Hai Phong city centre or Do Son: where should you stay?

If it’s your first time in Hai Phong and you’d like to explore on foot, the Old Quarter around the Opera House or Tam Bac Lake is the easiest base. Prefer a larger hotel, comfortable facilities and plenty of dinner options? Lach Tray and Van Cao are worth considering. Do Son, Cat Bi Airport, Thuy Nguyen and the former Hai Duong area make more sense when your itinerary is focused on those particular places.

Which area of Hai Phong is best to stay in?

In Hai Phong, two properties advertised as "city centre hotels" might be quite far apart. One could be on a historic street where you can step outside and find somewhere to eat. Another might be a large hotel in a modern residential development, with spacious rooms but a taxi ride between you and the Opera House.

On a short visit, work out where you’ll spend your time before looking at hotel photos. These are the six main areas.

These are approximate nightly budgets per room, not guaranteed hotel rates. Actual prices depend on the property, room category, number of guests, travel dates, breakfast and applicable taxes or service charges.

Hai Phong’s administrative boundaries and ward names changed on July 1, 2025. Some booking websites may still use older district names such as Hong Bang, Ngo Quyen, Le Chan or Hai An. When choosing accommodation, check the exact location on a map rather than relying only on the district or ward name.

1. The Old Quarter around the Opera House and Tam Bac Lake: best for first-time visitors

In Hai Phong’s historic centre, dinner is a short walk from your hotel, with no ride to arrange and no traffic to check.

To stay in central Hai Phong, start looking around the Opera House, Tran Hung Dao Street, Quang Trung Street, Dien Bien Phu Street, Tam Bac Lake and the streets connecting to the central flower gardens.

This part of the city shows everyday life in Hai Phong up close. During the day, you can stop by the Opera House, wander past older buildings and settle into a coffee shop. In the evening, walk a few streets and you’ll find local favourites such as banh da cua (red rice noodle soup with crab), fish noodle soup and Hai Phong’s tiny, crispy banh mi cay sandwiches.

This neighbourhood works without a fixed itinerary. On a one-night stay, being able to wander outside whenever you like is worth more than a larger hotel room farther away.

The Opera House and Tam Bac area now falls within Hong Bang Ward. Some hotels along Tran Phu Street, closer to Hai Phong Railway Station, are in Gia Vien Ward. Both locations can still work well for exploring the historic centre.

Photo: Bambusser

What kind of accommodation can you find?

There are options for different budgets:

• Small guesthouses and homestays: around VND 300,000-600,000 per night, suitable for solo travellers and budget-conscious couples.
• Mid-range hotels: allow approximately VND 600,000-1,200,000 per night.
• Upscale hotels: generally from around VND 2 million per night, depending on the date and room category.

One notable property is Pullman Hai Phong Grand Hotel at 12 Tran Phu Street, Gia Vien Ward, close to Hai Phong Railway Station and conveniently located for exploring the city centre.

Sheraton Hai Phong and Meliá Vinpearl Hai Phong Rivera may pop up while you search for hotels in Hong Bang, so check their locations carefully. Meliá Vinpearl Hai Phong Rivera is located on Manhattan 9 Street in Vinhomes Imperia, beside the Cam River. It isn’t right next to the Opera House. Hotels in these newer developments are a good choice if you value spacious surroundings and facilities, but they’re less convenient if you plan to walk around the Old Quarter throughout the day.

2. Lach Tray - Van Cao: best for comfortable hotels and easy dining

If being within walking distance of the Opera House isn’t essential, the Lach Tray - Van Cao area makes a comfortable alternative.

Van Cao is known for its restaurants, dining options and services catering to both Vietnamese residents and international visitors. It suits a business trip with a little sightseeing on the side, or when travelling with family and wanting plenty of places to eat close to the hotel.

You’ll find international-standard hotels, serviced apartments and smaller accommodation along the surrounding streets. Compared with some properties in the historic centre, hotels here may offer more space, better work facilities and additional amenities.

Two useful landmarks when searching are Mercure Hai Phong and Hotel Nikko Hai Phong.

Mercure Hai Phong

Mercure Hai Phong is located at 12 Lach Tray Street, Le Chan Ward. It’s a good option for travellers who want to stay relatively close to the central city while enjoying the facilities of an established international hotel.

Hotel Nikko Hai Phong

Hotel Nikko Hai Phong is in Waterfront City, Le Chan Ward, overlooking the Lach Tray River.

The hotel has 250 rooms and is approximately a 10-minute drive from Cat Bi Airport and five minutes from the Van Cao dining area under favourable traffic conditions.

Families with children planning a day at VinWonders Vu Yen can look at it too.

For example, Hotel Nikko’s Rest & Revel Package 2026 includes a Deluxe room for one night, breakfast and family attraction tickets, with published starting prices of:

• VND 3,000,000 for the water park package.
• VND 3,400,000 for the amusement park package.
• VND 3,700,000 for the combined package.

