Three influential Vietnamese food content creators reveal their definitive Hai Phong food guide, explaining why this coastal city’s exceptional cuisine makes it Vietnam’s most underrated culinary destination, located just 90 minutes from Hanoi.

Hai Phong Food Guide: Featured Creators Pít Ham Ăn, Son Harry, And Call Me Gigi

Vietnam’s most dynamic and boldest port city, Hai Phong, sits conveniently 90 minutes east of Hanoi, creating the perfect weekend culinary escape and deserving recognition as a standalone destination on any Vietnamese food tour. This gritty yet flavorful underdog offers authentic experiences compared to neighboring Ha Long Bay’s commercialized tourist attractions. Most travelers hurry through en route to those famous limestone formations, missing an incredible opportunity. This represents the heart of authentic Vietnamese dining culture, which makes it worthy of our comprehensive Hai Phong food guide, showcasing the port city’s culinary pride through three passionate content creators sharing its delicious story.

During casual local conversations that inevitably center around food, Saigonese residents seem to crave Hanoi’s refined cuisine, while Hanoians consistently express longing for Hai Phong’s bold flavors. Three dedicated content creators are documenting this culinary narrative, painting a vivid portrait of the port city through their detailed Hai Phong food guides.

Pít Ham Ăn, Son Harry, and Call Me Gigi have focused their cameras on Hai Phong’s undiscovered food scene with remarkable dedication. They’re creating more than simple social media content, serving as enthusiastic cultural ambassadors for a city whose exceptional cuisine deserves international recognition. Hai Phong’s food scene naturally inspires this kind of passionate advocacy and genuine evangelism.

This Hai Phong Food Guide Showcases Extraordinary Culinary Heritage

“What makes Hai Phong’s cuisine truly special?” asks Pít Ham Ăn thoughtfully. “I believe the flavors of Hai Phong are intrinsically connected to its unique geographical location. Finding the same authentic taste when trying the city’s signature dishes elsewhere proves nearly impossible,” she explains with evident enthusiasm. “What creates this specialness isn’t limited to one or two standout dishes but encompasses an incredibly diverse and rich culinary landscape. Even dedicating an entire day wouldn’t provide sufficient time to explore all the exceptional delicacies available here.”

Son Harry shares this perspective completely. “Hai Phong’s cuisine demonstrates remarkable humility while simultaneously showcasing incredible boldness. The foundation rests on exceptionally fresh, locally sourced ingredients combined with straightforward, no-nonsense cooking techniques,” he elaborates. “This creates an environment where street food culture absolutely thrives, featuring everything from bánh đa cua to satisfying nem cua bể, fresh ốc preparations, distinctive bánh mì pâté, and bánh bèo prepared in a style completely distinct from Huế or Saigon variations.”

That culinary distinction holds tremendous importance, according to Call Me Gigi. “Honestly, every Vietnamese city possesses its own unique culinary identity and character. For Hai Phong specifically, the first dish that immediately comes to people’s minds is always bánh đa cua, those thick red rice noodles served in rich crab broth, followed closely by nem cua bể, which are sea crab spring rolls, perhaps bánh mì cay or spicy bread, and numerous other specialties,” she enthusiastically lists these dishes like beloved family recipes.

“However, when discussing true exclusivity and authenticity, the genuine gems of Hai Phong are definitely bánh đa cua and chí chương, which represents Hai Phong’s signature condiment carefully crafted with chili and seedless fresh tomatoes, expertly mixed with minced garlic, a precise amount of salt and fermented according to special recipes that vary depending on the specific place of production.”

A City Operating At Its Own Authentic Rhythm

Tourist menus rarely exist in authentic Hai Phong establishments. Instead, you’ll discover bowls of bánh đa cua that have been perfecting themselves through countless generations. These red rice noodles, thick as your thumb, swim in crab broth that captures the essence of the ocean itself. Hai Phong operates according to its own unhurried pace and natural rhythm. Street vendors establish their stalls at 6 AM, completely sell out their offerings by noon, and vanish until the following day’s cycle begins again.

