2-day, 1-night trip to experience the sea and harbor with red flamboyant flowers.
Discover a detailed 2-day, 1-night self-guided Hai Phong travel itinerary for 2025, featuring highlights such as Cat Ba Island, Do Son Island, and unique local cuisine like crab noodle soup and fish noodle soup.
Hai Phong, a vibrant port city, is an attractive destination with its pristine beaches and islands, unique culture, and distinctive cuisine such as crab noodle soup, fish noodle soup, and grilled pork patties. Located just 120km from Hanoi, Hai Phong is easily accessible and ideal for short trips. With a 2-day, 1-night self-guided trip, you can explore Cat Ba Island, Do Son beach, and enjoy delicious local dishes. This article provides a detailed 2025 itinerary, practical experiences, and cost-saving tips, suitable for beginners, experienced travelers, and food lovers.
Why choose a 2-day, 1-night self-guided trip to Hai Phong?
Hai Phong offers a rich blend of nature, culture, and cuisine. From Cat Ba Island with its emerald green Lan Ha Bay to the bustling atmosphere of the port city, Hai Phong caters to all types of travelers. In just 2 days and 1 night, you can explore prominent destinations, enjoy local specialties, and savor the sea breeze. Independent travel allows for flexible scheduling, cost savings compared to package tours, and the freedom to experience things your own way. By 2025, with the development of tourism services and transportation, Hai Phong promises to offer unforgettable journeys.
Prepare for your Hai Phong self-guided trip in 2025.
To ensure a smooth and economical trip, thorough preparation is essential. Here are the specific steps:
- The ideal time:April-June (summer, warm weather 25-30°C, calm sea) and September-November (autumn, cool) are the best times to swim and explore Cat Ba. Avoid July-August as storms are more likely. Check the weather forecast 7 days in advance via the AccuWeather app.
- Means of transportation:From Hanoi, take a bus (100,000-150,000 VND/trip) or a motorbike/car via the Hanoi-Hai Phong expressway (2 hours). From Ho Chi Minh City, fly to Cat Bi Airport (1,000,000-2,000,000 VND/one way, Vietjet, Bamboo Airways), then take a taxi (100,000 VND) to the city center. In Hai Phong, rent a motorbike (100,000-150,000 VND/day) or an electric vehicle in Cat Ba (500,000 VND/day/10 people).
- Finance:Estimated cost: 1,500,000-2,500,000 VND/person (transportation, food, accommodation, entrance fees). Bring 500,000 VND in cash per person and a bank card (ATMs are common in central Hai Phong and Cat Ba).
- Accommodation:Book a homestay (250,000-600,000 VND/night) or a 2-3 star hotel (500,000-1,200,000 VND/room/night) through Booking or Traveloka. Choose an area near Cat Co beach or the center of Hai Phong (Le Hong Phong street) for convenient transportation.
- Luggage:Bring swimwear, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen (SPF 50+), athletic shoes, a folding umbrella, motion sickness medication, and a first-aid kit. Prepare a small backpack with drinking water (2 bottles of 500ml) and snacks (bread, sticky rice, 50,000 VND) to save money.
- Supported applications:Use Google Maps and Vietmap for navigation; Traveloka and Klook for booking bus, train, and hotel tickets; and Foody for finding restaurants. Download offline maps of Hai Phong and Cat Ba to use when you don't have internet access.
Tip:Book your speedboat tickets to Cat Ba early through Traveloka to avoid disappointment. Ask for prices before buying food or local specialties to avoid being overcharged.
Detailed 2-day 1-night Hai Phong travel itinerary for 2025
The itinerary is designed to explore downtown Hai Phong, Cat Ba Island, and enjoy local specialties such as crab noodle soup and fish noodle soup. Motorbikes and speedboats are used to optimize time. Below is the detailed plan:
Day 1: Hanoi – Hai Phong – Cat Ba – Lan Ha Bay – Crab Noodle Soup
6:00 AM: Departure from Hanoi
Take a bus from Gia Lam bus station or a limousine from Hanoi's Old Quarter to Hai Phong (100,000-250,000 VND/trip, 2 hours). Stop for breakfast (bun rieu, pho, 30,000-50,000 VND/serving). Arrive at Ben Binh pier (Hai Phong) around 8:30 AM, buy a ticket for the high-speed ferry to Cat Ba (100,000-150,000 VND/trip, 45 minutes).
