Hai Phong map made easy: find your way around the new city

The sign outside Hai Phong Railway Station still reads "Ga Hải Phòng" on Luong Khanh Thien Street, even though its current administrative address is in Gia Vien Ward. The station hasn’t moved, but the city around it has changed considerably. Open a map of Hai Phong today and you’ll see an area extending west into the former Hai Duong Province and east toward the islands. The easiest way to make sense of it is to start at Hai Phong Opera House, then work out which direction you need to travel.

1. How big is Hai Phong after the 2025 merger?

On July 1, 2025, Hai Phong City and the former Hai Duong Province merged into one centrally governed city, retaining the name Hai Phong.

The enlarged municipality covers approximately 3,194.72 square kilometers and contains 114 commune-level administrative units: 45 urban wards, 67 rural communes and two special administrative zones, Cat Hai and Bach Long Vi.

Vietnam also introduced a two-tier local government structure. The former district-level administrative system was removed, meaning old district names may still appear in addresses or on Google Maps even though they are no longer current administrative units.

The change is easier for travelers to understand geographically than administratively.

You can divide the new Hai Phong into five main areas.

Central Hai Phong: Opera House, railway station and historic streets

This is the part of Hai Phong most visitors already recognize.

The old urban center stretches around Hai Phong Opera House, Tam Bac Lake, the central garden strip, Hai Phong Railway Station and streets such as Dien Bien Phu, Tran Phu, Cau Dat and Luong Khanh Thien.

Photo: Akira

You’ll find plenty of hotels, local restaurants and older buildings here.

Arriving by train, you can begin exploring here without traveling across the city.

Names such as Hong Bang, Ngo Quyen and Le Chan are still widely used. The names of the current wards do not cover the same boundaries as the former districts.

North of the Cam River: Thuy Nguyen and Vu Yen Island

Look north of the old city center and you’ll see the Cam River.

On its northern side lies Thuy Nguyen, home to Hai Phong’s new Political and Administrative Center in the Bac Song Cam urban area.

Hoang Van Thu Bridge provides an important connection between the older city and the northern development area.

It is also a useful landmark on the map. Once you’ve crossed the bridge, the surroundings change from older urban streets to broad roads, new buildings and planned developments.

Vu Yen Island is in this general direction too. On Google Maps, you’ll encounter names such as Vu Yen Island, Vinhomes Royal Island and Hoang Gia Bridge.

These are not the same pin. If you’re meeting friends or attending an event on Vu Yen, save the specific address.

East and southeast: Cat Bi Airport, the ports and Do Son

To the east of central Hai Phong is the Hai An area, where Cat Bi International Airport is located.

Farther northeast, the road network connects to Lach Huyen Port and Cat Hai Island.

Do Son is southeast of the center. It’s one of the easiest seaside destinations for a day trip from Hai Phong.

Do Son and Cat Ba require different routes, even though both are associated with the coast.

West: the former Hai Duong Province

The former Hai Duong urban center lies roughly 60 km west of central Hai Phong.

This is why the new city has both Hai Phong Railway Station in the port-city center and Hai Duong Railway Station in the former Hai Duong urban area.

They are part of the same wider municipal area, but they are nowhere near each other.

Farther northwest are places such as Chi Linh and Con Son - Kiep Bac, which were previously part of Hai Duong Province.

If someone sends you an address labeled "Hai Phong" and Google Maps shows it tens of kilometers from the Opera House, the address may still be right.

It may simply be in the former Hai Duong area.

Offshore: Cat Hai, Cat Ba and Bach Long Vi

Cat Ba Island and the Cat Ba archipelago belong to Cat Hai Special Administrative Zone.

This is where you’ll find Cat Ba National Park, the Cat Co beaches and the departure points for trips into Lan Ha Bay.

Bach Long Vi is another special administrative zone, located much farther offshore in the Gulf of Tonkin.

