Hai Phong: The City of Heritage and Harbors – Where French Colonial Elegance Meets World-Class Coastal Luxury

Hai Phong: The City of Heritage and Harbors - Where French Colonial Elegance Meets World-Class Coastal Luxury

Known as the “City of Red Flamboyant Flowers,” Hai Phong is Northern Vietnam’s vibrant port city — a seamless blend of historical depth and natural beauty, and an elite gateway for golfers seeking authenticity and luxury.

I. The Jewels of the Archipelago

Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba Island

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the serene “hidden gem” alternative to Ha Long—emerald lagoons, secluded beaches, ideal for private yachting.

The World’s Highest Cable Car

A breathtaking aerial journey via the Cat Hai – Phu Long cable car: 360-degree views of karsts and floating villages.

II. Architectural & Cultural Heritage

The French Quarter

Wander preserved colonial architecture — the Hai Phong Opera House and Railway Station are magnificent testaments to the city’s storied past.

Bao Dai Villa

Perched atop a hill in Do Son, summer retreat of Vietnam’s last emperor — royal history with panoramic views of the Gulf of Tonkin.

The Elite Collection: Golf in Hai Phong

Hai Phong offers an unparalleled golf experience with its collection of world-class courses.

1. Vinpearl Golf Hai Phong – The Pinnacle of Challenge

Located on Vu Yen Island, this facility spans ~872 hectares with 36 holes, approximately 15 km (25-30 min) from Cat Bi Airport and 7 km (15 min) from the City Center.

Key Highlights:

  • Grand Scale: A massive eco-sanctuary with two entirely different golfing environments on one island.
  • Strategic Variety: Marshland rewards precision and tactical play; Lakeside offers breathtaking open vistas.
  • Elite Amenities: Exceptional 5-star service with a luxurious clubhouse and high-capacity facilities.

Considerations:

  • Island Access: Travel via a dedicated bridge or high-speed boat ferry.
  • Technical Demand: The Marshland layout is highly challenging and may intimidate novice players.

2. Dragon Golf Links – The Coastal Adventure

Situated at Dragon Ocean Do Son, this course covers ~130 hectares with 27 holes, about 22 km (35-40 min) from Cat Bi Airport and 22 km (40 min) from the City Center.

Key Highlights:

  • Architectural Marvel: A unique masterpiece built entirely on reclaimed land, offering rare 360-degree oceanic panoramas.
  • Authentic Links Experience: Undulating fairways and coastal winds challenge a golfer’s creative shot-making.
  • Pristine Turf: State-of-the-art grass varieties and meticulously maintained, high-speed greens.

Considerations:

  • Open Exposure: A contemporary coastal course intentionally open, with limited natural shade.
  • Environmental Factors: Spirited sea breezes require advanced ball-flight control and strategy.

3. BRG Ruby Tree Golf Resort – The Networking Choice

Located in Do Son, this resort features ~63 hectares and 18 holes, approximately 20 km (30-35 min) from Cat Bi Airport and 20 km (35 min) from the City Center.

Key Highlights:

  • Natural Harmony: Gracefully positioned between the Dragon Mountains and the Gulf of Tonkin.
  • Signature Design: Envisioned by Nicklaus Design — artistic bunkering blending the coastal environment.
  • Serene Atmosphere: A tranquil, refreshing pace of play ideal for leisure and networking.

Considerations:

  • Classic Charm: Maintains traditional, established elegance over a minimalist modern style.
  • Seasonal Vibrancy: Do Son sees heavy activity during peak summer tourism.

4. Sono Belle Hai Phong – The Stay & Play Retreat

Found in Song Gia, this course spans ~103 hectares with 27 holes, about 25 km (45-50 min) from Cat Bi Airport and 13 km (25-30 min) from the City Center.

Key Highlights:

  • Riverside Elegance: At the confluence of the Gia and Moc Rivers, a tranquil Mediterranean-inspired retreat.
  • Comprehensive Stay & Play: Award-winning resort facilities and serviced apartments for a seamless luxury stay.
  • Meticulous Landscaping: Renowned for its beautiful floral displays and impeccably manicured gardens.
Hai Phong: The City of Heritage and Harbors - Where French Colonial Elegance Meets World-Class Coastal Luxury - ảnh minh họa 1

Considerations:

  • Distance: The furthest venue from Cat Bi International Airport.
  • Gentle Terrain: A relatively forgiving layout for those seeking less technical resistance.

Executive Summary: The Best Golf Experience in Hai Phong

  • Vinpearl Golf Hai Phong: The Pinnacle of Challenge. For advanced golfers and tournaments. Hai Phong’s only 36-hole island facility — the Marshland Course demands extreme precision.
  • Dragon Golf Links: The Coastal Adventure. For trendsetters and scenery lovers. Built on reclaimed land with rare 360° ocean views — sea breezes deliver an exhilarating links experience.
  • BRG Ruby Tree Golf Resort: The Networking Choice. For business networking and social play. Poetic “mountain meets sea” scenery — sophisticated yet approachable, with a relaxing pace.
  • Sono Belle Hai Phong: The Stay & Play Retreat. For long stays, expatriates, and families. Mediterranean-style resort along the Gia River — luxury accommodations, manicured and serene.