10:00 AM: Arrive in Cat Ba – Check in and have lunch.
The boat arrives at Cat Ba, check into a homestay/hotel near Cat Co beach (250,000-1,200,000 VND/night). Rent a motorbike (100,000 VND/day). Have lunch with...crab noodle soup(40,000 VND/serving), a Hai Phong specialty dish with a sweet and savory broth and succulent freshwater crab.
12:30 PM: Lan Ha Bay Tour
Book a canoe tour to explore.Lan Ha BayAt Beo Wharf (250,000-350,000 VND/person, 4 hours). Visit the floating fishing village, kayak (100,000 VND/hour), and swim at Van Boi Beach. Take photos with the limestone islands and turquoise water. Bring snacks (bread, 50,000 VND) to save money.
5:00 PM: Cat Co Beach – Sunset
Come by motorbikeCat Co Beach 1 or 2(Free). Swim in the sea, relax on the white sand, and watch the sunset. Rent a sun lounger (30,000 VND/each) if needed. The visit takes approximately 1.5 hours.
7:00 PM: Enjoy a seafood dinner and take a stroll through the night streets.
Dinner with a seafood combo (shrimp, squid, crab, 150,000-250,000 VND/person). Stroll through Cat Ba's nightlife, enjoying coffee (40,000 VND/cup) or draft beer (10,000 VND/cup). Overnight stay in Cat Ba.
Day 2: Cat Ba – Hai Phong – Do Son – Fish noodle soup and return to Hanoi
6:30 AM: Have breakfast and visit the Cannon Fortress.
Have breakfast with shrimp noodle soup (40,000 VND/serving). Travel by motorbike.Cannon Fortress(Ticket: 80,000 VND/person). Enjoy panoramic views of Lan Ha Bay and take photos with the ancient cannons. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour.
8:30 AM: Cat Ba National Park
Come by motorbikeCat Ba National Park(15km, entrance fee 80,000 VND/person). Take a short walk (2km) through the primeval forest to explore Trung Trang Cave (entrance fee 40,000 VND). Bring comfortable walking shoes and water. The visit takes approximately 1.5 hours.
11:00 AM: Return to Hai Phong – Have lunch (fish noodle soup).
Check out of your homestay/hotel. Take the speedboat back to Hai Phong (100,000-150,000 VND/trip, 10:30 AM). Arrive at Ben Binh pier around 11:30 AM, take a motorbike/taxi to eat Hai Phong fish noodle soup (40,000 VND/serving), a local specialty with a sour and spicy broth and crispy fried fish.
13:00: Do Son Beach
Go there by motorbike/taxiDo Son beach(20km, free). Enjoy swimming, taking photos with the long sandy beach and lively atmosphere. Savor Ha Long grilled pork skewers (50,000 VND/serving) at seaside restaurants. The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours.
3:30 PM: Shopping for local specialties and returning to Hanoi.
Go to Cat Bi Market or Big C supermarket in Hai Phong to buy local specialties such as "Banh Duc Tau" (50,000 VND/box), Cat Hai fish sauce (100,000 VND/liter), and "Cha Chia" (200,000 VND/kg). Negotiate the price for a 10-15% discount. Take a bus/limousine back to Hanoi (100,000-250,000 VND/trip, 2 hours). Arrive in Hanoi around 6:30 PM, ending the trip.
Comparing independent travel and package tours.
