which is considered the largest "snack mecca" in the port city. The market is located near the airport, only opens from 3pm, so visitors need to calculate the time of arrival appropriately.

"If you come to Hai Phong without stopping by Cat Bi market and eating everything here, it would be a mistake," said Mr. Thanh. The market is located on Ly Hong Nhat Street, Hai An District, about 10 km from the city center. The food court is spacious and airy with a variety of dishes such as banh beo, bean sprouts, grilled cartilage sausage, sweet soup, snails, beef skin with rice flour, coconut jelly, and sui din. With about 100,000 VND, you can eat your fill here.

Afternoon

To Thien Van hill area, 12km from Cat Bi market, in the center of Kien An district. Visitors can drive themselves, take a taxi, motorbike taxi, cycle or go for a relaxing walk. This place is considered a "miniature Da Lat" thanks to its fresh, quiet air and rich vegetation. This is also a beautiful place to take sunset photos.

The road up to Thien Van hill. Photo: Le Tan

On top of Thien Van hill, you can see part of Hai Phong city. Photo: Le Tan

Here you can camp, sightsee, and organize BBQ parties. The road up to Thien Van hill. Photo: Le Tan.

Return to the hotel in the evening, have a light dinner at the Harbor restaurant area with Asian-European cuisine or Yi Ling Ling - Cantonese style restaurant, after having a food tour with many typical Hai Phong dishes.

Day 2

Morning

Wake up and swim in the warm water pool on the 5th floor of the Sheraton Hai Phong Hotel, which has large glass windows overlooking the Vinhomes Imperia complex. On the same floor, there is also a gym and other health facilities for guests to exercise in the morning. The surrounding area has wide and deserted roads, suitable for running or walking.

Have breakfast at the hotel or at some crab noodle shops in small alleys in the center of Hai Phong. Many tourists and some residents in the city recommend choosing less famous crab noodle shops to experience the most typical flavor. Some streets with many crab noodle shops are Le Loi, Pham Ngu Lao, Lach Tray.

Hai Phong Railway Station. Photo: Tan Thanh

Stroll around the city center with the destination being the ancient French architectural works. Hai Phong has many beautiful works such as the train station, the opera house, the museum, the city post office, Tam Bac lake. If you come here on the weekend (usually Saturday), you should try the free walking tour to learn about the history, culture, architectural works, and people of Hai Phong. Note that you need to contact and register in advance.

"I was really surprised by the French architecture in Hai Phong, beautiful and ancient," said Ms. Mai.

Noon

Lunch at Bun Cha Phuong Mai on Cat Cut Street in Hai Phong. This is one of the "must try" places, especially for tourists from other places, with the most typical dish being square spring rolls with crab and shrimp (also known as spring rolls). There are also squid rolls and grilled rolls.

"Just eating a spring roll with noodles and vegetables is enough to fill you up. A spring roll costs 100,000 VND, which is considered expensive, but it is worth the money, the filling is full, delicious and very flavorful," said Ms. Mai. This place is often quite crowded on weekends, so if you go in a large group, you should make a reservation in advance.

Afternoon

Going to Hang Market - which is only held on Sundays every week, is a special feature of the city. This is a rare remaining market in Hai Phong. Located right in the center of Le Chan district, the market still has the appearance of a rural market. For the people here, the market is not only a place for trading but also a place for community cultural activities.

At Hang Market, visitors can find varieties of plants, farming tools, livestock, poultry and familiar items found only in the countryside such as plows, rattan baskets, and bamboo beds.

Ba Gia's baguette. Photo: Ha Mai

Before returning to Hanoi, visitors should buy baguettes as gifts. Some famous baguette shops in Hai Phong are Ba Gia, Ong Cuong, Khanh Nap, 195 Le Loi. Each baguette costs from 5,000 VND to 7,000 VND. Please note that you need to order in advance if you buy in large quantities.

Alternatives

Hai Phong also has many other experiences such as Do Son, Du Hang Pagoda, Tuyet Tinh Coc (Thuy Nguyen district).

Vnexpress

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