Top 10 Cultural and Historical Landmarks of Hai Phong City

One of the most iconic spots in Hai Phong, especially popular with international tourists, is the Quan Hoa located in the city center. This charming establishment is not only a historical symbol but also holds cultural significance in the lives of the locals. The question often arises as to why it is called Quan Hoa and not simply a flower market or flower shop. The answer lies in the cultural essence it represents. The Quan Hoa is a traditional venue for selling flowers during festivals and cultural performances, particularly those held at the Hai Phong Opera House (now the City Theatre).

Quan Hoa was built by the French in 1944 during the colonial period. The design was led by Director Luyxiani, with artistic design by Chief Architect Gôchiê. Despite its French colonial origins, the Quan Hoa retains traditional Vietnamese architectural features, particularly its four large pillars, which create a sense of balance, and its simple “chồng rường” roof structure. The roof's ridge is shaped like a four-petaled flower, extending in all four cardinal directions. The entire structure is topped with dragon scale tiles. The five Quan Hoa pavilions each measure about 20m2 in area, standing nearly 4 meters high, spaced 6 meters apart across a 300m2 plot. The primary material used for construction is ironwood, known for its resistance to termites, and despite nearly 60 years of age, the structure remains intact.

Today, the Quan Hoa is a bustling hub for flower sales, offering a wide variety of colorful blooms. Some flowers are sourced from Lũng, a famous flower village on the outskirts of Hai Phong, while others come from Dalat or even abroad, including China and the Netherlands. One thing remains unchanged—the five Quan Hoa pavilions continue to be a top destination for flower lovers and those who appreciate beauty.

For those who were born and raised in Hai Phong, the Windmill House located within the Nguyen Du Flower Garden is undoubtedly a familiar landmark. Built by the French, it was later recognized as one of Vietnam's top ten 'Bát Quái' structures, ranking alongside the Octagonal Pavilion at the Temple of Literature, Thiên Mụ Pagoda, and the Phan Thiet Water Tower. The Windmill House was designed as a circular structure with eight columns radiating in eight directions. Its roof, tiled in bright red, and its shape resemble a traditional Vietnamese village temple, surrounded by a small grassy garden that creates a serene and open space. The two-tiered conical roof design symbolized continuous upward progress. Although there were no doors, the unique architecture of the Windmill House ensured that sound reverberated widely, spreading for great distances.

In 1960, the Windmill House was demolished to make way for the current Grand Theatre Square. Since then, the name 'Windmill House' has rarely been mentioned. However, it has made a comeback as a unique cultural landmark. Now, it serves as a public cultural gathering spot every weekend in the city. Though no longer a venue exclusively for wind instrument musicians, the Windmill House is now a place for various art forms, including folk singing, Cheo opera, and dance, facilitated by the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Every weekend, despite the short duration of performances (only one hour), the locals, passionate about music, gather at the Windmill House to enjoy the performances.

The Hai Phong City Museum was established in 1919, featuring stunning Gothic-style architecture. It was officially opened on December 20, 1959. With over 30,000 documents and artifacts displayed across 15 rooms covering more than 120m², the museum offers a comprehensive overview of Hai Phong's historical development.

The museum is known for showcasing the city’s revolutionary history and cultural heritage, as well as being a hub for research on the local climate, geography, and historical landmarks. Notably, the museum has collected nearly 20,000 artifacts, many of which are archaeological relics that highlight Hai Phong's ancient cultural roots. These contributions have significantly advanced scientific research and education in the area.

Located on the central Nguyen Tri Phuong street, the Hai Phong Post Office is part of a collection of unique architectural structures influenced by colonial design, contributing to the city's blend of old-world charm and modernity. It remains one of the few administrative buildings that have been preserved in its original form since the French colonial era, maintaining its function as a vital communication hub.

Constructed by the French in 1905, the Hai Phong Post Office features a blend of European and Asian architectural elements. The building’s front facade is distinguished by a sloping tiled roof and a large, simple clock, flanked by tall windows. The neoclassical style emphasizes symmetrical layouts and grand proportions, with square architectural forms accentuated by decorative details like brick panels and borders. Its strategic location enhances the building's prominence, with wide windows and doors, decorative columns, and embossed designs that add to the building’s imposing and dignified appearance.

