UN/LOCODE VNHPH · Vietnam
Haiphong is northern Vietnam's principal port — serving Hanoi and the Red River Delta industrial region. Shore leave is granted with a seaman's book under standard Vietnamese procedure. Welfare provision via local Vietnam seafarer welfare and Stella Maris Haiphong. Vietnam's processing is improving but slightly more bureaucratic than the major Asian hubs.
Haiphong port (HICT, Lach Huyen Terminal) is 30-40 minutes from Haiphong city centre by agent van. Hanoi is 100 km / 90 minutes by expressway.
ATMs: Vietcombank, BIDV, ANZ-Vietnam (foreign-card-friendly); 7-Eleven has limited presenceMoney changers: gold shops and licensed dealers in Hanoi; less common in HaiphongHospital: Viet Tiep Hospital Haiphong, Vinmec Haiphong (private)Prayer rooms: very limited Muslim community; Hanoi has the central mosqueHalal food: rare; bring snacksSupermarket: Big C, Coopmart, VinMart open 7am-10pmSIM card: Viettel, Vinaphone, MobiFone at airport or kiosks; ~VND150,000 for 30-day
Do: download Grab (Vietnam version); always negotiate taxi fares; carry cash in dong. Don't: photograph government buildings or military installations. Watch for: Vietnamese immigration takes documentation seriously; never overstay a shore pass. Communication can be a barrier outside hotels — Google Translate Vietnamese is genuinely useful.
Last verified: 2026-06-29