It shouldn’t be treated as a nearby island excursion from Cat Ba.

2. Hai Phong on Google Maps: the landmarks worth saving

When you first arrive in Hai Phong, saving transport hubs is generally more useful than bookmarking dozens of attractions you may never visit.

The interactive map below highlights the main places you’ll need: Hai Phong Opera House, Hai Phong Railway Station, Cat Bi Airport, the two long-distance bus stations, Ben Binh, the new administrative center in Thuy Nguyen, Vu Yen Island, Do Son, the Cat Ba ferry terminals, Cat Ba Town and Hai Duong Railway Station.

Use these locations as starting points, then calculate the route from your actual accommodation.

Essential places on the new Hai Phong map

On Google Maps, a location may still display an old ward or district name. For navigation, the actual pin and entrance matter more than whether the address label has caught up with the latest administrative changes.

3. Distances and travel times from central Hai Phong

Hai Phong Opera House is a practical reference point because it sits near the older commercial and historic center.

The following distances and journey times are approximate, based on common road routes rather than straight-line measurements.

These estimates do not include time spent waiting for a boat or ferry, finding parking or navigating weekend traffic.

For Cat Ba, the distinction is particularly important. You cannot simply add the two road distances together and calculate the journey as though you were driving continuously.

There is a ferry crossing in between.

From Hai Phong Opera House to Cat Bi Airport

Cat Bi International Airport lies southeast of the old city center, in Hai An Ward.

Search for "Cat Bi International Airport" or "Cảng hàng không quốc tế Cát Bi" on Google Maps.

The road distance is approximately 9-10 km, so the drive is relatively short when traffic is moving normally.

However, a 20-minute drive doesn’t mean you’ll be at your check-in counter 20 minutes after leaving the hotel.

You still need to account for drop-off, the walk to the counter and airport security.

If you’re meeting someone arriving on a flight, check the arrivals area. If you’re flying out, select the correct departure terminal rather than a nearby business that happens to have "airport" in its name.

From the city center to Thuy Nguyen

The journey to the new Political and Administrative Center usually involves crossing the Cam River.

Hoang Van Thu Bridge is one of the main landmarks for this route.

Its distinctive arch is easy to recognize, and the road provides a clear geographical connection between the older urban center and the northern development area.

From Hai Phong Opera House, allow approximately 15-30 minutes by car in ordinary conditions.

If you have an appointment at a government office, don’t stop at searching for "Hai Phong Administrative Center".

The complex has multiple buildings and entrances. Ask for the specific department, building name and reception point.

From central Hai Phong to Do Son

Do Son is roughly 20 km southeast of Hai Phong Opera House.

In light traffic, the drive may take around 20-30 minutes. During summer weekends, allow longer.

When you search for "Do Son" on Google Maps, the app may display a general location for the peninsula.

That isn’t necessarily where you want to swim, eat or park.

The main tourist beach area comes up under "Do Son Zone II Beach" or "Bãi tắm khu II Đồ Sơn".

A restaurant or hotel you’re heading to has its own pin; use that instead.

Do Son works well for a day trip. You can leave central Hai Phong in the morning, spend time by the sea, have lunch and return in the afternoon.

But don’t rely on the shortest driving estimate to catch a train or flight with little time to spare.

From central Hai Phong to the former Hai Duong area

The old Hai Duong urban center is approximately 60 km west of Hai Phong Opera House.

Common road connections use National Highway 5 and other suitable routes depending on your destination.

It’s better to think of this as traveling between two urban areas rather than moving between neighborhoods of one compact city.

If you’ve recently moved to Hai Phong and someone gives you an address in Hai Duong Ward, ask for the full street address or a location pin.

Typing only "Hai Duong" may lead to a general map result rather than the building you need.

4. Where is Hai Phong Railway Station on the new map?

Hai Phong Railway Station is on Luong Khanh Thien Street, in Gia Vien Ward.