Beyond its architectural beauty, the Hai Phong Post Office holds historical significance. Established in 1876, the French opened post offices in Hai Phong and Qui Nhon, following similar operations in Saigon and Hanoi. The first postage stamps were issued in 1864, featuring a simple eagle design. The Hai Phong-Hanoi telecommunication link was officially established on April 19, 1906. The early existence of the Hai Phong Post Office helped ensure smooth communication, connecting Hai Phong with key cities across Vietnam. At the time, it was one of the most modern postal facilities in the country.

Together with the City Theater, Flower Shop, and City Museum, the Central Post Office forms a remarkable group of landmarks, becoming an irreplaceable symbol in the hearts of Hai Phong’s people.

Another unique architectural gem in Hai Phong is the State Bank of Vietnam - Hai Phong Branch, a building constructed entirely from natural green stone.

The Banque de l'Indochine (Indochina Bank) was a French financial institution founded in Paris on January 21, 1875, with the goal of issuing banknotes and coins for France’s colonial territories in Asia. After establishing operations in Vietnam, the French built two branches, one in Saigon and the other in Hai Phong. The Hai Phong branch was inaugurated in 1885, located along the Tam Bac River.

The building, constructed from large green stone blocks sourced from the Thuy Nguyen mountains (Hai Phong) and Thanh Hoa quarries, consists of three floors: a basement for storage, and two upper floors for administrative functions and customer service.

The building’s front features four large columns, each made from five massive green stone blocks, while the rear of the building has additional supporting columns to reinforce the roof and walls. Inside, the walls and floors are finished with Thanh Hoa limwood, providing a warm and traditional aesthetic. The third floor corridor is particularly spacious, about 2.5 meters wide, with numerous windows opening outward to allow natural light and air circulation, ensuring a comfortable environment in both summer and winter.

Since 1955, the former Banque de l'Indochine became the State Bank of Vietnam - Hai Phong Branch, located at 4 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Hong Bang District.

Following their conquest of Northern Vietnam, the French colonial rulers began exploiting the region’s resources, with railways playing a vital role in transportation. To link Hanoi with Hai Phong, the French constructed a 102-kilometer railway line connecting the two cities. On June 16, 1902, the entire line was officially opened, marking the establishment of Hai Phong Railway Station.

On October 21, 1946, after attending the Fontainebleau Conference, President Ho Chi Minh returned to Hai Phong Port, where he boarded a train at Hai Phong Station to travel to Hanoi.

Following the 1954 Dien Bien Phu victory, the French agreed to withdraw their forces. Hai Phong was the final northern point still under French control. Together with the local population and railway workers, they fought in twelve different instances to protect machinery and materials. On May 13, the Vietnamese military took over Hai Phong Station. By May 15, 1955, the station resumed normal operations, receiving troops and officials returning to the city, and the Hanoi-Hai Phong line was reactivated.

Hai Phong Railway Station, located on Luong Khanh Thien Street in the Ngo Quyen District, is one of the most beautiful landmarks in the city, and one of the finest railway stations left behind by the French in Vietnam.

Currently, Hai Phong Railway Station serves as the primary passenger train station in the city. It is the last passenger station on the Hanoi-Hai Phong rail line, and also connects to the port of Hai Phong via a freight railway line, transporting goods from the port to inland regions by rail.

Hai Phong Cathedral, with the title Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, is the cathedral of the Hai Phong Diocese. It is located at 46 Hoang Van Thu Street, Quang Trung Ward, Hong Bang District, Hai Phong City.

Although Christianity had a long presence and influence in Hai Phong, it wasn't until the 1920s that a large church was built in the city. The cathedral was designed in the Gothic architectural style, measuring 47 meters in length and 17 meters in width. Its square-shaped bell tower stands 28 meters tall.

After its completion, the cathedral endured many periods of turmoil, leading to its deterioration. In 2000, the parish priest submitted a request for renovation and restoration, preserving the original architecture while upgrading the interior.

