What is Do Son Beach like and is it worth visiting from Hai Phong?
Do Son Beach is 20km from Hai Phong (40 minutes). Long beach but water often murky from Red River sediment. Popular with locals on weekends. Has seafood restaurants and sunbed rentals. Honest: if Cat Ba is in your itinerary, skip Do Son — Cat Co beaches are cleaner with clearer water. Only visit if you have extra time or want local beach culture.
Do Son Beach is Hai Phong’s local beach getaway — but it’s important to set realistic expectations before visiting.
The beach
Do Son stretches along a long curving bay. The sand is coarse and brownish (typical of northern Vietnam beaches influenced by river sediment).
- Water clarity: Often murky, especially May-September when Red River sediment flows out.
- Water temperature: Warm year-round (20-28°C).
- Waves: Gentle, suitable for families with children.
- Crowds: Packed on weekends with Hai Phong locals; quieter on weekdays.
Facilities
The beachfront promenade has been developed with:
- Seafood restaurants: 10+ establishments serving fresh catch. Prices: 100,000-300,000 VND per person.
- Sunbed rental: 50,000-100,000 VND per day including umbrella.
- Public toilets: Available near restaurant clusters.
- Parking: Motorbike and car parking available (small fee).
Getting there
- Distance: 20km from central Hai Phong.
- Travel time: 40 minutes by car or motorbike.
- Transport options:
- Motorbike taxi (Grab or traditional): 300,000-400,000 VND round trip including waiting time.
- Private car: 500,000-700,000 VND round trip.
- No direct public bus from city center.
Honest assessment
Reasons to visit
- You have half a day to kill in Hai Phong.
- You want to see local beach culture (weekends only).
- You’re a beach completist visiting every coastal area.
- Cat Ba Island is not in your itinerary.
Reasons to skip
- You’ve been to central Vietnam beaches (Da Nang, Nha Trang).
- Cat Ba Island is already planned (better beaches there).
- You expect clear turquoise water.
- You’re only in Hai Phong for 1-2 days.
Comparison with Cat Ba beaches
| Factor | Do Son | Cat Ba (Cat Co 1, 2, 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity | Murky (sediment) | Clearer (open sea) |
| Sand quality | Coarse, brown | Finer, lighter |
| Crowds | Locals, weekends | Tourists, mixed |
| Facilities | Restaurants, sunbeds | More developed |
| Travel from HP | 40 minutes | 2.5 hours (ferry) |
| Verdict | Skip if short on time | Worth the trip |
The short version
What: Local beach 20km from Hai Phong, murky water, weekend crowds. Visit if: Extra time, curious about local culture, no Cat Ba plans. Skip if: Cat Ba in itinerary, expecting clear water, short on time. Honest take: Not worth a special trip; Cat Ba beaches are significantly better.