Looking for a new and easy day trip from Hanoi that’s both relaxing and full of flavor? The Hanoi to Hai Phong Luxury Train & Unmissable Hai Phong Food Tour might be just what you need.

Launched in May 2025, the new luxury train offers a stylish and comfortable way to reach Vietnam’s most underrated food city. With sophisticated interiors, rotating seats, and even onboard musicians, the train makes the 102-km journey feel like part of the adventure.

Once you arrive, Hai Phong welcomes you with wide colonial boulevards and some of the best street food in northern Vietnam. This city isn’t as well-known as Hanoi or Hoi An, but if you love to eat like a local, it’s one of the most rewarding places to explore. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to enjoy a day trip (or more) with train schedules, food tips, and a suggested itinerary.

The New Luxury Train from Hanoi to Hai Phong

On May 13, 2025, Vietnam Railways launched a luxury train called “Hoa Phượng Đỏ.” The name means "Red Phoenix Flower" (or Delonix Regia Flower), which is a symbol of Hai Phong, especially during summer when the trees bloom across the city. The train was introduced to mark the 70th anniversary of Hai Phong Liberation Day, and it brings something fresh to a route that many locals and tourists already use.

This luxury train is a major upgrade from the usual options. It focuses on comfort, style, and a better travel experience. If you're planning a day trip or a weekend in Hai Phong, this train is now one of the best ways to get there.

Train schedule

The train runs daily in both directions. From Hanoi Station, you have two departure options:

• LP3 departs at 9:20 AM and arrives in Hai Phong at 12:00 PM

• LP5 departs at 3:15 PM and arrives in Hai Phong at 6:00 PM

From Hai Phong, the return options are:

• LP2 departs at 6:10 AM and arrives in Hanoi at 8:49 AM

• LP6 departs at 9:10 AM and arrives in Hanoi at 11:52 AM

Each trip takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes. The full route is 102 kilometers long. It’s not the fastest way, but it’s a relaxed and scenic ride. We think this is a great choice for people who don’t want to deal with traffic or cramped buses.

What it's like onboard

The train has several types of carriages, but the real highlight is the VIP section. These cars include 16 single sofas and 5 long sofas, arranged in three separate lounges. The seating is wide and spaced out. There's plenty of room to stretch your legs or rest. The floors are made of real wood, and the entire carriage has a clean, high-end look. There’s also free Wi-Fi, a bar, and even live music during some trips. This kind of setup is rare for train travel in Vietnam.

The rest of the carriages aren’t as fancy but are still comfortable. There are 56 rotating seats per car, and you can turn them to face the windows for better views. These cars use thick plastic flooring and simple interiors, but they feel new and well-maintained.

Outside, the train is painted in blue and red. Inside, the design follows a classic Indochine style, with warm colors and wood elements that make the space feel inviting. The train walls also have sea wave patterns that represent Hai Phong as a port city. Overall, the train feels more like a lounge than a public train.

Ticket prices

Prices are higher than normal trains or buses, but still very reasonable:

VIP class:

250,000 VND on weekdays

300,000 VND on weekends

First-class: 150,000–180,000 VND depending on the day

Economy class: 105,000–130,000 VND

You can buy tickets at the Hanoi or Hai Phong train stations or online through Vietnam Railways. Booking ahead is a good idea, especially for weekends. The VIP section only has limited seats, and they can sell out fast.

Why Take the Train?

If you’re still unsure whether to take the luxury train from Hanoi to Hai Phong, let us tell you why it’s worth trying.

Comfort

The VIP cars give you space to relax, soft lighting, and quiet surroundings. You can sit back with a coffee, watch the countryside pass by, and arrive refreshed.

We’ve taken both buses and regular trains on this route before. Buses can be faster, but the roads are often busy. Regular trains are cheaper, but they feel outdated and crowded. The new luxury train is a big improvement. If you enjoy a peaceful ride with decent service, this is the best option right now.

Nice views

The train route goes through some nice countryside, especially just outside Hanoi and near Hai Phong. You’ll see rice fields, small towns, and locals going about their day. The rotating seats in the standard cars let you face the windows for better views. If you’re visiting Vietnam for the first time, the journey gives you a good look at rural life between two busy cities.

Slow travel

Traveling by train lets you avoid the stress of driving or rushing through an airport. You don’t need to arrive hours early. There’s no check-in line or long security check. Just come 15–20 minutes before departure and get on board.

