Hai Phong among world’s 10 coolest third cities: Australian magazine
Australian travel magazine Traveller has listed Hai Phong City in northern Vietnam among the world’s 10 coolest third cities that remain uncrowded.
Hai Phong among world’s 10 coolest third cities: Australian magazine
French-built Hai Phong Post Office in downtown Hai Phong. Photo by Le Tan
The magazine defines third cities as medium-sized and small cities of developing countries that urban growth is expected to be greatest.
“Hai Phong feels a lot more relaxed than Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, and still has plenty of French colonial influence in the boulevards and buildings,” it said.
“There’s a strong cafe culture, too, which is just as well given this is a city for hanging out in rather than charging around tourist attractions.”
Hai Phong was founded in 1887 as a major seaport city of Vietnam where most colonial landmarks with a touch of French architecture have remained intact after over a century of existence.
Hai Phong is also used as a gateway to Cat Ba National Park, recognized as a world biosphere reserve.
The list also included Spain’s Valencia, South Africa’s Durban, the U.S.’s Chicago, Canada’s Vancouver, France’s Lyon, Brazil’s Fortaleza, Italy’s Naples, Queensland’s Brisbane and Belgium’s Ghent.