Today, the cathedral, its bell tower, and surrounding grounds have been thoroughly restored and renovated, making it one of the most prominent and beautiful churches in Hai Phong.

Standing proudly in front of the city's exhibition center is the Statue of Female General Le Chan. The people of Hai Phong hold deep respect for the general, who founded the An Bien region—now the modern-day city of Hai Phong.

The monument was erected to honor General Le Chan, who played a crucial role in establishing the region that became Hai Phong. Le Chan was originally from An Bien village, Dong Trieu District, Hai Duong Province. Driven by a deep sense of national duty, she led a group of her family members to settle in the coastal region of An Duong, naming the new settlement after her homeland. There, she recruited talented individuals and formed an army to resist foreign invaders. During the uprising of the two Trung Sisters, Le Chan's forces achieved many remarkable victories. After Mã Viện reinforced the enemy's forces, the revolutionary army struggled to maintain their strength, and Le Chan chose to sacrifice herself to protect her honor.

Even after her death, the legacy of Le Chan endures. What began as a small fishing village, An Bien has blossomed into Hai Phong, a city that excels in both economic and cultural fields. Every resident of Hai Phong, no matter where they are, carries the pride of being descendants of this heroic and resilient female general.

The Statue of General Le Chan was initiated on November 30, 1999, and completed on December 31, 2000. The statue is made of bronze, standing 7.5 meters tall and weighing 19 tons.

Nghè Temple is located in the heart of Hai Phong, dedicated to honoring Female General Le Chan. It is situated about 500 meters from the City Opera House.

The temple, dedicated to Le Chan, commemorates her efforts in founding and developing the Hai Phong region. Legend has it that after her death, Le Chan's spirit transformed into stone, floating on the waters of the Kinh Thay River. From her home in Dong Trieu to the current Bến Bính dock, her stone body floated and spun on the river. The people of An Bien recognized her divine power and attempted to retrieve the stone. As they carried it to the site of the current temple, a storm broke out, causing their ropes to break. It was here that the villagers decided to build the temple in her honor. Initially, the temple was a simple thatched structure, but in 1919, it was rebuilt into the grand temple we see today.

Visitors to Nghè Temple will encounter two unique artifacts: a stone bell (Khánh đá) and a stone slab (Sập đá). The stone bell is carved from a single piece of rock, measuring 1 meter in height and 1.6 meters in width. On one side, two dragons encircle a crescent moon, while the other side features swirling clouds and water waves. Both sides have protruding knobs used to strike the bell, which produces a soft, resonant sound. The temple also hosts an annual festival to commemorate Female General Le Chan from the 8th to the 10th day of the second lunar month, attracting many visitors who come to honor her memory.

The Hai Phong Opera House was built in 1904 and is one of the three grand opera houses in Vietnam designed in French architecture.

It is one of three French-style opera houses in Vietnam. During the French colonial period, the opera house served as a cultural and political venue for the French and wealthy locals. Only renowned French theater troupes or famous local performances were allowed to perform here, and only the affluent could afford tickets to attend.

Located in the heart of the city, the opera house spans two floors with 100 doors and windows, featuring hallways and a grand lobby. It has a stage with a 400-seat auditorium. The second floor is adorned with arched windows in Gothic style. The opera house’s ceiling is vaulted, enhancing the acoustics and adding to its impressive height. The ornate ceiling is decorated with floral arrangements and the names of famous European composers and playwrights such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Molière.

The interior beauty of the opera house is elevated by the 19th-century French architectural style, while its exterior reflects the development of a modern society with a spacious square, a flower garden, artistic fountains, and colorful lights shining along the frangipani trees. The harmonious blend of modernity and tradition creates a stunning and captivating opera house, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.

The Hai Phong Opera House also bears witness to a significant period in the struggle against French colonialism. On August 23, 1945, tens of thousands of Hai Phong residents gathered at the opera house to stage a political rally, forming a revolutionary government and marking an important event in Hai Phong’s revolutionary history. The opera house also hosted the fierce battle on November 20, 1946, where our troops defended the city and the opera house from French forces, a key preparation for the nationwide resistance against French colonialism (November 19, 1946).