Haiphong
A northern Vietnam port known for crab noodle soup, flame tree streets and the Cát Bà islands.
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Haiphong is a port city on the Gulf of Tonkin in northern Vietnam, at the mouth of the Cấm River. It is one of the country's nine centrally governed cities and was the first in Vietnam and mainland Southeast Asia to be electrified. It is nicknamed the Port City and the City of Red Flame Trees, after the phượng trees along many of its streets.
The trip suits travelers who want food and old streets more than beach time. The central districts of Hồng Bàng, Ngô Quyền and Lê Chân hold French-era offices, villas, theatres, schools and banks. Old shophouses on Tam Bạc street show Vietnamese, Chinese and French influences. Local dishes include crab noodle soup, bánh mì cay and bún cá, and seafood from Đồ Sơn and Cát Bà is a draw too. The coolest months are January and February, and most rain falls from April to October. Plan a day or two for the city, and longer if you add Cát Bà Island.
Haiphong in five
- Eat the local noodle soupsThe tourism board names banh da cua, the chewy crab noodle soup, alongside spicy pate bread, spicy fish vermicelli, coconut sweet soup and coconut coffee. Make the food the reason for a night here.
- Take the train from HanoiThe tourism board describes a 102 km rail line that takes about 3 hours, with air-conditioned soft seats. That article dates from 2023, so check the current timetable before you plan around it.
- Plan the onward trip to Cat BaHaiphong is the mainland gateway to the Cat Ba archipelago, which has almost 400 islands. Confirm boat and bus connections with your hotel, and book the island stay first.Things to do in Cat Ba
- Add a beach at Do SonThe Hanoi to Haiphong rail line draws travelers for food tours and for beaches at Do Son, Cat Ba, Cat Co and Tung Thu, according to the tourism board.
- Landing on an e-visa? Check the gateCat Bi airport and Hai Phong port are both on the official list of gates for e-visa holders. Confirm your entry point before you book.Vietnam e-visa and exemption
Need to know
- Airport
- Cat Bi (HPH), a designated e-visa air gate
- Getting there
- Hanoi rail line, 102 km, about 3 hours; road and flights
- Getting around
- Taxi, Grab or motorbike
- Best base
- Central Haiphong, near the food streets
- Time needed
- 1 night, or a food stop before Cat Ba
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCloudy9 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Cool, drizzleJanuaryCloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, drizzle
- FebruaryCloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Damp, coolFebruaryCloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Damp, cool
- MarchCloudy10 rainy daysHigh25°Low19°MildMarchCloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°WarmAprilRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- MayRain19 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hot, beachesMayRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 215 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, beaches
- JuneRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low27°Hot, humidJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 245 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, humid
- JulyRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low27°Rain, stormsJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 341 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rain, storms
- AugustRain26 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low26°Storm riskAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 520 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Storm risk
- SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Storm riskSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 381 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm risk
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Clear, mildOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 190 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, mild
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Dry, coolNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool
- DecemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Cool, dryDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
Average daily high and low in Haiphong, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Haiphong
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 94%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 63%
Haiphong
06:24 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°24°63%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Wed31°24°91%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 91%.
- Thu31°25°88%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Fri30°23°87%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Sat29°23°71%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Sun31°21°84%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Mon26°18°77%Monday: Rain. High 26°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 77%.
Updated 05:29 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 25,787 VND
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- Apr–MayGiong FestivalHanoi, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Cat Ba Islanda boat and road transferVietnam's largest limestone archipelago, with a national park and Lan Ha Bay.Read the guide
- Ha Long Bayby road along the coastThe karst seascape that most cruises sail through.Read the guide
- Do Son beacha short road tripA beach town on the Haiphong coast, named by the tourism board with Cat Co and Tung Thu.
Before you go to Haiphong
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Haiphong, checked
- E-visa holders must enter and exit through designated border gates, and the official list includes Cat Bi airport and Hai Phong port.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Haiphong
Hub for the island and its national park
Read the guideThings to do in Cat BaPark, caves, Lan Ha Bay and beaches
Read the guideHa Long BayCruises and the karst seascape
Read the guideHalong CityThe cruise port city on the Quang Ninh coast
Read the guideHanoiThe usual starting point for the train
Read the guideBest time to visit VietnamNorth, center and south by month
Read the guideAll of VietnamEntry, seasons, regions and money
Read the guideHaiphong FAQ
Is Haiphong worth visiting?
Yes, if food is a reason to travel. It is not a city of big sights, so treat it as a night of noodles, coffee and port streets, or a stop before Cat Ba.
How do you get from Hanoi to Haiphong?
The tourism board describes a 102 km rail line with a journey of about 3 hours, and buses and cars also make the trip. Check current train times and prices before you go.
What should you eat in Haiphong?
Banh da cua, a crab noodle soup with chewy noodles and rich broth, plus spicy pate bread, spicy fish vermicelli, coconut sweet soup and coconut coffee.
How do you get from Haiphong to Cat Ba?
Haiphong is the mainland gateway to the Cat Ba archipelago, with road and boat links. Confirm the current ferry operators and times with your hotel, and arrive early if you have a connection.
Is Haiphong or Halong City better for Ha Long Bay?
Halong City is closer to the main Ha Long Bay piers, while Haiphong suits Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay. The tourism board says independent travelers can take a bus to either, then a taxi to the port.