While travelers often rush through northern Vietnam to reach the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, many overlook the city that keeps the region’s heart beating. Hai Phong isn’t just a transit point or a shipping hub; it is a city of "flamboyant" energy—both in the literal red flowers that line its boulevards and the fiery, unapologetic character of its people. To experience Hai Phong is to embrace a version of Vietnam that is raw, salt-crusted, and deeply authentic. 1. The...