A train day with real food beats tours. This Hai Phong outing is built around the journey itself, with a round-trip Hanoi to Hai Phong train ride and a food-focused plan once you arrive, starting with a local market stop and ending back in Hanoi. You’ll also fit in some of the city’s most well-known sights, not just food counters.

I like two things most: first, the guidance during the train ride and city stops. Guides Bryan and Geni share stories that connect what you see in Vietnam with why it matters. Second, the food pacing works—crab soup for lunch, then Hai Phong snack classics like banh my que cột đèn, fermented pork rolls by Tam Bạc Lake, and crab noodle soup at the market.

One possible drawback: it’s a long day at about 13 hours, and the schedule leans heavily into seafood. If crab is a no-go for you, you’ll want to think carefully before booking.

Key highlights worth knowing

• Hanoi–Hai Phong by train: the route is part of the experience, not just a transfer.
• Lunch with a Hai Phong specialty: crab soup is built into the day.
• Du Hàng Pagoda stop: one of Hai Phong’s oldest pagodas with an included entrance.
• Classic snack sequence: banh my que cột đèn plus fermented pork rolls near Tâm Bạc Lake.
• Market time at Chợ Sắt or Chợ Cát Bi: eat and browse with a guide.
• French-colonial station architecture: you’ll see Ga Hải Phòng Railway Station up close before heading back.

Why the Hanoi–Hai Phong Train Makes This Worth It

Day trips often feel like a sprint with photos. This one is different because the train ride is scheduled as real time to look, ask questions, and absorb the vibe. You start in Hanoi, then head out to Long Biên station for the ride to Hai Phong, with the trip time folded into the total day.

That matters because Hai Phong doesn’t just feel like a destination—it feels like a place you reach the old-school way. And when you’re guided while you’re moving, the day feels less like checkpoints and more like a story with food chapters.

Also, the tour is designed for people who want structure. You get a plan that includes meals and entrance fees, plus a driver and a guide. That’s good value if you’d otherwise have to piece together transport, tickets, and food stops yourself.

Getting Started at Hanoi’s Opera House and Moving Toward Long Biên

The day begins near Hanoi Opera House (1 Tràng Tiền, Phan Chu Trinh, Hoàn Kiếm). From there, you travel toward Long Biên station for your train to Hai Phong. The tour includes travel time in the overall schedule, so you’re not doing mental math all day.

If you’re staying in or near the Old Quarter, pickup is offered, which saves you from arriving early on your own. In practice, that also keeps the day calmer. You spend more time ready to go—and less time hunting for the right street, platform, or taxi that may or may not show up on time.

One practical tip: because this is a long day, keep your essentials easy to reach—water bottle, a light layer, and any small meds you might need. Train days in Vietnam can be warm or cool depending on the season, and you’ll be out and walking intermittently.

Lunch in Hai Phong: Crab Soup at 195 Cầu Đất

Midday is anchored with lunch at 195 Cầu Đất, focused on crab soup, a Hai Phong specialty. This is a smart choice for a food tour because you get the signature dish before you scatter across temples, lakes, and markets.

Here’s why I like this approach: crab soup usually hits a nice balance between comfort and local identity. It’s not something you need to “decode” like some street foods. You’re also less likely to feel rushed, because lunch comes in a set block with the guide keeping the day flowing.

The only caution is obvious but worth stating: if you avoid seafood or crab, this part will be difficult. The rest of the tour includes other items (like banh my que and fermented pork rolls), but lunch itself is built around crab soup.

Du Hàng Pagoda: A Calm Cultural Reset

After lunch, the tour heads to Du Hàng Pagoda, one of the older pagodas in Hai Phong. You’ll spend about an hour here, with entrance included.

Pagoda time works well in the middle of a food day. Your senses get a break from the market noise, and you get context for local culture that food can’t always explain. A guided visit also helps you notice details you might otherwise skip—like layout choices and the way the space supports worship and community life.

What to expect: this stop is more about observation and learning than buying anything. Wear comfortable shoes, because even short visits can include uneven ground and stairs.

Banh My Que Cột Đèn: Quick Snack, Big Personality

Next comes a short stop for banh my que cột đèn, a famous Hai Phong snack made famous enough that it gets its own slot. You’ll have about 20 minutes here.

This is the type of food stop I find useful on a day trip. It doesn’t overload your stomach, and it gives you a taste of Hai Phong street-food style without turning the schedule into a long food crawl.

Because it’s a quick hit, plan to eat slowly and let the guide tell you what makes the dish a local go-to. Even when the portion is small, the point is to connect the flavor to the place and the routine.

Tâm Bạc Lake Walk and Fermented Pork Rolls

Then you shift to a more scenic pace with a walk beside Tâm Bạc Lake. During this hour, you’ll taste Vietnamese fermented pork rolls, described as having the typical flavor of Hai Phong.

