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Haiphong

Haiphong was the initial arrival point of the French; their final departure also took place from here on May 15, 1955. Because of its importance as a major port, Haiphong was subjected to heavy U.S. bombing during the Vietnamese War. Before then, the city suffered devastating losses during the first Indochina War when the French bombarded Haiphong in 1946. Much of the French colonial architecture survived the bombardment and can be seen in the area around the theater square in downtown Haiphong. Also of interest are the numerous street markets, a casino and a resort. Haiphong serves tourists as a gateway to Hanoi, capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. See the Fine Arts Museum, the Water Puppet Theater, Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum and the Ho Chi Minh Museum. There are ancient streets blooming with the same lotus flowers that have existed here for centuries. Hundreds of pagodas and temples around famous lakes and verdant parks also lend Hanoi a particular charm.