Transportation opens the way for city development

Le Hong Phong Street, one of the most beautiful streets in Hai Phong today

Overcoming difficulties

Immediately after the success of the August Revolution in 1945, Hai Phong became a strategic port city, both a trading hub and an important defense line, but its infrastructure was not yet synchronized. During the two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism, the city's transport infrastructure was severely damaged. Bridges, roads, railways, and seaports were continuously bombed and destroyed, and many vital routes were cut off. The road system was degraded, vehicles were rudimentary, and traffic mainly served military transport and the people's minimal needs. During that period, the city did not have the conditions to build modern transport works, and restoration and maintenance mainly relied on the people's strength.

According to the book "History of Hai Phong" (volume 4), after the war, due to the country's many difficulties and limited budget, Hai Phong still lacked large projects and its transport infrastructure was not yet synchronized. The image of an industrial port city was still modest, depending on a few old national highways and railways... The waterways leading to and from the port had not been dredged for a long time, the roads were degraded, there was a lack of goods and passengers, hundreds of vehicles had to stop operating, significantly affecting socio -economic development and people's lives.

40 years ago, poet To Huu, then Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers, dedicated the following verses to the Party Committee, government and people of Hai Phong: “Four culverts, three bridges, five city gates/ Blocking rivers and reclaiming the sea to build a career/ Doing business in two words, that’s it…”. Rising from hardship, with a strong will and aspiration to rise, Hai Phong city has gradually invested, opened roads, built bridges, and prepared for future breakthroughs.

Synchronous development of 5 types of transport

hai-phong-dong-traffic-system(2).jpg — Hai Phong's current transport infrastructure system is synchronous and modern, converging all 5 types of transport. Photo: TRUNG KIEN

On July 1, 2025, the merger of Hai Duong province with Hai Phong city marked a historic turning point. The new Hai Phong city has an area of over 3,100 ^km2 and a population of over 4.6 million people. This is a favorable condition for the city to expand its development space and invest heavily in transportation.

Inheriting the achievements of many previous years, the city's transportation system has been invested in synchronously and modernly, creating a new look. The city now has all 5 types of transportation: road, railway, inland waterway, sea and air. Hai Phong has many strategic transportation projects, such as: Tan Vu - Lach Huyen bridge, Hanoi - Hai Phong highway, Lach Huyen international port, Cat Bi airport and many other projects under construction..., contributing to making Hai Phong the largest logistics center in the North.

In the railway sector, the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong standard gauge route is being planned and urgently implemented, contributing to serving the transportation of goods from the Northwest to the seaport. On the waterway, modern container ports such as Lach Huyen, Dinh Vu, Chua Ve... continue to be invested in, increasing customs clearance capacity. Cat Bi International Airport is constantly expanding, ready for new routes, serving the needs of international integration. The city also focuses on developing smart transportation, building interconnected intersections, overpasses, and traffic control centers to reduce congestion and improve safety.

Resolution 45 of the Politburo on the construction and development of Hai Phong city to 2030, with a vision to 2045, and Decision 1516/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister approving the planning of Hai Phong city for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, both identify the construction and development of Hai Phong as a driving force for the development of the Northern region and the whole country, with a synchronous and modern transport infrastructure, convenient domestic and international connections by road, rail, sea, air and inland waterways. The Standing Committee of the City Party Committee agreed on a list of 32 key transport projects for the period 2026-2030, many of which are inter-regional, creating momentum for socio-economic development. This is an important preparation step for Hai Phong to continue to maintain its role as an international transport hub and a leading logistics center in the North. When the transport system is completed, Hai Phong will become a strategic connection center between industrial parks and international seaports, strongly attracting investment in industry, processing, manufacturing and logistics.

After 80 years of independence, from a port city devastated by war bombs, poor infrastructure, and patchy transportation, Hai Phong has now risen to become an urban area with the most modern transportation system in the country. With synchronous investment in 5 types of transportation, Hai Phong has contributed to becoming a transportation and logistics center of the North and the whole country.

HAI MINH

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/giao-thong-mo-loi-cho-thanh-pho-phat-trien-519137.html