Haiphong Travel Guide

An industrious port with a strong seafood culture, Haiphong offers coastal energy and easy access to Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay. Sample the city’s signature bánh đa cua (crab noodle soup) at bustling street stalls and wander past French colonial landmarks like the Opera House and old railway quarters. Do Son’s beaches and local fishing markets reveal everyday maritime life, while compact neighborhoods invite atmospheric evening walks and a lively café scene.

Haiphong’s food scene is built around the sea: crab-forward dishes and sharply seasoned fish soups rule the streets. The city’s signature, bánh đa cua, pops up in steaming bowls along Lạch Tray and around the markets; another must-try is nem cua bể, the deep-fried sea-crab spring roll that locals will argue is best eaten with a squeeze of lime and thin rice noodles. Bún cá (fish vermicelli) is another local staple - lighter but full of umami.

Markets and riverside neighborhoods are where the city eats: Chợ Sắt and the Cát Bi area are full of stalls serving breakfast to late-night crowds, while Tam Bạc’s riverfront hosts family-style seafood restaurants. If you’re coming from Hanoi, expect simpler, saltier flavors and an emphasis on fresh shellfish - and don’t be shy about hopping from stall to stall to try slightly different spins on the same classics.

Haiphong is a working port with a pragmatic shopping culture: the market stalls and seafood shops are the heart of the city while a handful of modern malls handle brand-name and grocery shopping. The city is best known for its seafood-both fresh and dried-and for lively local markets where you can buy everything from kitchen staples to inexpensive clothing. Expect straightforward vendors who move quickly; this is not a place for leisurely window-shopping but for efficient purchases and good value.

Bargaining is normal at wet markets and independent stalls-start about 30-50% below the asking price, keep negotiations friendly, and be ready to walk away. Always carry small notes and coins, check scales and weights when buying produce or seafood, and inspect dried products for freshness and proper packaging before you buy. If you prefer fixed pricing and air-conditioning, head to AEON Mall or the city’s larger supermarkets; avoid haggling there. Practical tip: visit markets early in the morning for the best seafood, bring a reusable bag and a cooler if you plan to transport perishable goods, and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas.

Haiphong is an industrial port city where long-term living options include renting furnished apartments, working under an employer-sponsored permit, or obtaining longer-stay business/temporary residence documentation. Short stays use Vietnam e-visa (single-entry, up to 30 days, fee US$25) or visa-on-arrival with a pre-approval letter; for multi-month to multi-year residence you’ll typically need a business (DN) visa, a work permit issued by a Vietnamese employer, or a temporary residence card tied to employment, investment, or family ties.

Accommodation is affordable: central studios and one-bedrooms commonly rent for about $200-400 (≈4.5-9 million VND) per month; two-bedrooms go higher. Expect to pay a 1-2 month deposit and sign 6-12 month leases for best rates. Healthcare options include public hospitals like Viet Tiep and private international clinics such as Vinmec Hai Phong; for specialized care many expats travel to Hanoi. Basic monthly living costs (rent, utilities, groceries) for a modest single-person lifestyle typically fall in the $400-700 range depending on comfort level.

Haiphong works for nomads who prefer lower costs and quieter port-city life while still having decent internet and café culture. Dedicated coworking facilities are fewer than in Vietnam’s largest cities, so remote workers commonly use chain cafés, mall cafés or hotel business centers. Typical fiber plans in the city offer 50-150 Mbps at roughly 200k-400k VND per month, and mobile 4G/4G+ from Viettel, VNPT or Mobifone is a reliable fallback.

Expect daily work setups in cafés (coffee ~25k-50k VND) or short-term hotel stays; day passes at formal coworking spaces (when available) usually cost around $3-7, with monthly memberships in Vietnam commonly ranging $50-100 where offered.