Plan your Hai Phong Red Flamboyant Festival trip for fireworks and brilliant May blooms
May brings Hai Phong's flamboyant trees into bloom and fills the city with some of its liveliest celebrations of the year. The trade-off is hot, humid weather, crowded streets, and an opening-night schedule that may change close to the event.
16 min read
The stage for the Red Flamboyant Festival opening programme during a preview rehearsal, with Hai Phong spelled out on red LED screens.
Every May, photos of Hai Phong’s streets glowing beneath bright red flamboyant blossoms make their way across social media. Want the best chance of experiencing the Red Flamboyant Festival? Keep May 7-14 in mind, the peak festival period in the two most recent years. The city usually confirms each year’s opening date around March or April.
What makes the Red Flamboyant Festival special?
The Red Flamboyant Festival, known in Vietnamese as Lễ hội Hoa Phượng Đỏ, is an annual cultural and tourism celebration in Hai Phong. It is closely linked to May 13, 1955, the date marking the city’s liberation.
Central Hai Phong fills up during the festival with outdoor performances, parades, exhibitions, local food stalls, and cultural activities for residents and visitors. The most anticipated event is usually the opening-night performance, featuring elaborate lighting, music, large-scale choreography, and a fireworks finale.
The evenings that follow are slower. You can wander through the city center, watch street performers, sample local dishes, and photograph flowering trees without spending the entire night in front of a single stage.
The festival’s story began in 2012. The first celebration took place on June 9, 2012, at the square outside Hai Phong’s Opera House. June was originally chosen because flamboyant trees were in abundant bloom. In later years, the main celebrations moved to May to coincide with the anniversary of the city’s liberation.
The event has since expanded far beyond one performance venue. In 2026, the first festival following the merger of Hai Phong and Hai Duong was held under the theme "Hai Phong - Convergence and Radiance." It featured 22 major activities and approximately 60 supporting events across the city.
The seven-day celebration in central Hai Phong alone attracted around 128,800 visits.
When is the Hai Phong Red Flamboyant Festival in 2027?
The Red Flamboyant Festival usually opens in the first half of May, on or a few days before Liberation Day on May 13, and the city publishes the program a few weeks ahead.
May 13, 2027, falls on a Thursday and marks the 72nd anniversary of Hai Phong’s liberation. That anniversary is the reference point, though in 2026 the festival opened five days earlier, on May 8.
Looking at the two most recent editions gives a useful idea of what to expect.
| Detail | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Main opening ceremony | Tuesday, May 13 | Friday, May 8 |
| Opening venue | Political and Administrative Center Square, North Cam River | Same venue, North Cam River |
| Overall festival period | Late April to June 1 | Late March through May |
| Central-city celebrations | Parade on May 11; performances continuing into June | Evening events from May 7-13 |
| Fireworks | Six locations simultaneously | Main opening-night display at North Cam River |
These schedules show that the opening ceremony may happen several days before May 13, while exhibitions and other activities can continue for weeks.
Plans can also change relatively late.
At a planning meeting on March 7, 2026, the festival was initially expected to run from May 9-15, with the opening ceremony scheduled for 8 PM on May 13. By April, the opening had been moved to May 8. A notice issued on May 4 subsequently listed a 7:30 PM start, while another preparation update that day still mentioned 8 PM.
May 7-14, 2027, is a reasonable provisional window to plan around, based on the previous two years, not a confirmed festival schedule.
Watch for official announcements from the Hai Phong city government and its Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism from around March or April 2027.
Where can you watch the opening ceremony and fireworks?
North Cam River Square hosted the main opening ceremonies in 2025 and 2026
In both 2025 and 2026, the main opening ceremony took place at the Political and Administrative Center Square in the new North Cam River urban area, Thuy Nguyen Ward.
The venue sits on the northern bank of the Cam River, away from the historic Opera House area.
Hai Phong Opera House and the North Cam River opening venue are not the same place, so for opening night, book the ride and the hotel around North Cam River Square. Both years, the main stage stood across the river at North Cam River.
On May 8, 2026, the opening performance involved more than 1,000 artists, performers, and supporting participants. VTV1 and Hai Phong’s local television channels broadcast it live.
