The city of Haiphong (Vietnam) is considered the third largest and most populous Vietnamese city-it is ahead of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. According to statistics, 2,029,000 people lived in Haiphong in 2019, and most of them are Vietnamese, although there are also Chinese and Koreans.
Located in the northern part of Vietnam, Haiphong is a significant center of economic, cultural, scientific, educational, commercial and industrial development. Shipbuilding, steel pipes, plastic pipes, and textiles are among the industries with the fastest growth. This city is a transport hub where highways, waterways, and railways converge. Haiphong Port is the main sea transport hub of the northern region of the state.
Haiphong Port System
Haiphong is located on the banks of the Kam River, and for many centuries it remained the most important waterway through which goods were transported to the northern part of the country. The port and several commercial and industrial enterprises determine the economy of the modern city.
Haiphong and Ho Chi Minh City are two of the largest port systems in Vietnam.
Haiphong is a complex association of state-level ports of importance. It has a strategic position, as it is located at the point of passage of sea routes that connect the northern part of Vietnam with the whole world. The French colonists who rebuilt Haiphong in the XIX – XX centuries made it not just a trading city, but a famous Pacific port. The port of Haiphong (Vietnam) at the very beginning of the twentieth century had strong connections with many major ports in Asia, North America, the North European seas, the coasts of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, as well as with the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
In Haiphong, there is not only a seaport-there are also marinas for various purposes (a total of 35 pieces). Among them are shipyards, berths for receiving and transporting liquefied products (gasoline, oil), as well as the river ports of Sosau and Vatkat for vessels with a small displacement of 1-2 tons.
The most interesting sights of Haiphong
Haiphong is not the most interesting city from the point of view of a standard tourist, but it has potential. It will be interesting for travelers who want to see the life of local residents, study the mentality and culture of the people. Haiphong today resembles Hanoi 10-15 years ago. There are a huge number of cyclists and motorcyclists here, and houses with typical colonial architecture are located on the three-line boulevards. In many ways, it is thanks to the architectural forms that this city has managed to preserve a slight touch of antiquity. A walk through the old part of the city and feel its atmosphere is just a must!
Haiphong is also notable for the fact that it is a convenient point to start a trip to many sea resorts that are particularly popular: Halong Bay, Cat Ba Island, Baitulong Bay. You can stay in this city for a few days before starting to explore North Vietnam – fortunately, a large number of different routes (buses, boats, trains) make traveling from this locality economical and easy.
Haiphong’s most famous attractions include the Opera House, Du Hang Pagoda, Nghe Temple, Cat Ba Island Nature Park, and Hang Kenh Commune.
Cat Ba National Park
Cat Ba Park, located at a distance of 50 km from Haiphong, is the largest and most frequently visited island in Lan Ha and Halong Bays. This Vietnamese national park has been recognized by UNESCO as a “World Biosphere Reserve”.
They go to Cat Ba for the sake of beaches and green forests, which are home to 15 species of the rarest mammals. The park is located on the main migration route of many waterfowl, so they often build their nests among the mangroves and on the beaches of Cat Ba.
There are 2 caves in Cat Ba Park that tourists are allowed to explore. The first of them has preserved its natural appearance, and the second has a historical past – during the American War, it housed a secret hospital.
You can visit Cat Ba Island all year round. From December to March, when the weather conditions are cooler, there are very few tourists here. It is during this period that the park becomes an ideal holiday destination for those travelers who want to enjoy the peace and beauty of the wild nature. As for the time from April to August, the park is crowded with tourists from Vietnam – the local population has just the period of holidays and school holidays.
For more detailed information about Cat Ba Island and the entire Halong Bay, see a separate article.
Du Hang Buddhist Pagoda
Just 2 km from the center of Haiphong, there is a Buddhist temple complex-Du Hang Pagoda is located on its territory. It is one of the oldest in Vietnam, as it was built by representatives of the Ly dynasty, who ruled from 980 to 1009. Although the structure has been remodeled several times since its foundation, it remains a magnificent example of traditional Vietnamese temple architecture. The pagoda is three-tiered, each tier has a roof made of tiles, which has curved edges.
In Du Hang, the most important Buddhist value is kept – the collection of prayers “Trang A Ham”.
Not far from the pagoda there are other attractions: a bell tower, various statues of mythical creatures, a sculpture of the Buddha. There is also a beautiful garden with a huge collection of potted dwarf trees, and a small pond with fish and turtles. The attraction is open to the public all year round. By the way, among the collections of photos of Haiphong, pictures of this particular historical site usually look the most attractive and original.
Address of the attraction: 121 du Hang Street Le Chan District, Haiphong 35000 Vietnam.
Opera House and Theater Square
In the central part of Haiphong, on the Theater Square, there is a unique building that has several names: Municipal, Opera, and Bolshoi Theater.
Previously, this place was reserved for a market, but the colonial French authorities removed it and built a theater in 1904-1912. Absolutely all the materials for the construction were imported from France.
The architecture of the theater is designed in the neoclassical style, and the design is an exact copy of the design of the Palais Garnier, located in Paris. The hall of the building is designed for 400 people.
Initially, only French people visited the theater, but after they left Vietnam, everything changed. The repertoire became wider: in addition to classical opera, it included the national opera, musical performances, and performances. It also hosts concerts featuring classical and pop music from Vietnam.
All major holidays in Haiphong (Vietnam) are organized by local authorities on the Theater Square, next to the Municipal Theater.
Interesting facts
- Haiphong, also known as “Red Flame City”: it was previously planted with Phoenix trees, whose flowers have a fiery color.
- Despite its status as a city, about one-third of Haiphong’s land area is used for agriculture. Rice is the most important crop, occupying about 80% of agricultural land.
- Catby International Airport (HPH) is 8 km from the city, but it serves mainly domestic flights.