Photo: Bambusser

It is the familiar passenger station for rail services connecting Hanoi with Hai Phong.

Older booking websites and travel guides may still describe the location as being in Ngo Quyen District. That was part of the previous administrative system.

The station itself hasn’t moved.

International visitors can search for "Hai Phong Railway Station". The Vietnamese search term "Ga Hải Phòng, Lương Khánh Thiện" also works well.

From the station, the area around Hai Phong Opera House is close enough for a short local transfer. Walking may be reasonable with light luggage and suitable weather.

With a large suitcase or in heavy rain, a taxi or ride-hailing service will be more comfortable.

Hai Phong Station and Hai Duong Station are different

This sounds obvious until you look at the enlarged municipal map.

Both stations now fall within Hai Phong’s administrative territory, but they serve different urban areas.

Hai Phong Station is in the old port-city center. Hai Duong Station is roughly 60 km west.

Before paying for a train ticket, check the departure and arrival station names carefully.

If you’re staying near the former Hai Duong center and accidentally book a train departing from Hai Phong Station, you’ll have to travel a considerable distance just to board.

Train schedules and fares depend on the date, service and seat class. Check Vietnam Railways’ booking system for the journey you actually intend to take.

5. Hai Phong bus stations: which terminals should you use?

Some older travel articles still mention bus terminals that no longer operate as major intercity passenger stations in the same way.

For long-distance travel, two names worth recognizing on the current map are Thuong Ly Bus Station and Vinh Niem Bus Station.

Thuong Ly Bus Station

Thuong Ly Bus Station is located at 52 Hanoi Road, in Hong Bang Ward.

It lies northwest of the historic city center and connects to major roads leading toward Hanoi and other destinations.

Search for "Thuong Ly Bus Station" or "Bến xe Thượng Lý".

Different operators may use different platforms or ticket counters. Follow your bus company’s boarding instructions rather than assuming that every bus leaves from the same entrance.

Vinh Niem Bus Station

Vinh Niem Bus Station is on Bui Vien Road, near Bui Vien Bridge.

Its former administrative address referred to Vinh Niem Ward, Le Chan District. Under the new arrangement, the area belongs to An Bien Ward.

The terminal serves intercity passenger services and has dedicated areas for boarding, waiting and ticketing.

If your booking says Vinh Niem, using the terminal’s name on Google Maps is usually more reliable than trying to replace every part of the older address with the current ward name.

Old bus station names that can cause confusion

You may still encounter Lac Long, Cau Rao and Niem Nghia in older articles, old timetables or search results.

Do not assume they are operating as the same intercity terminals they once were.

Some routes have moved to other terminals.

Minibuses and limousine-style passenger vans can be even more confusing. Some operators collect passengers from an office, hotel or roadside meeting point rather than a formal bus terminal.

Before traveling, send the operator your accommodation’s Google Maps location and ask for the exact pickup pin in return.

6. Cat Ba ferry terminals and boat piers on the Hai Phong map

This is the section to read carefully if you’re planning a trip to Cat Ba Island.

Unlike Do Son, Cat Ba cannot be reached from central Hai Phong by a single uninterrupted road journey.

You need to cross the water by ferry, passenger boat or another available transport connection, then possibly continue across the island.

Ben Binh: passenger boats from central Hai Phong

Ben Binh is close to the old city center, in Hong Bang Ward.

It is a familiar name associated with passenger transport to Cat Ba.

On Google Maps, searches for "Ben Binh" may return the waterfront area, ticket offices, individual operators or nearby departure points.

For passenger speedboat services, journey times are often described as approximately 45-60 minutes, depending on the vessel and arrival point.

Some services also involve a connecting shuttle, making the total journey longer.

Before purchasing a ticket, ask three questions:

1. Where exactly do passengers check in and board?
2. Which pier does the boat arrive at on Cat Ba?
3. Is onward transport to central Cat Ba included?

