Haiphong combines striking seascapes with archaeological sites and cultural traditions. A geographical anchor is the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago area: it lies within Hai Phong city and Quảng Ninh Province. The destination thus leads from the history of Hai Phong into a vast island and coastal region.
Islands, limestone and sea
The UNESCO World Heritage area covers 65,650 hectares and includes 1,133 islands and islets. Its seascape consists of vegetated limestone islands and tall limestone pillars rising from the sea in a variety of sizes and shapes. This combination of vegetated islands and striking rock formations is what defines the character of the area.
The Cát Bà Archipelago was designated a national park in 1986 and a marine protected area in 2010. Cát Bà Island is also the only place where the golden-headed langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus) is found. Those interested in nature and conservation will encounter a landscape whose uniqueness is evident not only in its rocks but also in an animal species found nowhere else in the world.
One of the visitor routes in the national park is the 12-kilometre Ao Ếch–Việt Hải route. As trail conditions can change seasonally, it is best to check them before planning your visit. The Đồng Bài–Cái Viềng ferry terminal is a transport facility in the Cát Bà tourist area; if you plan to use it, check the schedule in advance.
Archaeology and history
Núi Voi–Xuân Sơn is an archaeological site. Tools and weapons found there, now on display at the Núi Voi Museum, provide evidence of a developmental phase of the Đông Sơn culture. These finds establish a tangible link between the site and its cultural history. Facilities have been developed in the Núi Voi area for visitors and those interested in research, including Họng Voi Cave, the Nam Tào and Bắc Đẩu caves, and a museum. The facilities are maintained; check their condition before your visit.
The traditional Núi Voi festival features cultural and sporting activities. It takes place every year in the middle of the first lunar month and lasts three days: the 15th, 16th and 17th of the month. Hang Quân Y offers a different historical perspective on the Cát Bà Archipelago. It was converted into a field hospital inside the mountain between 1963 and 1965 during the Vietnam War and is a tourist destination on trips to explore the archipelago.
The Hai Phong Museum also focuses on the city’s history: its 17 permanent exhibition rooms introduce the public to the nature and historical, cultural and social development of Hai Phong. It offers an additional way to explore the destination alongside the archaeological sites and historic places.
Temples, coastal landscapes and traditions
On Hòn Dấu, an almost untouched natural landscape of old trees and rocky shores retains its distinctive character. The island is also home to the Temple of Nam Hải Thần Vương, which preserves the religious traditions of coastal communities, and the Hòn Dấu lighthouse. The lighthouse is associated with the history of resistance to foreign invasions during the Vietnam War. The island thus connects nature, religious heritage and wartime history with specific places.
At Đền Nghè, the incense ceremony and water procession take place as part of the annual Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival. The festival is recognized as national intangible cultural heritage. Gắm Temple is also part of Hai Phong’s cultural heritage: it was classified as a national historical-cultural monument in 1992.
Experiences in Lan Hạ Bay and local cuisine
Visitors to Lan Hạ Bay can swim and observe corals, go boating and climb. Specific activities may vary by provider for boat trips and climbing experiences; check the details in advance. This makes it easier to factor the bay’s range of activities into your own travel plans without tying them to a fixed itinerary.
Local cuisine offers another way to experience Haiphong. In May 2026, food tour options were described that let visitors try dishes such as bánh đa cua, bún cá and nem cua bể, as well as seafood. These dishes offer concrete suggestions if you are interested in regional cuisine.
Discover more destinations: Lê Chân, Trân Châu, Hai Phong, Quảng Ninh, Thua Thien-Hue, Tiền Giang Province, Thanh Hóa, Phu Yen
See the main travel overview: Vietnam.