The rates include a 5% service charge and VAT, with the booking and stay period running from April 1 to December 31, 2026.

The standard family arrangement covers two adults and one child under six years old and under one metre tall, sharing the existing bed. Older or taller children, or those requiring an extra bed, may incur additional charges. Advance payment and restrictive cancellation conditions also apply, so read the booking terms carefully.

Across Lach Tray and Van Cao more generally, smaller hotels and serviced apartments may start from approximately VND 500,000 per night. High-end hotels often require a budget of VND 2 million or more per night.

3. Near Cat Bi Airport: worth it mainly for very early flights

Unless your flight is particularly early or late, a city hotel is close enough to Cat Bi.

Cat Bi International Airport is in Hai An Ward, roughly 9-10 km by road from central Hai Phong, depending on your starting point.

Hotels around Lach Tray and Van Cao also provide relatively convenient road access to the airport.

With two nights in the city and a daytime departure, stay somewhere with good food and interesting streets nearby, then book airport transport for the right time.

On the other hand, a hotel near Cat Bi Airport makes sense if you’re catching a very early flight, arriving late at night or simply stopping over between journeys.

The former Cat Bi, Dang Lam and Dang Hai neighbourhoods, now part of Hai An Ward, have smaller hotels and serviced apartments.

As a rough guide, standard rooms may cost around VND 350,000-800,000 per night, while more spacious or better-equipped properties can fall in the VND 800,000-1,200,000 range.

A few practical details matter before you book: a 24-hour reception desk, help arranging an early taxi, quiet rooms and a clearly stated late check-in policy. A listing that says "near the airport" still needs a look at the actual road route on the map.

Photo: HP1992

4. Do Son: should you stay by the beach or visit on a day trip?

Do Son is approximately 20 km from central Hai Phong, usually around 20-30 minutes by car when traffic is light.

That’s close enough for an easy day trip, but far enough to make an overnight stay feel like a separate little getaway.

Mainly want to see the coast, eat seafood and visit a few attractions? Your city hotel works fine as a base. You can visit Do Son for part of a day or spend a full day there.

For a slower morning, a relaxed breakfast and the beach without worrying about the return journey, stay one night.

Zone 1, Zone 2 or Zone 3: where should you stay?

Zone 1 has coastal scenery, small hotels and restaurants. Parts of the shore are rocky and the waves can be strong, so it isn’t the best area for swimming. It’s more suitable for seaside walks, views and a quieter atmosphere.

Zone 2 is the most practical choice for most beach visitors. The shore is wider and more gently sloping, with plenty of restaurants and accommodation ranging from budget hotels to mid-range properties. It’s also one of the busiest areas during summer.

Zone 3 has a more secluded feel, with resorts and access towards the Hon Dau area. The wider Do Son destination also includes the Dragon Ocean (Doi Rong) tourism development, which offers additional recreational facilities for families.

Do Son’s seawater often looks brownish or cloudy because of sediment, not the turquoise water and white sand some travellers picture for Vietnamese beaches. In return, it has a distinctive coastal peninsula, wooded hills, seaside roads and the atmosphere of a long-established local holiday destination.

How much do hotels in Do Son cost?

Approximate accommodation budgets include:

• Resorts: Do Son Resort, Hon Dau Resort and Dragon Ocean area properties, around VND 1.5-4 million per night.
• Mid-range hotels: properties such as BIDV Do Son, Hai Au, The Muse, Quang Minh and Hoang Lam, around VND 500,000-1 million per night.
• Budget guesthouses: from approximately VND 200,000 per night, particularly around Zones 1 and 2.

During summer weekends and public holidays, book ahead, especially if you want a sea-view room or accommodation close to the main beach.

In 2026, local authorities in Do Son introduced stronger measures to supervise hotels, restaurants and beach services and address tourist harassment and overcharging.

Even so, ask for written confirmation of the full room price, weekend and holiday surcharges, children’s fees, breakfast arrangements and charges for using resort facilities.

5. Thuy Nguyen - Vu Yen: convenient for business and planned activities

Another area worth considering is north of the Cam River, particularly if you’re visiting the Hai Phong Political-Administrative Centre or attending an event in Thuy Nguyen.

Since the city’s Political-Administrative Centre moved to the Bac Song Cam urban area, this side of the river has become increasingly relevant for business trips, conferences and administrative activities.

If most of your appointments are in Thuy Nguyen, staying north of the river could save you from crossing back and forth each day. You can look for local hotels, guesthouses or serviced apartments around Nui Deo and the roads connecting to the administrative centre.

Budget roughly VND 400,000 per night for basic accommodation and more for larger apartments or hotels with additional amenities. Standards vary considerably between properties, so recent guest photos and reviews are particularly helpful.

What if you’re visiting VinWonders Vu Yen?