This makes it a great choice for weekend getaways or short trips. You leave in the morning, eat lunch in Hai Phong, explore the city, and return the same evening or the next day.

Eco-friendly option

If you're thinking about sustainability, the train is also a greener way to travel. Trains produce fewer emissions than cars or planes. So you're not just traveling more comfortably, you're also helping reduce your footprint a little.

Arriving in Hai Phong: What to Expect

When you get off the train in Hai Phong, things feel different right away. The pace is slower, and the air feels fresher, especially near the port. You’ll notice wide streets, old colonial buildings, and trees lined with red flamboyant flowers in summer.

A charming port city

Hai Phong doesn’t try to impress like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. It has its own charm. The city feels a bit industrial at first, but if you walk around, you’ll see signs of its history. There’s French architecture, old temples, and wide boulevards. It’s not as loud or chaotic as Hanoi or HCMC, and you won’t see many tourists.

We like this about Hai Phong. It feels real. Locals are friendly, and everything moves at a more relaxed pace.

Easy access from the station

One of the best things is how close everything is. From the train station, you can walk or take a short taxi ride to most of the food streets and markets. If you're here for a Hai Phong food tour, you won’t need to travel far.

The station is also only about 30–40 minutes from the ferry to Cat Ba Island, if you’re thinking about combining your trip with a beach break.

The food

Hai Phong is known across Vietnam for its food. People from Hanoi often come here just to eat. The dishes are simple but packed with flavor. Many of them use fresh seafood, spicy sauces, and ingredients you won’t always find in other cities.

It’s also one of those places where the best food is sold on the street or in family-run shops. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to eat well here. You just need to know where to go.

Hai Phong Food Tour: Must-Try Dishes

If you take the luxury train to Hai Phong, you absolutely need to stay for the food. Locals are proud of their cuisine, and there’s a reason. Dishes are flavorful, seafood is fresh, and everything feels homemade. Below are some dishes you should try and where to find them.

Nem Cua Bể (Crab Spring Rolls)

This is one of Hai Phong’s signature dishes. The rolls are big and square, stuffed with crab meat, pork, mushrooms, and noodles, then deep-fried until golden and crispy. You dip them in a sweet, tangy fish sauce.

Where to try it: Quán Bà Cụ, 179 Cau Dat Street, Ngo Quyen District

Bánh Mì Que (Chili Breadsticks)

These are small, crispy tiny baguettes filled with pork pâté and chili sauce. Locals grab a bunch of them for breakfast or snacks. They're simple but addicting.

Where to try it: Bánh Mì Cay Bà Già, 57 Le Loi Street, Ngo Quyen District

Bánh Đúc Tàu (Savory Rice Cake)

This savory dish is served hot in a bowl. It’s made from soft rice flour cake topped with fried pork and shrimp and cubed pickled papaya, then covered in spicy and tangy fish sauce. You can also ask the vendor to make it less or not spicy.

Where to try it: Bánh đúc tàu Cát Dài Cô Chuyền, 159 Hai Ba Trung Street, Le Chan.

Nem Chua An Thọ (Fermented Pork Rolls)

This version of fermented pork is unique to An Thọ village in Hai Phong. It’s wrapped in guava leaves and has a slightly sour, spicy taste. Locals eat it as a snack or with beer.

Where to buy it: Nem Chua Bà Cụ - Chợ Đổ, 167 Phan Boi Chau Street, Hong Bang District

Dừa Dầm Hải Phòng (Coconut Dessert)

This dessert is made from shredded coconut, coconut jelly, and coconut milk. It’s cold, sweet, and perfect for hot days.

Where to try it: Dừa Dầm Hiền Béo, 124 Lach Tray Street, Ngo Quyen District

Chả Chìa Hạ Lũng (Grilled Pork and Shrimp Paste Rolls)

These grilled rolls are made from ground squid and pork wrapped around sugarcane sticks. They’re juicy, smoky, and usually served with vermicelli, herbs, and dipping sauce.

Where to try it: Chả Chìa Hạ Lũng Bác Hoạt, 130 Cho Lung, Hai An District

Nộm Sứa Đỏ (Red Jellyfish Salad)

This dish is a must-try if you come during the warmer months (usually March to July). The red jellyfish is crunchy and served with herbs, tofu, and shrimp paste. It’s a light and refreshing dish.

