Vietnam

How to get from Ha Long to Hai Phong

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and tips from a local expert.

FASTEST
0h 40min
💶
From
3€
📍
Distance
43 km
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There are 2 way(s) to get from Ha Long to Hai Phong

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

🚌 Departure from Ha Long
📍For the Hạ Long to Hải Phòng journey, the main departure point is Bãi Cháy Bus Station in Hạ Long. Located on the main road, it serves as the hub for long-distance buses. It's a relatively modern terminal, featuring information counters and waiting areas for passengers.
🚇From the city center of Bãi Cháy or Tuan Chau, you can take a taxi or a 'xe ôm' (motorcycle taxi). The journey typically takes about 10-20 minutes, depending on your exact starting point, and costs between 50,000 and 100,000 VND. Local buses are also available, but less convenient with luggage.
Buses to Hải Phòng generally depart every 30 to 60 minutes. The first departures are around 5:00-6:00 AM, and the last ones around 6:00-7:00 PM, but it's advisable to check schedules locally.
💸 Transport from 3€ per person
Fastest: 0h 40min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

🛣️ The journey experience

Traveling from Hạ Long to Hải Phòng is a quick and efficient transition between two key points in northern Vietnam. For seeking clarity and reliability, rest assured that the journey is simple and won't take up an entire day. The primary option is the bus, an economical and fast solution connecting the two cities in about 1 hour for just 3€. You'll typically board at Bãi Cháy bus station in Hạ Long, or a central pick-up point if you choose a tourist mini-bus.

Buses are modern, air-conditioned, and offer a perfectly acceptable level of comfort for this short distance. The landscapes pass quickly, giving you a glimpse of local life without major interruptions. Less common for this route but also possible, the ferry (approximately 2 hours for 10€) offers a different perspective, more focused on coastal navigation if you're not in a hurry. There are no night buses for this short connection, so no stress about saving a hotel night.

Booking online through reliable platforms like 12go. asia or directly with reputable companies like Hoang Long or Phuc Xuyen is the safest way to avoid scams and secure your seat, allowing you to depart with peace of mind.

Frequently asked questions — Ha Long → Hai Phong

✨ Why visit Hai Phong?

  • Explore the French colonial architecture in the city center and its ancient temples.
  • Discover Cat Ba, the largest island in Halong Bay, with its beaches and national park.
  • Visit the Hai Phong Opera House, an architectural masterpiece from the early 20th century.
  • Taste local cuisine, including "Banh Da Cua" (red crab noodles) and fresh seafood.
  • Take a boat trip to Lan Ha Bay, less crowded than Halong Bay.
🌙
Recommended stay
2 to 3 nights — to explore the city, Cat Ba, and enjoy bay cruises.

☀️ When to visit Hai Phong?

TROPICAL HUMID CLIMATE

April to October — enjoy warm and sunny weather, perfect for water activities and exploration.

Jan 😐
Feb 😐
Mar 😊
Apr 😊
May 😊
Jun 😐
Jul 😐
Aug 😐
Sep 😐
Oct 😊
Nov 😊
Dec 😐
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In Hai Phong — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Hai Phong
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Hai Phong?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

INCONTOURNABLE
🏛️
Colonial centre — French architecture
Hai Phong preserves one of Vietnam's best-kept colonial cores: neo-gothic city hall, pink opera house, wide boulevards lined with century-old trees. A free 2-hour walk through the central district, best early morning before the heat.
UNIQUE
⛴️
Ferry to Cat Ba Island
Hai Phong port is the least touristy starting point for Cat Ba. Several ferries daily (about 45 min to 1h30 depending on boat, 50,000–150,000 VND). A better departure than Ha Long to dodge crowds and save on accommodation.
🦀
Seafood at Đổng Quốc Bình market
Port city = ultra-fresh seafood at unbeatable prices. Crabs, shrimp, cockles and fish balls cooked on the spot in the lanes around the market. Before 9am is best for shopping; evenings for eating on site for under €5.
🏖️
Do Son Beach
A seaside resort popular with northern Vietnamese, 21 km from the city centre (30 min by taxi, ~150,000 VND). Dark sand beach with cliffs, casino and genuine local atmosphere. Avoid July–August weekends — very crowded.
🎭
Hai Phong Opera House
An architectural replica of Paris's Palais Garnier, built in 1904 and listed as a national monument. Traditional dance and classical music shows are regularly programmed (50,000–200,000 VND). The illuminated exterior in the evening is worth a detour.
⛩️
Du Hang Pagoda
Hai Phong's oldest pagoda, founded in the 17th century, dedicated to a legendary heroine. Traditional architecture preserved in a bonsai garden. Free, quiet on weekdays, crowded on Buddhist festival days (1st and 15th of the lunar month).
🌊
Cat Hai and Bach Long Vi islands
Cat Hai (reachable in 15 min by ferry, ~20,000 VND) is a quiet island with beaches and fishing villages. Bach Long Vi, 110 km offshore, is for adventure seekers (permit required, 1 boat/week). Pristine coral reefs.
🍜
Banh da cua — local crab noodle soup
Hai Phong's culinary speciality: red rice noodle soup with paddy crab, shrimp, pork patties and tomatoes. Impossible to find elsewhere in this authentic form. Best spots are in the lanes of Le Chan district, under €2 per bowl.

⏱️ How long to visit Hai Phong?

2 to 4 days

For an independent traveler, 2 to 3 days are ideal for exploring Hải Phòng. You'll have time to visit the historic city center, savor local cuisine, and take a trip to Cat Ba Island or Ha Long Bay, for which Hải Phòng is a less crowded gateway. Do not stay more than 4 days, unless you plan specific activities outside the city.

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