Vietnam: Haiphong

Haiphong is the third largest city in Vietnam. It has none of Hanoi's frenzy. The center is very chill, with minimal shoppin. Most popular is just sitting with family and friends at old fashioned cafes. Since Haiphong is already a major port, and lacks tourist sites, very few tourists visit Haiphong. But John wanted to come here because Haiphong was a city often mentioned in the news during the Vietnam War.

We rode a daytime sleeper bus from Ha Giang to Haiphong. Relaxing. I bought a cold-coffee-in-a-can at the first rest stop (first below). We passed Hanoi to the north, and caught a glimpse of the skyline (4th below). Turns out we were also carrying livestock (5th below) underneaeth the bus.










Haiphong traffic is calm. The view from our GRAB taxi below.


Dinner. We were not very hungry, which turned out to be us both coming down with the flu or maybe COVID.


Performers in the park.


Walking around in the city center.




Along the waterfront.


Being a bit under the weather - OK, sick - we limited our exploration to the Haiphong city center, where the early 20th-century French Colonial Architecture is amazing. On our Sunday afternoon stroll, the locals were using those buildings as backdrops for photoshoots. First below and second below are the Post Office.


Haiphong Museum


Opera House




Other French Colonial buildings include the train station, water works, and a small pavilion in the park.






We spotted a mosque that did not appear to be operational.


Bonus street photo.