Quick Decision Guide:

  • For Technical Challenge: Vinpearl Golf Hai Phong
  • For Oceanfront Novelty: Dragon Golf Links
  • For Social Networking: BRG Ruby Tree Golf Resort
  • For Integrated Luxury: Sono Belle Hai Phong

Beyond The Fairway: Exploring Hai Phong’s Treasures

1. Trang Kenh Relic Complex – Thuy Nguyen District

Set on the banks where the Bach Dang River meets the mountains, Trang Kenh unfolds as one of Northern Vietnam’s most evocative spiritual landscapes.

  • Heritage: Grand temples and contemplative monuments commemorate the legendary naval victories that shaped the nation — each pavilion steeped in centuries of history.
  • The Experience: An ideal cultural counterpoint to the fairway: a place to unwind and absorb the dramatic scenery where karsts rise from glassy waters.
  • Visitor Note: As a sacred site, modest dress and quiet behaviour are respectfully observed. Mornings bring the most contemplative atmosphere.

2. Cat Ba Island & Lan Ha Bay – Hai Phong

Where the limestone karsts of Northern Vietnam meet the open sea, Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay reveal a quieter, more intimate edge of paradise.

  • Lan Ha Bay: A serene mirror of Ha Long, with thousands of emerald islets, hidden coves, and floating fishing villages — perfect for private cruises, kayaking, and discovering secluded beaches.
  • Cat Ba Island: The largest of the bay’s islands, offering verdant national park trails, quiet beaches, and a more authentic island rhythm than its famous neighbour.
  • Proximity: Easily reached from Vu Yen Island by high-speed boat, or aboard the world’s longest sea-crossing cable car.

3. Do Son Heritage Coast – Hai Phong

Where royal nostalgia meets century-old maritime lore, Do Son’s coastline weaves heritage into every horizon.

  • Bao Dai Villa: Perched above the sea, the former summer residence of Vietnam’s last emperor — a graceful colonial pavilion offering commanding views across the Gulf of Tonkin and a quiet glimpse into the nation’s royal past.
  • Hon Dau Lighthouse: A short boat ride away, rising from its forested island — among the oldest and most storied beacons in Vietnam, still guiding mariners as it has for more than a century.
  • Proximity: An afternoon’s journey from the fairway, where Dragon Golf Links and BRG Ruby Tree open onto these timeless shores.

4. Hai Phong Old & New – City Tour

Where French colonial grace meets contemporary architectural ambition, the heart of Hai Phong unfolds in canary-yellow facades and luminous modern silhouettes.

  • The Colonial Quarter: Wandering the historic centre reveals canary-yellow facades, the iconic Train Station, and tree-lined boulevards strewn with flower beds.
  • The Opera House: Its opulent gilded interior — chandeliers, ornate ceilings, and crimson velvet — stands as Hai Phong’s most enduring symbol of belle-époque elegance.
  • Hoang Van Thu Bridge: The city’s new architectural icon — its sweeping “sea-bird wing” silhouette has become Hai Phong’s most photographed modern landmark, luminous at sunset.

5. Tuyet Tinh Coc – The Azure Lake · Thuy Nguyen

Among the limestone hills of Thuy Nguyen, a single, almost surreal vision — water of crystalline blue beneath bone-white karsts.

  • The Azure Waters: A lake of impossibly luminous blue, cradled by jagged white limestone — the colours shift through cobalt, jade, and turquoise as the day moves overhead.
  • The Setting: White karsts rise from the water like a stone cathedral — one of Northern Vietnam’s most ethereal natural compositions, and a quiet favourite among photographers.
  • Visitor Note: Mornings bring the stillest reflections; sturdy footwear is recommended for the rocky path down to the water’s edge.

6. Cat Ba National Park – Ngu Lam Peak · Hai Phong

Beyond the bay’s edge, Cat Ba’s UNESCO biosphere reveals primary forest, hidden lakes, and the contemplative panorama from Ngu Lam Peak.

  • The Biosphere: A UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of primary forest, karst caves, hidden lakes, and a marine sanctuary — Cat Ba’s wild heart, protected and quiet.
  • Ngu Lam Peak: A light trek through bamboo and limestone leads to a summit view of endless karsts dissolving into jungle and sky.
  • Visitor Note: Best in the cooler dry season (October to April); a local guide enriches both the trek and the silence at the top.

7. Cat Hai Sea Dyke – The Infinite Path · Hai Phong

Where land yields to open ocean, the Cat Hai Sea Dyke unfolds as a quiet ten-kilometre walk into the horizon — meditative, elemental, unforgettable.

  • The Path: Vietnam’s longest sea dyke, stretching more than ten kilometres into the open ocean — a stone causeway that seems to dissolve into sky and water.
  • Sunset Hour: At low tide and golden hour, the dyke becomes one of the region’s most spectacular vantage points — sky, sea, and stone in quiet conversation.
  • Visitor Note: Best at low tide and late afternoon; sturdy footwear and respect for the open sea are recommended.