A ticket described simply as "Ben Binh to Cat Ba" may not tell you everything you need to know.

Dong Bai Ferry Terminal: for passengers and vehicles

The ferry crossing to Cat Ba moved from the former Got terminal to Dong Bai Ferry Terminal on March 1, 2024.

This is one of the most important map updates for independent travelers.

Older guides may still direct you to Ben Got, even though Dong Bai is the operating terminal for the public ferry service.

From Hai Phong Opera House, Dong Bai is about 27 km away by road, traveling toward Cat Hai Island via the Tan Vu - Lach Huyen connection.

Search for "Dong Bai Ferry Terminal" or "Bến phà Đồng Bài".

The ferry crosses to Cai Vieng on the northern side of Cat Ba Island.

Once you arrive at Cai Vieng, there is another road journey of approximately 20-23 km to reach central Cat Ba.

Dong Bai - Cai Vieng ferry schedule for late 2026

The ferry timetable for September 1 to December 31, 2026 operates broadly between 5:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

Services generally run at intervals of around 30-40 minutes, depending on operating conditions.

The published final departures are:

Operations may be extended until 7:00 PM depending on conditions on the day, but this is not something to rely on when planning your day.

How much does the Dong Bai ferry cost?

The 2026 fare table lists the following reference prices:

The car fare is for the vehicle, with passenger tickets charged separately.

These are reference fares. Confirm the current tariff at the terminal before traveling.

Cai Vieng is not central Cat Ba

The ferry from Dong Bai arrives at Cai Vieng, some way from the main hotel strip on 1 Thang 4 Street in Cat Ba Town.

Photo: Christophe95

You still have around 20-23 km to travel.

In favorable conditions, the drive into central Cat Ba takes approximately 30-40 minutes.

The road passes through the island’s northern and inland areas, with hills, forest scenery and settlements along the way.

As a foot passenger, ask your hotel about transfers before leaving Hai Phong.

Do not assume that a hotel in central Cat Ba will be within walking distance of the ferry terminal.

Cat Ba Passenger Pier and Cai Beo Pier are different places

You’ll find several boat-related locations around central Cat Ba.

The passenger pier near the main waterfront on 1 Thang 4 Street is associated with passenger connections to and from the island.

Cai Beo Pier, meanwhile, is a common departure point for sightseeing boats exploring Lan Ha Bay.

These are different places serving different types of journeys.

If you book a Lan Ha Bay cruise, check the exact departure pier in your booking confirmation.

Don’t assume that every attraction labeled "Cat Ba Pier" or "Cat Ba Boat Terminal" refers to the right boarding point.

7. Has Google Maps updated the new Hai Phong ward names?

Google Maps may display a mixture of current and older administrative names.

There’s no reliable basis for assuming that every address across the enlarged city was updated at the same time.

The distinction is between the official administrative address and the physical location you need to reach.

For legal or administrative purposes, refer to the resolution on reorganizing wards and communes and the official ward and commune lists issued after the merger.

For day-to-day navigation, the establishment name, street address, nearby landmarks and exact map pin are often more useful.

How to pin the correct address after the merger

Step 1: search for the place, not just the ward.

For example, search for "Hai Phong Opera House" rather than "Hong Bang Ward".

For the railway station, try "Ga Hải Phòng, Lương Khánh Thiện".

A ward can cover a large area. A named building is usually much more precise.

Step 2: check the street and building details.

If several businesses have similar names, compare the street address, photographs, phone number and nearby landmarks.

For hotels or guesthouses, a photograph of the entrance can be particularly helpful.

Step 3: examine the map pin itself.

Someone tells you their office is near Hai Phong Opera House, but the pin appears in Chi Linh or the former Hai Duong area: check before starting the journey.

It’s easier to clarify a location while you’re still at your hotel than when you’re sitting in a taxi going the wrong way.

Step 4: save the place with a useful label.