Where to try it: Cat Bi Market, Hai An or at Mrs Nguyen Kim Oanh’s (42 Tran Nhat Duat)

Bánh Đa Cua (Hai Phong Crab Noodle Soup)

This is probably the most famous dish from Hai Phong. It’s a bowl of thick rice noodles with crab broth, tomatoes, fried tofu, fish cake, and morning glory. The flavor is rich and deep.

Where to try it: Quán Bà Cụ, 179 Cau Dat Street, Ngo Quyen District

Bánh Bèo Hải Phòng (Water Fern Cakes)

Hai Phong’s version of this central Vietnamese dish is a combination of Hanoi’s bánh giò and bánh cuốn. It’s steamed rice flour dough wrapped in banana leaves, with a minced pork and mushroom filling and crispy shallots on top. It’s soft, savory, and served with dipping sauce on the side.

Where to try it: Quán Bà Dung, 41 Le Dai Hanh Street, Hong Bang District

Bún Cá Cay (Spicy Fish Noodle Soup)

This is a local favorite. The soup is spicy, sour, and slightly sweet, made with deep-fried fish pieces and pickled bamboo shoots.

Where to try it: Bún Cá Cay, 153 Le Lai Street, Ngo Quyen District

Luxury Train + Hai Phong Food Tour

Here’s how you can plan a full day trip using the new luxury train from Hanoi to Hai Phong. This itinerary gives you enough time to enjoy the food without rushing. You’ll also see a bit of Hai Phong’s culture and daily life.

Morning

• Depart from Hanoi Station at 9:20 AM on the LP3 luxury train.

• Arrive in Hai Phong around 12:00 noon.

• Take a short taxi ride to Cau Dat Street for your first food stop.

• Try bánh đa cua and nem cua bể for lunch.

Afternoon

• Visit Du Hang Pagoda, a peaceful spot with historic wooden structures and statues.

• Walk along Lach Tray Street to snack on bánh mì que, dừa dầm, and nộm sứa đỏ.

• Stop for bánh đúc tàu at Cat Dai Market if it’s still open.

• If you have time, take a walk around the colonial quarter or enjoy a drink at a riverside café.

Evening

• Head to Le Lai Street to try bún cá cay.

• End your food crawl with bánh bèo and nem chua An Thọ.

• If you're tired, stay overnight at a small hotel or homestay in the city.

• Return to Hanoi the next morning on the LP2 or LP6 train.

Travel Tips: If you’re planning to take the luxury train from Hanoi to Hai Phong and do a food tour, here are some useful tips to help make the most of your day.

Best days to go

Hai Phong isn’t packed with tourists, even on weekends, but local eateries can get busier during lunch hours, especially on Sundays. Weekdays are quieter, and train ticket prices are lower too. If you want to avoid crowds and save some money, aim for a Tuesday or Wednesday trip.

What to bring

• Camera or phone with a good battery:You’ll want to capture the food, train, and old streets.

• Cash: Most food stalls and small restaurants don’t accept cards.

• Loose clothes: You’ll eat a lot, and Hai Phong is usually warm and humid.

• Comfortable shoes: You’ll be walking between food spots, pagodas, and street corners.

• Tissues and hand sanitizer: Useful at small street food stalls.

• Reusable water bottle: You can refill it at cafés or ask for iced tea (“trà đá”) at eateries.

Combine with a trip to Cat Ba Island

If you’re already going to Hai Phong, consider staying overnight and heading to Cat Ba Island the next day. It’s only 40 km away, and you can get there by speedboat or ferry. Bến Bính pier in the city center has boats running regularly, especially in the morning.

Cat Ba is worth visiting for its beaches, hikes in the national park, and peaceful bays. It’s a good contrast to the food-focused city trip and can turn your one-day adventure into a relaxed two- or three-day escape.

You can take the luxury train to Hai Phong, spend the day eating, sleep overnight, then take a morning boat to Cat Ba. When you return, catch the afternoon or evening train back to Hanoi.

Final Thoughts

The Hanoi to Hai Phong Luxury Train & Unmissable Hai Phong Food Tour is a trip that’s easy to plan but hard to forget. The train ride is smooth, scenic, and surprisingly affordable for what it offers. Once you get off at Hai Phong Station, the food scene starts just a few steps away.

We think this experience deserves a spot on your Vietnam itinerary. It’s not touristy, it’s not rushed, and it gives you something real. If you’re ready to book your luxury train and Hai Phong food tour, feel free to reach out to our team—we’re happy to help you make it happen.

>>> Top 7 Best Day Trips from Hanoi and Overnight Options