The evening concluded with a 12-minute artistic fireworks display at the square. The planned fireworks window was approximately 9:20-9:32 PM.
Do you need tickets for the opening ceremony?
At the 2026 opening ceremony, the main grandstand had 8,136 seats allocated to VIP guests, delegates, and people holding tickets or official invitations.
None of these seats went on general sale.
Visitors without invitations could still enjoy the event free of charge from designated public areas behind the grandstand. Four large LED screens were installed so that people outside the seated area could follow the performances.
Although the stage view was more limited, the public areas still offered the atmosphere of the celebration, including music, lighting, and the excitement surrounding the fireworks.
The actual view of the fireworks depended on security barriers, crowd management, and the viewing areas available on the night.
Where are the Red Flamboyant Festival fireworks launched?
Fireworks locations have varied from year to year.
In 2025, for the 70th anniversary of Hai Phong’s liberation, the city organized simultaneous fireworks displays at six locations on May 13. The displays were scheduled to start at about 9:41 PM and last 15 minutes.
The six locations were:
- Political and Administrative Center Square, North Cam River.
- An Bien Lake waterfront.
- Vinhomes Vu Yen urban area square.
- The area behind Hai Phong Opera House.
- The former Duong Kinh administrative center.
- Tien Lang Stadium.
The first three sites featured a combination of high-altitude and low-altitude fireworks, while the remaining sites mainly hosted low-altitude displays.
In 2026, the artistic fireworks finale of the opening ceremony was concentrated at North Cam River Square.
Neither An Bien Lake nor the Opera House had its own launch site that year, so the 2027 locations depend on the new plan.
Opening night is generally one of the busiest parts of the celebration. Arriving one or two hours before the ceremony gives you more time to find a suitable public viewing spot and identify the nearest exits, particularly when traveling with children.
What happens at Hai Phong Opera House on festival evenings?
For visitors who want to enjoy the festival without joining the largest opening-night crowds, the Opera House area and central flower gardens offer a more relaxed alternative.
A seven-day program ran there from May 7-13, 2026, with daily activities scheduled between approximately 5:30 PM and midnight.
The festival area stretched from the statue of General Le Chan through the central gardens toward Tran Hung Dao Street. Open-air stages, exhibition booths, food stalls, and street performances filled the pedestrian-friendly sections.
| Date | Activities in central Hai Phong |
|---|---|
| May 7 | Opening of the central festival program, followed by international artistic performances |
| May 8 | Live broadcast of the main opening ceremony on LED screens |
| May 9 | 5:30 PM: "Hai Phong - Essence of the Heritage Region" parade; 6:30 PM: Fourth Expanded Hai Phong Puppetry Festival |
| May 10 | Zumba performances |
| May 11 | Children’s music program, "Young Shoots of the Port City" |
| May 12 | Street music performances |
| May 13 | "Rhythm of the City" closing-night music program |
This is the confirmed 2026 program, provided as a reference, not the 2027 event schedule.
The public outdoor performances and general festival spaces were free to enter. Visitors could walk between stages, watch performances, and explore the displays without purchasing a general admission ticket.
Food, drinks, and optional services at individual stalls were charged separately.
Explore the "Past" and "Present" exhibition areas
The 2026 festival featured 18 exhibition booths along the central gardens, divided into two themed areas.
The "Past" section had eight booths dedicated to traditional culture, intangible heritage, and regional specialties from Hai Phong and the former Hai Duong area.
Among the dishes on display were bánh đa cua (Hai Phong’s signature crab noodle soup), nem cua bể (square crab spring rolls), bánh mì pate Cột Đèn (the city’s well-known pâté baguette), mung bean cakes, and seasonal dishes made with rươi, a local marine worm specialty from Tu Ky.
The "Present" section had ten booths with contemporary food, cultural products, and art.
Acrobatics, folk games, solo guitar performances, dance, and other street entertainment added to the atmosphere.
Visitors moved freely here: they could stroll through the gardens, pause to watch puppetry or live music, stop for dinner, and continue exploring the illuminated streets.