Google Maps allows you to save places to lists, and you can use custom labels where supported.

Names like "My hotel", "Hai Phong train", "Dong Bai ferry" and "Friend’s house in Vu Yen" are often more practical than memorizing unfamiliar ward names.

Step 5: share the actual pin.

When arranging a pickup, send the driver your location through Google Maps.

A full written address can still lead to confusion if the associated pin is several hundred meters away.

This matters particularly if you’re carrying luggage, arriving late or waiting on a busy road.

A confusing example: Tran Hung Dao Ward

Before the merger, the former Hai Duong city had a ward called Tran Hung Dao.

That former ward was incorporated into the new Hai Duong Ward.

However, the enlarged Hai Phong also has a Tran Hung Dao Ward in the former Chi Linh area.

These are different locations.

An older document listing "Tran Hung Dao Ward, Hai Phong" could send you to the wrong place if you enter the current ward name without checking the rest of the address.

Use the street name, building name and surrounding landmarks to confirm the location.

Another example: the former Cho Sat Market

Cho Sat was once a well-known market in central Hai Phong.

The old market building was demolished as part of a redevelopment project.

You may still find historical photographs, old business listings or map references associated with the market.

That doesn’t mean the previous shopping area is still operating as it once did.

When using Google Maps, distinguish between a place that remains a recognized landmark and a business or facility that is currently operating.

For international visitors, the same principle applies to English place names.

"Hai Phong Opera House" and "Cat Bi International Airport" are convenient search terms, but the Vietnamese name and a shared map pin are usually more useful when communicating with local drivers.

8. How to download an offline Hai Phong map before visiting Cat Ba

You can download a Hai Phong offline map in Google Maps on Android or iPhone, where offline map downloads are supported.

It’s worth doing before traveling to Cat Ba, heading into areas with unreliable mobile coverage or using a travel SIM with limited data.

Downloading Hai Phong on Google Maps

1. Open Google Maps while connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data.
2. Tap your profile picture in the corner of the screen.
3. Select Offline maps.
4. Tap Select your own map.
5. Move and zoom the selection box to cover the area you need.
6. Tap Download and wait for the map to finish saving.

A map covering the main urban area and nearby coast may be enough when you’re staying around the Opera House, railway station, airport and Do Son.

For Cat Ba, check that your saved area includes Cat Hai Island, Dong Bai, Cai Vieng, the road across Cat Ba and the town center.

If the selected area is too large, download two separate sections: one for central Hai Phong and another for Cat Hai and Cat Ba.

What works offline?

Downloaded Google Maps areas can still display streets and support driving directions when the entire route is contained within the saved map.

However, some features won’t work without an internet connection.

• Real-time traffic conditions and alternative routes are unavailable.
• Walking, cycling and public transport directions are not supported in offline mode.
• Ferry schedules, speedboat departure times and service cancellations won’t update automatically.
• Some business information may be less complete than when you’re online.

9. Using the new Hai Phong map when moving to the city

People moving to Hai Phong use the map differently from visitors staying a few days.

Transport connections and commuting routes become more important than tourist attractions.

You’ll also encounter more administrative address changes when renting accommodation, arranging deliveries or visiting government offices.

Choose accommodation based on your daily destination

Living near the old city center suits people who work around Dien Bien Phu Street, Tran Phu Street, the Opera House or the railway station.

If your office is north of the Cam River, around Thuy Nguyen or Vu Yen, look closely at the bridge connections and rush-hour commuting times.

A short straight-line distance across a river may still involve a longer road journey.

A workplace in the former Hai Duong urban area is a different case: don’t choose accommodation in central old Hai Phong solely because both are now within the same city.

A commute of around 60 km each way is very different from traveling across a few neighborhoods.

Ask for more than the ward name

Many new wards combine several former administrative areas.

That means two addresses in the same ward can still be quite far apart.

