Haiphong: Experience its culture and urban history

Haiphong offers several themes to consider when planning a hotel stay: historic buildings, religious sites, urban history and local cuisine. When looking for a hotel, you can first consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay. The city's sites and traditions offer concrete points of reference.

Architecture and history in the cityscape

Đình Hàng Kênh in Lê Chân was founded in 1719 and rebuilt between 1841 and 1850. Its rare, boat-shaped floor design is a distinctive architectural feature; the architecture and woodcarving also define the site. Building history and craftsmanship come together here.

Đền Nghè in central Haiphong is a historical and cultural monument dedicated to General Lê Chân. Its wood and stone carvings depict dragons, unicorns, turtles and phoenixes, as well as the four symbolic plants. Unlike Hàng Kênh, its dedication to Lê Chân is an explicit focus alongside its decorative work: the two monuments emphasize different aspects.

Haiphong Opera House was built from 1904 to 1912 in the Baroque style, modeled on the Paris Opera. It is classified as a national architectural and art-historical monument. Haiphong is one of three cities in Vietnam with an opera house built during the French colonial period.

The Tam Bạc Old Quarter also retains its historic architectural character; its buildings are almost a century old. Tam Bạc Street is an old street in central Haiphong, running along the right bank of the Tam Bạc River.

Pagoda, museum and religious tradition

Dư Hàng Pagoda has a seven-bay Buddha hall, a three-story bell tower and a large bronze bell. Preserved objects include old bells, Khánh gongs, bronze incense burners and handicrafts made of ceramic and greenstone. There is also an old collection of Āgama scriptures. The pagoda's history also includes a historical connection to the Trúc Lâm Zen tradition.

Hai Phong Museum preserves more than 22,000 artifacts; an official city notice from 2026 gives this collection size, which may be updated. Another city notice lists 1,736 artifacts and 840 pictures and documents on display. Exhibitions may change.

Festivals and cuisine

The Đền Nghè Festival takes place from the eighth to the tenth day of the second lunar month. Visitors come to see the monument and commemorate Lê Chân. As the date follows the lunar calendar, check the festival dates for the relevant year when planning your trip.

Haiphong's well-known specialties include Bánh đa cua, Bánh mì cay, crab spring rolls and sweet soups. The city's tourism sector has developed culinary tourism for visitors, so local cuisine can be a focus of its own during your stay. A 2023 tourism article reported that many young people chose the Haiphong Foodtour as their first activity when arriving in the port city.

Getting around the city

Haiphong Railway Station is on Lương Khánh Thiện Street; its front building is a yellow, two-story structure. From the station, visitors can explore the city by taxi or rented motorbike. As provider availability may change, check this option for your trip.

The city information lists check-in spots in the city center within an approximate 800-meter radius of the opera house. They offer a way to explore the city's historical and cultural stories. This guidance adds another perspective on Haiphong's urban history to its buildings, temples and museum.

For the broader travel overview: Lê Chân.