Magnificent flamboyant trees line the bustling streets, dropping brilliant red petals like natural confetti celebrating the city’s vibrant character. The busy harbor continuously hums with massive container ships arriving from destinations worldwide. Yet walking just five minutes inland transports you into neighborhoods where time seemingly forgot to check its watch, creating an atmosphere of timeless authenticity. This isn’t Hanoi’s sophisticated elegance or Saigon’s energetic chaos. This represents something entirely different and genuinely special. It’s working-class poetry expressed through food, where everything tastes like authentic port city pride.

Hai Phong’s Food Scene Ranks Among Vietnam’s Most Undervalued Culinary Destinations

What unites Pít Ham Ăn, Call Me Gigi and Son Harry is their passionate shared belief that Hai Phong, Vietnam’s largest and most important port city, harbors one of the country’s most criminally underrated food scenes. Hai Phong has been quietly and consistently perfecting bold, unpretentious flavors that simultaneously capture the essence of the sea and the authentic street culture in equal measure.

Khánh Linh, widely recognized as Pít Ham Ăn, represents the creative content creator who successfully decoded YouTube Shorts Vietnam, achieving number one status in 2021 and accumulating nearly 6 million dedicated followers across multiple social media platforms. Son Harry serves as the accomplished TikTok explorer who also works as a professional interior designer, bringing unique understanding of how great storytelling functions in both physical space and flavor experiences. Gigi stands as the authenticity evangelist behind ‘Call Me Gigi,’ whose immersive videos help viewers genuinely feel the flavors rather than simply observing them.

Consider these three individuals as passionate cultural ambassadors representing a city that officially published Vietnam’s first comprehensive municipal Food Tour Map, providing concrete proof that Hai Phong takes its culinary identity extremely seriously. Through their engaging cameras and insightful commentary, they’ve been answering a question most travelers never think to consider: what happens when a historic port city with 245 years of rich history decides to let its exceptional food culture do the talking?

Personal Reflections: What Hai Phong Means To These Food Ambassadors

When asked what comes to mind when thinking about Hai Phong, Call Me Gigi responds, “When I think of Hai Phong, I immediately picture vibrant red flowers and the aromatic steam rising from a perfect bowl of bánh đa cua. I envision the impressive statue of Lady General Lê Chân and the distinctive kick of chí chương sauce creating that unforgettable flavor experience!”

Son Harry offers his perspective: “To me personally, the city tastes bold, distinctly sea-scented, and deeply comforting in ways that few places achieve. To summarize that complex experience in a single dish, it would definitely be a perfectly prepared bowl of bánh đa cua bursting with the sweet brininess of fresh seafood, the rich luxury of crab meat, and the warmth of a lovingly prepared homemade broth.”

Pít Ham Ăn provides a poetic comparison: “A bowl of bánh đa cua perfectly represents the city itself, diverse, lively, and absolutely full of delightful surprises. Each individual component in the bowl tells its own unique story, but when combined together, they create a harmonious and completely unforgettable experience. The chewy, distinctively red bánh đa noodles represent the bustling streets, packed with people and vehicles, yet somehow maintaining a cozy, genuinely welcoming atmosphere. The crab serves as the soul of the dish, fresh, delicious, and sincere, just like the local residents. The broth is rich and sweet, combined with the spicy and aromatic chí chương chili sauce, like the city’s climate, sunny but sometimes windy, which gives it a certain undeniable charm.”

Ranking Hai Phong Among Vietnam’s Premier Food Destinations

When asked where Hai Phong’s cuisine ranks among Vietnam’s finest culinary destinations, Call me Gigi declares confidently, “If not first place, then definitely second! Hai Phong is rightfully famous for its incredible food tours, absolutely delicious street food, and remarkably budget-friendly prices that make it accessible to everyone.”

