HAI PHONG-the most attractions

Cat Ba, Do Son, and Trang Kenh are attractive tourist destinations on the weekend in the northern port city of Hai Phong.

Do Son: As one of the well-known beaches in the north of Vietnam, Do Son is a small peninsula formed by the stretch of Rong Mountain to the sea. Ranges of mountains and hills with forests of pine trees cover this lovely beach. In addition to that natural beauty, the human-made infrastructure here is admirable with restaurants, hotels, houses, roads and water supply as well as a perfect electricity supply system. 

The zigzag roads along the mountains and pine forests make the beach a rare beauty in the tropical region. It is considered “a tourist resort”, only 20 kilometers away from Hai Phong City and 123 kilometers from Hanoi. The sea resort town is composed of three zones, each having bathing beaches, and hills and forests. Around the hills are French-style constructions looking towards the sea. 
Since 1975, many large hotels and guesthouses have been set up over the town and Do Son has become a weekend sea resort for Vietnamese and foreigners. Immediately upon setting foot in Hai Phong, the French turned Do Son into a summer resort for their expatriate community and the Vietnamese upper class. On summer days, Do Son is alive with tourists from all over the world. They mainly come here to spend time on the beach, relax, and hike. From Do Son, tourists can conveniently sail to Cat Ba Island, to Ha Long Bay, to Dien Bien, Long Chau, and Hon Dat Island. If you visit Hai Phong, Do Son is a must-see place that should not be missed.

 Trang Kenh: A beautiful mountain landscape, Trang Kenh is also noted for its historical and archeological importance. The attraction belongs to Thuy Nguyen district, about 20 km from Hai Phong downtown and accessible by a rented motorbike or taxi ride. Among the famous mountain peaks in Trang Kenh complex is U Bo. A myth has it that at this peak, Tran Hung Dao – one of the most famous military legends in Vietnam – commanded the naval battle against the Chinese aggressors in the 13th century and successfully protecting the sovereignty of Vietnam. From U Bo Peak, visitors can capture the entire panorama of the Bach Dang River. The silence of the river, the immensity of the sea and the resonating mythical stories … all make this a fascinating place to visit. 

According to archaeologists, Trang Kenh was a jeweler’s workshop for as long as 4,000 years. As times progressed, the site was used for various purposes, including acting as a revolutionary base for Hai Phong civil and military forces during the struggle against the French colony. 
 Cat Ba - the pearl island is a well-known archipelago with a spectacular array of sea and island scenery. It covers an area of 20,000 ha in the Northeast of Hai Phong, making it the biggest island out of the 366 islands on the Lan Hạ Bay. It takes about one hour by high speed hydrofoil to go to the island, or by land about 60 kilometers passing two ferries. Right from the moment of setting foot on Cat Ba gangway, you will be carried away by the immense blue sky, sight of mountains and fresh salty air from the ocean. 

This natural dose of “massage” is likely to relieve all the dizziness from your long trip. If you are not on a package tour, make sure to call and reserve your hotel in advance, for the island accommodations are rather limited for visitors, especially during the summer. If you can, try to get one that faces the ocean and is near the mountain. Visiting the popular beaches of Cat Co and Cat Dua, tourists can enjoy the blue, warm water, so clear that you can see the golden sand beneath. If you prefer something more quiet and calm, you can hire a motorboat or kayak to sail to the small islets, where there Cat Trai Gai, Duong Gianh and Hien Hao beaches are located. The mountain adjacent to Cat Co Beach has a tunnel and several fascinating caves and grottoes, such as Hang Luon, Khe Sau, Trung Trang, Gia Luan and Kim Cuong. Unlike the well-lit caves of Ha Long Bay, visiting these caves and grottoes gives you a better feel of being an explorer or conqueror of natural wonder and mysteries.
 Coming out of the caves and grottoes in late afternoon, you will be thrilled by the sunset over Lan Ha Bay. Against the background of a golden horizon and the dark blue sea, the heaving islets become multiform, the white sea-gulls hover and sea-eagles make circles in the sky, an experience that you cannot afford to miss while on Cat Ba