The 2026 festival also included a special Hai Phong Museum exhibition titled "Hai Phong: Historical Imprints - Convergence and Radiance."
Running from May 8 to July 8, it displayed more than 250 documents, photographs, and historical objects at two locations: 66 Dien Bien Phu Street and 11 Hong Quang Street.
Anyone interested in the city’s history found it a worthwhile daytime activity away from the outdoor heat.
Is there a carnival or street parade?
Hai Phong does not organize an event officially called a carnival every year.
In 2025, a large public parade took place around the Opera House on the morning of May 11, featuring dozens of participating groups.
The 2026 parade, "Hai Phong - Essence of the Heritage Region," was held on the evening of May 9.
Carnival-style celebrations have appeared in earlier festival editions, including 2018, but the published schedules for 2025 and 2026 used the term parade rather than listing a separate carnival.
To see a procession through the streets, look for the parade and its route in the published schedule.
When do flamboyant trees bloom in Hai Phong?
Hai Phong’s red flamboyant trees generally begin flowering in early May, reach their fullest around mid-May, and often retain plenty of blossoms into June.
The exact timing varies with temperature, rainfall, and individual trees.
The flamboyant tree, also called the royal poinciana (Delonix regia), was introduced to Hai Phong during the French colonial period in the late 19th century.
Over time, its brilliant red blossoms became so closely associated with the city that Hai Phong earned the nickname Thành phố Hoa Phượng Đỏ, meaning "City of Red Flamboyant Flowers."
By early summer, the flowers appear along major streets, beside lakes, in schoolyards, and on roads leading toward the coast.
Hai Phong’s flamboyant photo spots fall into three settings: the streets around the Opera House, the lakes, and the road to Do Son.
Streets around Hai Phong Opera House
Hoang Van Thu, Quang Trung, Tran Phu
Hoang Van Thu, Dinh Tien Hoang, Quang Trung, Tran Phu, and Nguyen Duc Canh are all worth exploring during the flowering season. Le Hong Phong, Lach Tray, and Cau Dat also offer opportunities to spot blooming trees.
In the historic center, red blossoms stand out against older buildings, tree-lined streets, and the city’s mix of architectural styles.
A photograph that includes both the flamboyant canopy and a recognizable street scene often feels more distinctly Hai Phong than a close-up of the flowers alone.
Early morning and late afternoon generally offer softer light than midday. These hours are also more comfortable for walking, with fewer harsh shadows and less intense heat.
Tam Bac Lake and An Bien Lake
Water reflections and wide shots
Tam Bac Lake suits photographs that combine trees, water reflections, and the paths around the lakeside.
When the flamboyant trees are flowering, their red blossoms can appear reflected in the water, creating a softer scene than the busy city streets nearby.
An Bien Lake provides a more open setting, with room for wider compositions and relaxed afternoon walks. It was also one of the fireworks locations during the 2025 festival.
The road to Do Son and Rao Bridge
Three steel flowers on Rao Bridge
Along the route toward Do Son Beach, you can still encounter stretches of road framed by flamboyant trees during the summer.
Rao Bridge is another recognizable landmark, with a decorative installation of three red flamboyant flowers made of steel.
Anyone mainly interested in photography can consider mid-May and adjust the exact dates based on the weather and how the blossoms are developing.
Is the festival worth combining with Cat Ba or Ha Long Bay?
Yes, especially on a first trip to northern Vietnam.
Hai Phong in May offers a distinctly urban experience compared with a boat trip through limestone islands or a quiet day at the beach.
Heading to Cat Ba Island? An easy approach is to spend one night in central Hai Phong enjoying the festival, then continue to the island the next morning.
With an extra day, you could explore the Opera House, Hai Phong Museum, Tam Bac Lake, and the city’s local restaurants before heading to the coast.
- Day 1
Central Hai Phong
Arrive in Hai Phong, check into your hotel, explore the Opera House area, enjoy local food, and attend an evening festival event.
- Day 2
Out to Cat Ba
Travel to Cat Ba Island, explore the island, or take a sightseeing cruise through Lan Ha Bay.
- Day 3
Beach or head back
Spend more time at the beach or return to Hai Phong and continue to Hanoi.