This stop is smart because it breaks up the day. Markets and pagodas each have their own energy, but a lake walk gives your body a reset and gives your eyes somewhere to rest. It also helps you feel the city beyond food counters.

If you’re sensitive to strong flavors, fermented foods can be a curveball—but that’s also why they’re worth trying on a themed tour. The guide gives you the “why” behind local tastes, so you’re not just guessing.

Hai Phong Landmarks: Opera House, Le Chân Statue, and the Train Station Area

After the lake stop, you’ll spend time around major landmarks: the Hai Phong Opera House, the statue of female general Lê Chân, and the area near the Hai Phong Train Station. This part runs about two hours.

This is where the tour becomes more than a food itinerary. It helps you understand the city’s scale and design—how French-era influence, local pride, and civic spaces show up side by side. The statue of Lê Chân adds a strong local anchor, especially if you want your sightseeing to connect with people rather than just buildings.

Practical note: landmark time often means photo stops and some walking. Keep your camera ready, but also remember you’re going to market later, where you’ll want uncluttered hands and fewer bags.

Sat or Cát Bi Market: Chợ Sắt / Chợ Cát Bi Food Culture

Next up is the big sensory hit: the Sat or Cat Bi Market, either Chợ Sắt or Chợ Cát Bi. You’ll spend about three hours there, guided as you interact with vendors and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of local food culture.

I like market sections that are guided for one reason: you don’t just eat—you learn what to notice. A good guide helps you spot what locals buy, how stalls are arranged, and which foods are “everyday” versus special-occasion.

This is also where Bánh Đa Cua comes in—crab noodle soup, a traditional dish associated with Hai Phong. Since the market stop is long enough, you’re not stuck rushing through. You can browse first, then focus on eating when the moment feels right.

If you’re nervous about trying new foods, markets are easier with a guide. You get translation support and context for what you’re looking at, and you can decide at each stall rather than committing blindly.

Ga Hải Phòng Railway Station: The French-Colonial Backdrop for Your Return

Before you go back, the tour stops at Ga Hải Phòng Railway Station. Here, you’ll enjoy the architecture—built during the French colonial period—and then board the train back to Hanoi.

This is a nice closing scene because it ties the day together. You’re not just leaving the city; you’re leaving it through an old landmark that visually matches the “train day” theme.

Plan your photos but also plan your energy. The ride back takes about 2.5 hours, and once you’re back in Hanoi, the tour ends back at the meeting point. The pace is designed so you still get home without feeling like you’ve been abandoned in transit.

Time, Price, and What You Really Get for $69

The price is $69 per person, and the big value point is what’s included. You’re not paying separately for lunch, entrance fees, and guided tours, and you have air-conditioned vehicle support plus round-trip train time.

That inclusion matters because the biggest hidden cost in day trips is usually logistics. If you try to DIY this—train tickets, local transport, pagoda tickets, and guided food stops—it adds up fast, and the planning stress is real.

You’re also getting a structured food range:

• Crab soup lunch
• Banh my que cột đèn snack
• Fermented pork rolls by Tâm Bạc Lake
• Bánh Đa Cua at the market

And you’re getting both food culture and city context with landmark time and a pagoda visit. For the right traveler, that combo is the whole bargain: one day, meaningful stops, minimal guesswork.

Still, be honest about fit. If you want a short half-day, this isn’t it. If you hate seafood, it may not match your preferences as well.

Who This Hai Phong Train-and-Food Day Is For

This tour is a good match if you:

• want an easy, guided way to get from Hanoi to Hai Phong
• like food that has a clear regional identity
• enjoy learning alongside eating, not just tasting
• want to see main Hai Phong landmarks without doing heavy planning

It may be less ideal if you:

• dislike crab or seafood-based dishes
• prefer fully independent travel with no fixed schedule
• need a shorter outing and don’t want a long day

And because the tour requires good weather, it’s best to book when skies are likely to cooperate. If weather turns, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Should You Book This Tour or Skip It?

I’d book it if your goal is a single, well-fed day that combines Hai Phong’s food classics with a few key sights and a guided train ride. The set menu of tastes (crab soup, banh my que cột đèn, fermented pork rolls, and Bánh Đa Cua) is focused, and the inclusion of lunch and fees makes the price feel fair.

Skip it if seafood and crab dishes don’t work for you, or if you don’t want a 13-hour schedule with multiple stops and some walking. Otherwise, it’s a practical way to experience Hai Phong without getting lost in logistics.

FAQ

How long is the Hai Phong City Historical and Food Tour?

The tour runs for about 13 hours, and travel time is included in the total duration.

What is the price per person?

The price is $69.00 per person.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour.

Do I get picked up in Hanoi?

Pickup is offered, and you’ll start near Hanoi’s Opera House area. The tour returns you back to the meeting point.

What food stops are included in the tour?

You’ll have Hai Phong crab soup for lunch, plus banh my que cột đèn, fermented pork rolls by Tâm Bạc Lake, and Bánh Đa Cua (crab noodle soup) at the market.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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