To help you choose the right option, here is a comparison table between independent travel and package tours:
| Criteria | Independent travel | Package tour |
|---|---|---|
| Expense | 1,500,000-2,500,000 VND/person (transportation, food, accommodation, tickets) | 2,000,000-3,500,000 VND/person (including transportation, boat, food, and accommodation) |
| Flexible | High salary, flexible scheduling. | Low, on a fixed schedule |
| Experience | Authentic and close to local culture and cuisine. | Convenient, with guides sharing knowledge. |
| Suitable for | Young, experienced, and passionate about food. | Newcomers, families, large groups |
Selection tips:Independent travel is ideal for those who love exploration and want the flexibility to enjoy Hai Phong's cuisine. Package tours are suitable for beginners or companies organizing team building activities (for example, Vietravel, prices from 2,000,000 VND/person). Book tours through reputable companies to ensure quality.
Tips for saving money when traveling independently in Hai Phong in 2025
To optimize costs, apply the following tips:
- Book your tickets early:Book bus, train, and hotel tickets 1-2 months in advance through Traveloka or Klook to save 10-20% on costs.
- Choose a suitable restaurant:Eat at budget-friendly eateries (30,000-80,000 VND/meal) instead of upscale restaurants. Buy snacks at Cat Ba market to save money.
- Group trip:Share the costs of homestay, motorbike rental, and canoe tours to reduce personal expenses by 20-30%.
- Smart shopping:Negotiate prices for local specialties at Cat Bi market, buying early in the morning to get fresh goods and good prices (10-15% discount).
- Prioritize free points:Visit Cat Co Beach and Do Son Beach to save on entrance fees.
Note:Bring motion sickness medication when traveling by boat. Check the weather forecast 7 days in advance to avoid storms.
Experience the unique culinary delights of Hai Phong.
Hai Phong is a culinary paradise with dishes that truly reflect the port city's character. Here are some must-try dishes:
- Crab noodle soup:Crab broth, red rice noodles, betel leaf rolls (40,000 VND/serving).
- Fish noodle soup:Crispy fried fish with spicy and sour broth (40,000 VND/serving).
- Cha chia:Fried squid fish cakes, priced at 50,000 VND per serving, available in Do Son.
- Seafood:Grilled shrimp, squid, and crab (150,000-250,000 VND/person).
- Chinese-style rice cake:Savory rice cake with dried shrimp, priced at 50,000 VND/box (Cat Bi Market).
Tip:Go in a group of 4-6 people and order a seafood combo, saving 20%. Ask for the price before ordering to avoid being overcharged.
Activities and entertainment in Hai Phong
Besides sightseeing, Hai Phong offers many interesting activities:
- Kayaking:In Lan Ha Bay, the price is 100,000 VND/hour, suitable for groups of friends.
- Swimming in the sea:When visiting Cat Co Beach or Do Son, bring a swimsuit and sunscreen.
- Check-in for Instagram photos:Cannon Fortress, Lan Ha Bay, and the rocky beaches of Cat Ba are beautiful spots for taking photos.
- Explore street food:Stroll through Cat Ba night market and enjoy crab noodle soup and grilled pork patties.
Tip:Book a canoe or kayak tour through your homestay to get a 10-15% better price. Bring extra batteries for unlimited photography.
Frequently Asked Questions about Traveling to Hai Phong
1. What is special about Hai Phong?
Hai Phong is known for Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay, Do Son beach, and its cuisine, including crab noodle soup, fish noodle soup, and grilled pork patties.
2. Is 2 days and 1 night enough to explore?
Enough time to visit Cat Ba Island, Do Son, and enjoy the local cuisine with a reasonable itinerary.
3. How much will the trip cost?
Self-funded tours cost approximately 1,500,000-2,500,000 VND per person, while package tours cost 2,000,000-3,500,000 VND per person.
4. Is there any special preparation needed?
Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and motion sickness medication. Book ferry tickets and homestay early, and check the weather forecast before your trip.
5. What to do if you encounter a storm?
Check the weather forecast 7 days in advance. If there's a storm, stay at the hotel and explore the center of Hai Phong (Cat Bi Market, the Opera House).
A 2-day, 1-night self-guided trip to Hai Phong is a fantastic opportunity to explore Cat Ba Island, enjoy delicious local cuisine, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of this port city. With a detailed itinerary, practical experience, and cost-saving tips for 2025, you're ready to embark on this adventure. Pack your bags, book your bus or ferry tickets, and explore Hai Phong today!