Ha Long Bay is also a practical destination to combine with the festival, either before or after a night in Hai Phong.
Just allow enough time for transfers. The Red Flamboyant Festival takes place primarily in Hai Phong’s urban areas, not at Ha Long’s cruise departure terminals.
For international visitors, the festival adds an evening of local Vietnamese celebration to days spent at the region’s better-known natural sights.
Street performances, parades, food stalls, and fireworks are enjoyable even without understanding Vietnamese.
Where should you stay during the festival?
For easy access to the Opera House, evening performances, restaurants, and the older parts of Hai Phong, look for accommodation in the historic city center, particularly around the former Hong Bang district and nearby streets.
Hotels close to Hai Phong Railway Station are also convenient for visitors arriving by train.
Travelers mainly attending the North Cam River opening ceremony might prefer accommodation around Thuy Nguyen or arrange transportation from the city center.
The ceremony ends late, and large numbers of spectators often leave the venue at the same time.
The festival follows closely after Vietnam’s April 30-May 1 public holidays, one of the country’s major domestic travel periods.
Between April 25 and May 3, 2026, average hotel occupancy across Hai Phong was approximately 70%. On peak days, some properties in the city center, Do Son, and Cat Ba reported full occupancy.
These figures refer to the holiday period rather than occupancy specifically on the festival’s opening night. Still, booking close to the date leaves fewer rooms to choose from.
While the 2027 schedule is unconfirmed, a hotel with free cancellation lets you shift your stay once the opening-night date is announced, without losing the full booking cost.
Road closures, traffic restrictions and parking
Around Hai Phong Opera House
During the 2026 festival, temporary traffic restrictions were introduced on several roads leading toward the Opera House.
On May 6, 7, and 9, restrictions generally applied from 5 PM to 6:30 PM.
Affected streets included Hoang Van Thu, Dinh Tien Hoang, Tran Hung Dao, Tran Phu, Quang Trung, Nguyen Duc Canh, Le Dai Hanh, Cau Dat, Me Linh, and Nguyen Khuyen.
The restrictions applied to designated sections rather than the entire length of every road.
Police also warned that closure times could begin earlier or extend longer depending on crowd conditions.
Suggested parking areas in 2026 included:
- 27 Luong Khanh Thien.
- Ngo Quyen High School.
- Hai Phong Continuing Education Center.
- Ho Sen Sports Park.
Motorcycles were also directed to designated sidewalk parking areas near To Huu and Kim Dong gardens.
On festival evenings, parking outside the restricted zone and walking toward the Opera House is generally more convenient than attempting to drive directly to the performance area.
Parking near the North Cam River opening venue
Several free parking areas were arranged around North Cam River for the May 8, 2026, opening ceremony.
A separate parking plan for activities on May 6 also designated motorcycle areas along the sidewalks of East-West Avenue, with an estimated capacity of around 7,200 motorcycles.
Parking arrangements differed between event dates and visitor groups.
All of these were arrangements for 2026. The exact road closures, free parking sites, and traffic routes for 2027 will need to be checked after the city publishes its new traffic-management plan.
What is Hai Phong’s weather like in May?
May is the beginning of the hot, humid summer season in Hai Phong.
Strong midday sunshine can make extended walking uncomfortable, while afternoon or evening rain showers are increasingly common.
Historical climate data for central Hai Phong, based on ERA5 reanalysis for 2015-2024, gives the following monthly averages:
| Weather indicator | May average |
|---|---|
| Average daytime high | Around 32°C (90°F) |
| Average nighttime low | Around 26°C (79°F) |
| Monthly precipitation | Around 193 mm (7.6 inches) |
| April precipitation for comparison | Around 70 mm (2.8 inches) |
These are historical climate averages, not a weather forecast for May 2027.
A particular festival evening may be completely dry, while another could be affected by rain or thunderstorms.
Pack lightweight breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and a compact umbrella.
A thin rain poncho is also practical for evening performances, as most of the festival spaces are outdoors.
Mornings are the time to photograph streets with blooming trees. Midday is better spent resting, eating, or visiting indoor attractions, while late afternoon and evening are the most appealing times to return to the festival area.
