For an evening in central Hai Phong, combine a local dinner with a walk around the City Theater and Tam Bac, then choose a rooftop drink, live entertainment or a movie. You can start around 18:00 without committing the whole night to one venue.
Check whether a Friday or Saturday food-market program is scheduled around the City Theater during your stay. Outdoor events are an addition to the evening, so have a restaurant or indoor option ready if the program changes or it rains.
Choose an evening that fits your plans
- Food and a walk: eat near the central gardens, pass the City Theater and continue toward Tam Bac Lake.
- Local beer: try the beer-and-food outlet at 16 Lach Tray, near the stadium.
- Rooftop views or cocktails: choose a bar by its setting and the night’s music program.
- A rainy evening: book a film at central Galaxy Cinema or combine dinner and CGV at AEON Mall.
This route covers the urban center. Do Son and Cat Ba have their own evening activities and require separate travel planning.
Walk from the City Theater toward Tam Bac
Begin at the City Theater Square, also known as the Opera House area. Quán Hoa, the row of flower kiosks beside the square, and the General Le Chan statue provide short stops along the central gardens.
Continue toward Tam Bac Lake. The lake and Tam Bac River are different places; extending the walk to the riverfront adds distance. Allow roughly 30–60 minutes for a central walk, with more time for food, photographs or a longer riverfront section.
On an event evening, pedestrian restrictions can change where vehicles stop. Arrange your return pickup on an open street outside the busiest area. Stay on well-lit paths and avoid treating the riverfront as a guaranteed market or performance venue.
On a scheduled central night-market evening, add a quiet stop at Nghe Temple on Le Chan Street before dinner. Check access at the entrance and respect worshippers. Evening access at the temple does not mean the nearby museum or theater auditorium is also open.
Make dinner a short food crawl
Choose two or three dishes instead of ordering a full meal at every stop. Hàng Kênh and the streets around the center offer small food businesses, but individual stalls may serve only part of the day. Confirm that your chosen place is serving dinner before traveling specifically for it.
- Bánh đa cua: red rice noodles commonly served with crab-based broth and assorted toppings.
- Nem cua bể: a square fried spring roll containing crab and other fillings.
- Bánh mì cay: a small baguette with pâté and chili sauce.
- Miến trộn: glass noodles mixed with sauce and toppings.
- Dừa dầm: a chilled coconut dessert.
- Trà cúc: chrysanthemum tea, sometimes served with kumquat or licorice.
Check the portion size and price before ordering. For an allergy or dietary restriction, show a Vietnamese translation and ask about the broth, fillings, sauces and shared utensils, as well as the visible ingredients.
When the central food market is running, browse the stalls before buying. The mix of vendors, music and performances can vary between evenings; there is no need to build the entire night around a particular stall or show.
Choose an evening performance
The central walking-street program can include cheo, traditional Vietnamese theater, and puppetry alongside contemporary music and community performances. Check the program for your exact evening and stage: the street market’s opening time does not tell you when a particular act begins. Ask your hotel to find the current lich bieu dien pho di bo, or walking-street performance schedule, before planning dinner around a show.
Do not assume that a Friday or Saturday program repeats throughout the year. For a named performance, confirm the start time, the stage location and whether it is a short appearance within a mixed program or a longer show. Ask about seating and any entry arrangements if those matter to you. The outdoor stages around the City Theater are separate from the theater’s indoor auditorium; being in the square does not include access inside.
For a more focused traditional-music evening, use the Hai Phong ca tru guide to compare restaurant performances and Dong Mon’s community setting. Confirm live musicians on your date before reserving dinner, and request a brief explanation of the songs if you do not speak Vietnamese.
Watch a match at Lach Tray Stadium
If a home fixture fits your stay, make football the main evening activity and eat before kickoff. Use the Lach Tray Stadium ticket guide to find the correct game, sales point and stand. Check the match-specific admission notice and arrange the return journey before committing to a late train.
Try Hai Phong beer at 16 Lach Tray
Bia Hà Nội – Hải Phòng has a beer-and-food outlet at 16 Lach Tray, near Lach Tray Stadium. Ask which draft and bottled beers are available and check the food menu before settling in.
Treat this as a casual dinner or early-evening beer stop. Confirm service hours if arriving late, and arrange a taxi or ride-hailing pickup if you drink.
Choose a rooftop bar, cocktail bar or DJ event
Up & Above Rooftop Bar is on level 32 of Pullman Hai Phong Grand Hotel at 12 Tran Phu. It has indoor seating, an outdoor terrace, cocktails and bar food, with published hours of 17:00–midnight daily.
The bar also hosts DJ music, so check the program if conversation is your priority. Reserve for a group and confirm terrace availability when outdoor seating matters; wind, rain or a private event can affect access.
For other settings, compare our Hai Phong bars for craft beer, cocktails and DJ nights. Choose the evening’s atmosphere as well as the address. For an event, confirm entry conditions, table minimums and whether a reservation includes a specific seating area.
Watch a movie when you prefer an indoor evening
Galaxy Cinema in the city center
Galaxy Cinema is on level 7 of Nguyen Kim at 104 Luong Khanh Thien. It works well with dinner near the railway station or central gardens.
Check the exact branch and screening before buying. An English film may be subtitled or dubbed, and a Vietnamese-language film may not have English subtitles.
CGV at AEON Mall
CGV is on level 3 of AEON Mall Hai Phong Le Chan, 10 Vo Nguyen Giap. Combine a film with dinner at the mall if you want several indoor options in one place.
Use the film schedule to plan the evening. Restaurants and shops may close before the last screening ends; confirm the late exit and pickup point if your movie finishes after normal mall hours.
For the full comparison, use Hai Phong Tours’ Hai Phong cinema branch guide, especially when distinguishing CGV AEON Mall from AEON BETA on Vu Yen.
A simple plan for your first evening
- Start with dinner: choose a restaurant or two nearby food stops around 18:00.
- Walk the center: visit the City Theater area and continue toward Tam Bac Lake if the weather suits.
- Add one final activity: a bar, an event that is actually scheduled, or a film with a confirmed language format.
- Arrange the return: save your accommodation address and set a pickup point outside any pedestrian restrictions.
Carry some Vietnamese cash for small stalls; a local QR payment option may not work with your overseas account. On wet evenings, shorten the walking section. If you drink alcohol, use a driver for the journey back.