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Hai Phong

Hai Phong is northern Vietnam’s main port, and an important industrial and commercial center. 105km from Hanoi, Hai Phong is a beautiful city with much of the central colonial quarter still preserved. Many streets are bordered by flame flower trees, giving the city its other name “city of flame flowers”

General information:

Hai Phong is northern Vietnam’s main port, and an important industrial and commercial center. It is located in a convenient position for transportation to domestic provinces and international networks via road network, railway, sea routes, inland waterway and air.

Area: 1,520.7 sq. km.
Population: 1,837,302 habitants (2009)
Administrative divisions:
- Districts: Hong Bang, Ngo Quyen, Le Chan, Kien An, Hai An, Duong Kinh, Do Son.
- Rural districts: Thuy Nguyen, An Duong, An Lao, Kien Thuy, Tien Lang, Vinh Bao, Cat Hai, Bach Long Vi.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Tay, Nung…

Location:

Hai Phong is a coastal city, located in the east of Northern coastal area, 120 km away from capital Hanoi, with a total natural area of 152,318.49 ha (according to statistics of 2001), equal to 0.45% natural area of the whole country. Hai Phong shares the border with Quang Ninh province in the north, Hai Duong province in the west, Thai Binh province in the south and East Sea in the east

Weather:

Located within the belt of tropical monsoons of Asia and adjoining the East Sea, Hai Phong is under monsoon influence. Hai Phong climate can be divided into two distinct seasons, winter and summer. The temperate is moderate.The cold and dry Northeast monsoon (during winter time) is from November to April. The cool and fresh Southeastern monsoons (during summer time) causing a lot of rain from May to October. The average annual rainfall varies from 1,600mm to 1,800mm. There are often storms from June to September.

Transportation:

Hai Phong is served by an important transportation network of sea routes, roads, railways, and airlines.

- Highways: The National Highway No. 10 links Hai Phong to the provinces of Quang Ninh, Thai Binh and Thanh Hoa. Haiphong is 102km from Hanoi.

- Airways: There are connecting daily flights with Ho Chi Minh City, departed from Cat Bi Airport.

- Railways: There are trains from Hanoi to Haiphong and vice versa.

- Waterways: Daily ferries from the dock on Ben Binh St. for other destinations. The ferry runs from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island several times a day. The hydrofoil boats run between Hai Phong – Cat Ba and Hai Phong – Hon Gai. The high-speed air-condition Thong Nhat Boat leave daily from Hai Phong to Cat Ba.

Tourism:

Hai Phong is a beautiful city with much of the central colonial quarter still preserved. Many streets are bordered by flame flower trees, giving the city its other name “city of flame flowers”.

Hai Phong is also a good base for exploring other areas in the northeast such as Cat Ba and Halong Bay. In Hai Phong itself, the Du Hang temple, Hang Kenh communal house and the old quarter are worth visiting. Nearby Do Son beach is northern Vietnam’s most popular seaside retreat. Casino in Do Son is also a feature of Hai Phong attracting many visitors.

The Du Hang Pagoda:

Since being established in the 17th century, worshippers at this pagoda reconstructed it many times. There is a 2 storey gate, statue of the Goddess of Mercy in the courtyard, many statues of Bodhisattvas, guardians and the wooden goddesses, and a lot of ancient furniture. The bells out the front are interesting.

The Hang Kenh Communal House:

The boat shaped house has a beautiful facade, carved frames and pillars of precious wood. It was built in the 17th century. The central section is dedicated to King Ngo Quyen and his generals, who defeated the army of the great Kublai Khan no less, in the battle of the Bach Dang River in 938 AD. This battle ended over 1,000 years of foreign rule in Vietnam.

Do Son Beach:

Do Son Beach is situated in Do Son Town, 20km from the southwest of Hai Phong City. Do Son Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the North of Vietnam.

Do Son is a small peninsula located between the Lach Tray and Van Uc Rivers. Do Son beaches are shaded by thousands of sandalwood trees and surrounded by mountains and Pine Hills.

The sea resort town is composed of tree zones, each having bathing beaches, hills and forests. Around the hills are French-style constructions looking towards the sea. Since 1975, many large hotels and guest houses have been set up over the town and Do Son has become a weekend sea resort for Vietnamese and foreigners.

Cat Ba Island:

Cat Ba is about 140 sq.km in Ha Long Bay, is the largest one in the bay. It is commonly used as an overnight hotel stop on inexpensive package tours to Ha Long Bay run by travel agents from Hanoi.

Half of its area is covered by a National Park, which is home to the highly endangered Cat Ba Langur. This golden-headed langur is rarely seen, as fewer than 100 specimens are thought to survive in the wild, although it is the subject of a well-organised conservation programme. The Park covers both land and marine areas and has a high biodiversity, although it is at risk from too rapid an increase in tourism. Other mammals in the Park include civet cats and oriental giant squirrels.

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Hai Phong

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