Hai Phong

Haiphong International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Hai Phong


Hai Phong, also written Haiphong (Vietnamese: Hải Phòng ), is the third largest city in Vietnam after Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. It is located at the estuary of the Cam River, on the northeastern coast of Vietnam. The city is about 120 km from Hanoi. Hai Phong covers 1,507.57 sq km (582.1 sq mi) and has a population of 1.9 million people (2011 estimate). The city has a relatively high population growth rate, of about 4%.

Hai Phong is today one of the main ports for Vietnam. It traces its history to its founding by one Madame Le Chan, one of the female generals of ancient Vietnam, in AD 43. The geographical location of Hai Phone along the coast made it a frequent target of foreign invaders.

Statue of Madame Le Chan, Hai Phong


Hai Phong was invaded by the French, who then turned it into a major naval base. During the Second World War, it suffered heavy fighting between French and and nationalist forces. It suffered another round of bombing during the First Indochina War (1946-1954), and again during the Vietnam War (1955-1975), when it was bombarded by the US.

Today Hai Phong has very much shaken off the remnants of its war years, to reemerge as a thriving industrial city. Another the industries located here include oil refining, manufacturing and coal. Although it is not yet within the international tourism radar, the city is developing itself as a local tourist destination. It is becoming also the choice venue for exhibitions, with the completion of the Haiphong International Trade & Exhibition Centre on 12 May, 2004. The centre along Pham Van Dong Street is the largest in Vietnam.

Hai Phong Station, Vietnam

Visiting Hai Phong

The most practical way for visitors to Vietnam to visit Hai Phong is to take a train from the Long Bien Railway Station in Hanoi. The fare is 50,000 VND. Alternatively you can catch a long-distance bus from the Gia Lam Bus Terminal in Hanoi to the Niem Nghia Bus Station or Cau Rao Bus Station, in the outskirts of Hai Phone, for 45,000 VND.

You can now fly directly to Hai Phone from Ho Chi Minh City on Jetstar Pacific Airlines, and from both Ho Chi Minh City and Danang on Vietnam Airlines.

Du Hang Pagoda, Hai Phong

Places of Interest in Hai Phong

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