When viewing a property, request the house number, street or residential area name, current ward and a Google Maps pin.

Then calculate the journey to work at the time you would normally leave.

Where Google Maps offers departure-time planning, it can help you compare expected traffic conditions more realistically.

Old geographical names are still useful

Local residents continue to use familiar names such as Thuy Nguyen, Hong Bang, Ngo Quyen, Le Chan, Kien An, Hai Duong and Chi Linh when describing where something is.

These names remain useful for understanding the geography, even when they no longer correspond to the same administrative units.

For a detailed breakdown of how the former wards and communes were reorganized, see Hai Phong after the merger: new wards, communes and administrative boundaries.

10. Three practical ways to use the Hai Phong map

A single-day food trip around central Hai Phong is very different from a two-day visit to Cat Ba, even though both start in the same city.

A one-day city trip

A day of eating and sightseeing only needs a few saved places: Hai Phong Railway Station, the Opera House, Tam Bac Lake and your chosen restaurants.

Most of these central landmarks are relatively close together.

There’s little reason to keep zooming out to the former Hai Duong area or Cat Ba when your plans are confined to the old city center.

You can also plan a separate walking route through the historic French-era streets, avoiding roads that aren’t easy on foot.

A day trip to Do Son

For Do Son, save your accommodation, the specific beach you want to visit, a lunch stop and a parking location if you’re driving.

Don’t save only "Do Son" and expect the map to take you directly to your preferred beach.

The coastal area includes different zones, accommodation options and access roads.

With children or older family members along, choose a beach close to food, somewhere to rest and your return pickup point rather than trying to visit every attraction on the map.

Two days and one night on Cat Ba

For an overnight Cat Ba trip, save at least four points in the order you’ll visit them: your accommodation in Hai Phong, your departure terminal, your arrival terminal on the island and your Cat Ba hotel.

If you’re traveling by ferry, the sequence is:

Central Hai Phong → Dong Bai → Cai Vieng → Central Cat Ba

If you’re taking a speedboat from Ben Binh, the route will differ.

Make sure you know whether your boat arrives near central Cat Ba or requires onward transport.

With a checkout time or a connecting boat or bus on the return journey, work backward from the last departure.

Google Maps can estimate a driving journey. It cannot promise that you’ll be on a particular ferry when vehicles are queuing outside the terminal.

11. Common mistakes when reading the new Hai Phong map

There are a few recurring problems that are easy to avoid once you know what to look for.

Choosing the first result containing "Hai Phong". A location in the former Hai Duong Province can now legitimately have a Hai Phong administrative address.

Confusing Hai Duong Station with Hai Duong Ward. The station is in the Thanh Dong area, while the new Hai Duong Ward is a different administrative unit.

Following directions to the old Got ferry terminal. The public ferry crossing to Cai Vieng moved to Dong Bai in March 2024.

Assuming Cai Vieng is Cat Ba Town. The ferry terminal is more than 20 km from the main hotel area.

Using outdated intercity bus information. Old references to Lac Long, Cau Rao or Niem Nghia may no longer reflect where your bus actually departs. Check the terminal name on your ticket.

Treating estimated driving time as guaranteed arrival time. A 35-minute road journey doesn’t account for finding the ticket counter, waiting in a vehicle queue or getting through a terminal.

Downloading only central Hai Phong for offline use. Your saved map may stop before reaching the roads across Cat Ba Island.

The trickiest part of navigating the enlarged Hai Phong isn’t learning dozens of unfamiliar street names. It’s recognizing that official addresses have changed while many transport services, landmarks and local directions still use familiar names.

Before you set off

If you’re visiting Cat Ba before December 31, 2026, check the ferry schedule before your travel date. The last scheduled departure is at 6:00 PM from Dong Bai and 5:30 PM from Cai Vieng. For speedboat travel, book at least a day ahead and save the exact boarding point and your accommodation pin before leaving central Hai Phong.