Even with VinWonders Vu Yen as the main purpose of your visit, a comfortable hotel in central Hai Phong or around Lach Tray works well, especially if you also want to explore the city and eat out in the evenings.

Bus route 03 was adjusted in 2025 to connect the Political-Administrative Centre in Thuy Nguyen with Do Son via the older urban area. VinBus HP2 also operates a free route connecting Minh Duc through Thuy Nguyen to Vincom Royal Island in Vu Yen under its service arrangement introduced on November 15, 2025.

Picking a hotel just for a bus route can backfire, particularly when travelling with young children or several suitcases. Check the current schedule and the distance between the stop and your accommodation.

6. The former Hai Duong area: best for Con Son, Kiep Bac and Chi Linh

Since Hai Duong and Hai Phong were merged in July 2025, hotels in the former Hai Duong urban area can now also appear under Hai Phong addresses on booking websites.

A hotel advertised as being in Hai Phong may be quite far from the Opera House, Cat Bi Airport and the traditional port city.

The former Hai Duong centre lies well to the west of central Hai Phong, so it makes sense to stay here primarily when your travel plans are focused on that region.

For instance, if you’re planning to visit Con Son - Kiep Bac, explore Chi Linh or play golf the following day, staying in the former Hai Duong area may be much more practical than returning to central Hai Phong.

Around Hai Duong Ward and nearby neighbourhoods, accommodation options include hotels such as Nam Cuong, Sen Tim and Kim Bao, alongside smaller local properties.

For hotels offering a good range of services, allow approximately VND 1 million per night or more. Simpler rooms may be available for around VND 200,000-500,000.

A property listed under a Mandala or Wyndham name still needs checking: verify the exact address and current operating status before booking.

7. When should you book hotels in Hai Phong early?

On ordinary weekdays outside the peak beach season, finding accommodation in Hai Phong is usually easier. Late April and May are a different story.

During the holiday period from April 25 to May 3, 2026, the city recorded an average hotel occupancy rate of approximately 70%. On peak days, many hotels in the inner-city area, Do Son and Cat Ba reached full occupancy.

May is also the month of the Red Flamboyant Festival, a major celebration associated with Hai Phong Liberation Day on May 13.

In 2026, the official festival opening took place on the evening of May 8 at the Political-Administrative Centre Square in Thuy Nguyen. Events around the Opera House and central flower gardens ran from May 7 to May 13.

The opening ceremony isn’t fixed to May 13, so in future years check the announced festival programme.

Other dates worth planning around include summer weekends, the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival, major sporting events and large conferences.

During a national holiday, it pays to reserve accommodation several weeks ahead. For family rooms, upscale hotels or beachfront resorts on the busiest dates, booking even earlier is sensible once your travel dates are confirmed.

Before paying, check three things: whether the booking is refundable, whether taxes and service charges are included, and whether weekend or holiday surcharges apply. A room that initially looks cheaper by a few hundred thousand dong may turn out to exclude breakfast or come with a strict non-refundable policy.

8. What do foreign visitors need to check into a hotel in Hai Phong?

Hotel check-in procedures in Hai Phong are generally similar to those elsewhere in Vietnam.

You’ll need to bring your valid original passport and any relevant documentation relating to your immigration or residence status, if requested, such as a visa or temporary residence card. At check-in, the receptionist will verify your identity, confirm the booking and register your stay.

Under Vietnamese regulations, accommodation providers are responsible for declaring the temporary residence of foreign guests through the person directly managing or operating the property.

This requirement covers hotels, homestays, apartments and rented accommodation hosting foreign visitors overnight.

Temporary residence declarations can be submitted electronically through the Vietnam Ministry of Public Security’s system. Where a paper declaration is used, the accommodation manager must submit it within 12 hours of the guest’s arrival, or within 24 hours in designated remote areas, as provided by law.

For homestays or apartments offering self-check-in, international guests should confirm in advance that the host accepts foreign travellers and can complete the mandatory temporary residence declaration.

Save the booking confirmation, the accommodation’s phone number and its Vietnamese address on your phone before arrival, too. They come in handy after a late flight, especially if your mobile data isn’t working yet or your driver needs help finding the right entrance.

9. Final thoughts: where should you stay for 1-3 nights in Hai Phong?

For one night, the Old Quarter around the Opera House or Tam Bac Lake is the easy pick. You can spend the evening enjoying Hai Phong without losing too much time travelling across town.

Two nights give you two good choices: the Opera House area or Lach Tray - Van Cao. You can spend one day exploring the city and another visiting Do Son or nearby attractions.

For three nights, splitting your accommodation can make sense if you have two very different plans, such as two nights in the city followed by one night at a Do Son resort. Otherwise, staying in one hotel is usually easier than repeatedly packing and moving your luggage.

Early flyers, business travellers with meetings in Thuy Nguyen and anyone focused on Con Son - Kiep Bac should choose accommodation close to whichever activity matters most.