Hon Dau sits about 20 km southeast of central Hai Phong, a low-slung island connected to Do Son peninsula by a short cable car ride or boat. It's not trying to be Phu Quoc or Cat Ba. It's a day-trip island with a lighthouse, a small amusement area, and enough seafood stalls to keep you fed. For travelers passing through Hai Phong or looking for something low-key between Ha Long Bay trips, it's a solid half-day detour.
What Hon Dau actually is
Hon Dau is a rocky island of about 1 sq km covered in old-growth trees, sitting just off the tip of Do Son district. The French built a lighthouse here in the late 19th century — it's still operational and doubles as the island's most recognizable landmark. During the colonial period, Do Son was a beach resort for French administrators, and Hon Dau was part of that coastal leisure landscape.
Today it operates as "Hon Dau Resort," which sounds grander than it is. Think of it as a public park with extra steps: there's a cable car, some walking paths through forest, a few swimming spots, and an aquarium that's seen better days. Vietnamese families come here on weekends. Foreign tourists rarely do, which is part of the appeal.
Why travelers go
Hon Dau works best as a break from the industrial grind of Hai Phong proper. The city is Vietnam (베트남 / 越南 / ベトナム)'s third-largest, but it doesn't have the tourist infrastructure of Hanoi or Da Nang. Hon Dau gives you a reason to head toward the coast, combine it with Do Son beach, eat well, and see a part of northern Vietnam that hasn't been smoothed out for visitors.
It's also a natural pairing with Cat Ba if you're doing a Hai Phong-based trip — Hon Dau for a morning, ferry to Cat Ba in the afternoon.
Best time to visit
April through September is swimming season. July and August are the hottest months (32-35°C) and also the busiest — Vietnamese school holidays bring crowds. June and September hit a decent balance: warm enough to swim, fewer families.
Avoid December through February unless you don't mind grey skies and 15°C water. The cable car sometimes shuts down in heavy wind or rain, which happens more in the winter months. If you're only visiting for the lighthouse and the walk, the cooler months are fine.
How to get there from Hai Phong
From central Hai Phong, you need to get to Do Son first. Grab a taxi or use the Xanh SM app — it's about 20 km and takes 35-45 minutes depending on traffic. A one-way taxi runs around 200,000-250,000 VND.
Local bus route 03 also goes from Hai Phong center to Do Son for about 10,000 VND, but it takes over an hour and drops you at Do Son bus station, from which you'll still need a xe om (motorbike taxi) to the cable car station.
From the Do Son cable car station, the ride to Hon Dau takes about 10 minutes. Round-trip cable car tickets cost around 100,000-150,000 VND for adults. There's also a small boat option from Do Son pier — cheaper at roughly 50,000 VND per person, but less frequent.
Total door-to-door from Hai Phong: about 1.5 hours.
Photo by Ngoc Nguyen on Pexels
What to do
Walk to the lighthouse
The Hon Dau lighthouse is the main draw. Built in 1892, it's a squat white tower on the island's highest point. The walk up takes about 20 minutes through shaded forest paths. On clear days you can see the shipping lanes and the coast stretching toward Ha Long Bay (하롱베이 / 下龙湾 / ハロン湾). The lighthouse compound itself is small — you'll spend more time on the walk than at the top.
Swim off the rocks
There's no proper sandy beach on Hon Dau. Swimming happens off rocky platforms on the island's south side, where concrete steps lead into the water. It's rougher than Do Son beach but cleaner. Bring water shoes — the rocks are sharp in places. Locals swim here without hesitation; the water is shallow enough near the platforms to be manageable for average swimmers.
Ride the cable car (for the view, not the thrill)
The cable car between Do Son and Hon Dau isn't long, but it passes directly over open water. The view of the coastline and fishing boats below is the best angle you'll get of this stretch of coast. It's worth doing one way even if you take the boat back.
Walk the forest loop
A path circles most of the island through dense canopy cover. It takes about 40 minutes at a relaxed pace. You'll pass old banyan trees, small shrines, and a few viewpoints. Early morning is best — the light filters well and it's quiet before the tour groups arrive.
Skip the aquarium (honestly)
Hon Dau has a small aquarium that charges a separate entry fee. It's dated, the tanks are small, and the fish look bored. Save your money unless you're traveling with young kids who need a distraction.
Where to eat nearby
Don't eat on the island itself — the food stalls are overpriced and mediocre. Instead, eat in Do Son before or after your visit.
Do Son is known for "banh da cua" — a Hai Phong specialty of flat red noodles in a rich crab broth. It's one of the best bowls of soup in northern Vietnam and costs 35,000-50,000 VND at most local shops. Look for places along the main road into Do Son where you see locals sitting on plastic stools — standard rules apply.
Seafood is the other obvious move. Do Son has rows of seafood restaurants along the beachfront road. Grilled clams, steamed "oc" (snails), and stir-fried crab with tamarind are common orders. A full seafood spread for two runs 300,000-500,000 VND if you avoid the tourist-facing places and eat where Vietnamese families eat. Ask for prices before ordering — Do Son seafood restaurants have a reputation for creative billing.
Where to stay
Most travelers do Hon Dau as a day trip from Hai Phong. If you want to stay near the coast, Do Son has hotels and guesthouses ranging from 300,000 VND/night (basic fan room) to 1,200,000 VND/night (beachfront hotel with air conditioning and breakfast). Nothing fancy, but functional.
Back in Hai Phong city center, you'll find more options. Budget hotels start around 250,000 VND; mid-range places with decent beds and breakfast go for 500,000-900,000 VND.
Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels
Practical tips locals would tell you
- Bring cash. Hon Dau and Do Son are not card-friendly. ATMs exist in Do Son town but not on the island.
- Go early. The cable car opens around 7:00 AM. Arriving by 8:00 means you'll have the island mostly to yourself before the 10:00 AM rush.
- Wear real shoes. The island paths are uneven stone and root. Flip-flops work for locals who've walked them a hundred times. You'll slip.
- Sunscreen matters more than you think. The sea breeze at Do Son tricks you into thinking it's cool. It's not. You'll burn.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating it as a full-day destination. Hon Dau is a 2-3 hour visit, tops. Pair it with Do Son beach or a seafood lunch, then head back to Hai Phong or onward to Cat Ba.
- Eating on the island. Captive-audience pricing, average food. Eat in Do Son.
- Visiting on a summer weekend without expecting crowds. Saturday and Sunday from June through August bring Hai Phong families in volume. The cable car queue alone can eat 30-40 minutes.
- Skipping Do Son entirely. The peninsula itself — faded colonial villas, local beaches, the fishing harbor — is more interesting than most travelers expect. Don't just cable-car over and cable-car back.
Practical notes
Hon Dau entry fees change periodically but expect around 50,000-80,000 VND on top of the cable car ticket. The island has basic toilets but no showers. If you're heading to Cat Ba afterward, the Hai Phong–Cat Ba speedboat leaves from Got pier, about 30 minutes from Do Son by taxi.
Last updated · May 29, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