How to get to Hai Phong
From Hanoi: try the train
The Hanoi-Hai Phong railway is particularly convenient for a short city break because Hai Phong Railway Station is close to the historic center.
The special Red Flamboyant tourist train, introduced in 2025, uses upgraded carriages designed to make the journey more comfortable for visitors.
The 2026 timetable had four pairs of regular daily trains on the Hanoi-Hai Phong route, with additional services on selected weekends.
Common train numbers included HP1/HP2, LP3/LP2, LP5/LP6, and LP7/LP8.
Selected departures included:
| Train | Departure | Station |
|---|---|---|
| HP1 | 6:00 AM | Hanoi |
| LP3 | 9:25 AM | Hanoi |
| LP5 | 3:15 PM | Hanoi |
| LP7 | 6:10 PM on weekends | Hanoi |
| LP7 | 6:21 PM on weekdays | Long Bien |
Journey times were typically around 2 hours 25 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes.
Indicative fares were approximately VND 120,000-198,000 one way for standard tickets and VND 300,000-385,000 for VIP carriages.
Actual fares depend on the travel date, seat class, availability, and any promotional pricing.
By car or bus
The Hanoi-Hai Phong Expressway is the main road route for travelers coming from the capital.
Private cars, coaches, and limousine-style minibuses are all practical options, especially for groups or families carrying luggage.
Travelers driving their own cars should identify hotel parking in advance. During major festival evenings, walking or using a ride-hailing service may be easier than trying to reach the Opera House area by car.
International visitors arriving through Cat Bi International Airport can take a taxi or app-booked car into central Hai Phong.
Landing at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport? Add the road journey to Hai Phong when timing an evening at the festival.
How many days should you spend at the Red Flamboyant Festival?
One evening is enough to experience the festival atmosphere around central Hai Phong, but a two-day, one-night visit gives you more time to explore the city comfortably.
You can photograph flamboyant flowers in the morning, enjoy local food, visit a museum, and spend the evening watching performances without rushing between places.
A trip that also includes Cat Ba or Ha Long Bay is more comfortable at three to four days.
Those who enjoy large crowds and spectacular stage productions may prefer the official opening night. Travelers more interested in photography, street food, and relaxed city walks might enjoy the smaller evening programs around the Opera House even more.
The main North Cam River venue and Hai Phong Opera House sit on opposite banks of the Cam River, so a hotel near one still means a ride to the other.
The festival period, the main opening ceremony, and the peak flamboyant flowering can land on different dates in the same year. Before finalizing a May 2027 trip, check the official event schedule and make sure your hotel is conveniently located for the particular celebrations you want to attend.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dates of the Hai Phong Red Flamboyant Festival 2027?
No official opening date has been announced yet. The city's liberation anniversary falls on Thursday, May 13, 2027. Based on the 2025 and 2026 editions, May 7-14 is a useful provisional period to consider, but it is not a confirmed schedule.
Is the opening ceremony free, and do you need tickets to watch the fireworks?
In 2026, the main grandstand was reserved for VIP guests, delegates, and people with tickets or official invitations. Other visitors could watch the program for free from designated public areas with LED screens. The 2027 seating plan comes with the festival program, which the city publishes a few weeks before opening night.
When is the best time to see red flamboyant flowers in Hai Phong?
The flowers generally begin blooming in early May, reach their most vivid period around mid-May, and can remain abundant into June. Popular photography locations include streets around Hai Phong Opera House, Tam Bac Lake, An Bien Lake, and established tree-lined roads throughout the city.
Are there road closures, and is accommodation difficult to find during the festival?
Temporary road closures and traffic restrictions are common around major festival venues. In 2026, several streets near the Opera House were restricted on selected evenings, while the North Cam River venue had separate parking arrangements. Accommodation can also become busy during May, so booking a room with flexible cancellation is a sensible approach.
Is May too hot or rainy for visiting Hai Phong?
May is hot and humid, with an average daytime high of about 32°C (90°F) and approximately 193 mm of monthly rainfall based on 2015-2024 climate data. The month is still suitable for exploring the city and nearby coastal destinations, although outdoor activities should be planned around actual weather forecasts.