Son Harry shares his assessment: “For me personally, Hai Phong easily ranks in the top 3 food cities throughout Vietnam, standing proudly alongside Saigon and Hanoi. Its flavors are consistently bold, the portions are notably generous, and the overall vibe is hyper-local and refreshingly unpretentious.”

Pít Ham Ăn diplomatically responds: “Personally, I believe Hai Phong is definitely among the top food cities in Vietnam without question. But don’t make me choose a specific ranking! It’s far too difficult to make such comparisons when each city offers something special.”

Climate And Geography’s Influence On Hai Phong’s Culinary Traditions

Son Harry explains the geographical impact: “Being a coastal city, Hai Phong’s cuisine is naturally and intrinsically tied to the sea in fundamental ways. Local seafood isn’t just fresh, it’s an integral part of everyday meals and daily life. The climate naturally lends itself to richer flavors with a distinctive hint of spice, making even the simplest dishes feel completely full of personality and character.”

Call Me Gigi describes the environmental factors: “Hai Phong’s weather remains quite pleasant throughout the year, featuring cool refreshing breezes from the sea during summer months and moderate, comfortable winters. Being a coastal city, there’s an abundance of fresh seafood available, especially various shellfish. You’ll find plenty of bề bề, which are mantis shrimp, featured in dishes like bánh đa cua and at specialized seafood establishments like Ốc Thủy Dương Lạch Tray.”

Pít Ham Ăn provides comprehensive context: “As the largest port city in Northern Vietnam, Hai Phong is blessed by its strategic proximity to the sea and several beautiful seaside areas such as Cát Bà, Đồ Sơn, and Bạch Long Vĩ. The geography provides a remarkably rich source of fresh seafood, with bánh đa cua utilizing fresh field crabs, cua bể featuring firm, sweet crab meat that is significantly better than in many other locations, and countless seafood dishes with shellfish that can be prepared in countless creative ways. In winter, when the weather becomes cold, people naturally crave hot, warming dishes like sủi dìn, which are glutinous rice balls, crab hotpot, spicy fish noodles, and more bánh đa cua. In summer, when temperatures rise, there are refreshing treats like dừa dầm, coconut dessert drink, coconut coffee, and lots of sweet, cooling soups.”

Essential Breakfast Destinations In Hai Phong

Pít Ham Ăn describes the morning food culture: “Hai Phong’s breakfast scene is incredibly diverse and exciting! There are numerous dishes like bánh đa cua, bánh đa ngan which are duck noodles, bún tôm or shrimp vermicelli, bánh mì trứng đánh kem which is whipped egg baguette, and phở bò nhừ featuring tender beef pho. I feel like most locals consistently prefer a warm, comforting noodle soup to start their day properly. After breakfast, it’s extremely common to enjoy trà cúc, chrysanthemum tea, on the sidewalk while peacefully watching the city wake up. Do this and you’ll become a local!”

Call Me Gigi confirms: “Yes, most locals definitely prefer noodles in the morning, such as bún cá, fish noodle soup, or bánh đa cua.”

Son Harry agrees: “For me too. I’d start my day in Hai Phong with either bánh đa cua or bún tôm. Both are comforting, full of umami, and energizing.”

Recommended Food Tour Itinerary For First-Time Visitors

Pít Ham Ăn shares her essential recommendations: “I’d just provide my must-try places and let them choose based on their preferences. There’s Bánh Đa Cua Bà Nghĩa at 17/143 Tôn Đức Thắng, open from 10 AM to 3 PM, then Bánh Đa Cua Chú Dũng at 143/46 Lạch Tray from 6 AM to 1 PM. For nem cua bể, I’d send them to 92 Trần Nhật Duật at Chợ Cố Đạo Market. Oh, and bánh đúc tàu at 5 Miếu Hai Xã, but you need to get there by 3:30 PM before they sell out completely. At Chợ Đổ Market there’s great giá bể xào, stir-fried bean sprouts with seafood, and bánh bèo. Or there’s bánh mì trứng đánh kem at 64 Lý Thường Kiệt, though that’s mornings only.”

Son Harry recommends: “Definitely Chợ Cát Bi and Chợ Lương Văn Can. These markets are absolute street food heaven. Inside you’ll find the best of Hai Phong in one convenient place, from seafood to snacks, all at local prices.”

Must-Try Beverages And Desserts

Son Harry highlights his coffee recommendation: “If you’re looking for a really good cup of coffee, Cafe 99.33 is my top pick. Their coffee is rich, smooth, and consistently well-made, perfect for both casual meetups and quiet moments alone. It’s one of those places that locals keep coming back to, not just for the drinks but for the vibe, too.”

Pít Ham Ăn suggests: “For desserts, Dừa Dầm Cô Tuyết, 274 Tôn Đức Thắng and Coconut Coffee Cô Hạnh, 148 Lương Khánh Thiện. For something sweet, dừa dầm at Hiền Béo on 124 Lạch Tray. And don’t miss trà cúc hạt dẻ, chrysanthemum tea with chestnuts, at 15-17 Hoàng Văn Thụ.”

Call Me Gigi enthusiastically shares: “Absolutely! Top 1 is cà phê cốt dừa, coconut coffee, followed by dừa dầm, shredded coconut dessert drink. The best places for coconut coffee are: Cô Hạnh at 148 Lương Khánh Thiện & 102 Lam Sơn and Cô Hằng at Lam Sơn. It’s rich, smooth, and not overly sweet, with an array of toppings, truly addictive! For desserts, cà phê cốt dừa is a must-try, but if you prefer something sweeter, go for dừa dầm at Hiền Béo or Cô Vinh, both near the Lạch Tray War Memorial at 53 Lạch Tray.”

Secret Favorite Spots These Creators Hesitate To Share

When asked about places so good they’re reluctant to tell anyone, Son Harry admits: “Ốc Cô Lời! Even now, I’m hesitating to mention it because it’s that exceptional. Fresh, flavorful, and absolutely unforgettable.”

Call Me Gigi takes a different approach: “For me, the whole point of finding great places is to share them with others. For me, it’s evening-only bánh đa cua at 42 Hai Bà Trưng and Bún Cá Miền Duyên Hải at 227 Văn Cao. Both are absolute gems!”

Pít Ham Ăn agrees: “Same philosophy. The whole point is telling people about these amazing discoveries!”

Favorite Social Hangout Spots In Hai Phong

Call Me Gigi shares: “Trà cúc on Hoàng Văn Thụ is my go-to spot for relaxing with friends. There’s Insider Hidden Bar for cocktails too at 80 Hoàng Văn Thụ. It’s super chill, which the friendly staff help contribute to.”

Son Harry explains: “Mostly cafes and local eateries suit my style. Some of my favorite coffee spots are Ngụm and Cafe 99.33, both offering great vibes and attracting a local crowd. Or I’d go to Hạnh Bia for some delicious snacks. And I’d go to local-style hotpot at Lẩu Cua Đồng, Ngõ Phạm Hữu Điều.”

Best Late-Night Food Options

Son Harry recommends: “Bánh Đa Chiên & Ốc Chiên at Số 1 Lê Chân. Perfect after 10PM when you need something satisfying.”

Call Me Gigi suggests: “Bánh cuốn, Vietnamese steamed rice rolls, at 118 Lương Khánh Thiện. It’s open until 4 AM, perfect for late-night cravings!”

This comprehensive Hai Phong food guide demonstrates why Vietnam’s largest port city deserves recognition as one of the country’s premier culinary destinations, offering authentic flavors, passionate local culture, and unforgettable dining experiences that showcase the true heart of Vietnamese cuisine.