In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Vietnam
Cam Pha
Cẩm Phả
Skip Cam Pha unless you have a specific reason to visit the Cửa Ông Temple or the coal-mining history; a half-day from Hạ Long is enough.
Cam Pha is a port and coal-mining city on the northeastern coast of Vietnam, about 10 km southwest of Hạ Long Bay. Its non-industrial area is listed among Vietnam's top landscapes, but most travellers pass through en route to Hạ Long or the islands. The main draw is the Cửa Ông Temple, a 13th-century shrine, and the nearby Rều and Thẻ Vàng islands. For most visitors, a half-day stop is sufficient; the city itself offers little accommodation or nightlife.
- Country
- Vietnam
- Local name
- Cẩm Phả
- Best months
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot and rainy), Dec–Feb (cool and damp)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- VND
- Money
- VND in small notes (10k–100k) for stalls, markets, xe ôm and tips at spas.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₫400,000–700,000 excl. bed · Mid ₫700,000–1,200,000 excl. bed · High ₫1,200,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Viettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport and a face photo are required for registration.
- Emergency
- Police 113 · Fire 114 · Ambulance 115
- Plugs
- Types A, C, F · 220 V · 50 Hz · Two-pin sockets take flat US pins and round European pins; UK plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and cafés: Nothing; leave small change if you like.; Sit-down restaurant: Round up or 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Grab / taxi: Round up; tip in the app if you want.; Spa and massage: ₫50,000–100,000 to the therapist directly; some spas ask for more.; Guide and driver on a day tour: ₫100,000–200,000 per person for the guide, about half that for the driver.; Hotel porter: ₫20,000–50,000.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Bottled and filtered water everywhere; hotel refill stations are common. Café ice is factory-made.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in cities and hotels; squat toilets and no paper in rural stops and on long buses — carry tissues. Old plumbing: paper in the bin.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bowl of phở | ₫30,000–50,000 |
| Seafood meal at Duc Phuc 2 | ₫100,000–200,000 |
| Bottle of beer (bia) | ₫10,000–20,000 |
| 5 km (3.1 mi) taxi ride3.1 mi (5 km) taxi ride | ₫50,000–80,000 |
| Cửa Ông Temple entry | Free (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- VDO · Van Don International Airport
- About 20 km (12 mi) from Cam Pha; taxis and buses connect to the city.About 12 mi (20 km) from Cam Pha; taxis and buses connect to the city.
Typical fares
- Van Don Airport → Cam Pha taxi
- about ₫300,000, about 30 min (check)
- Hạ Long → Cam Pha bus
- about ₫50,000, about 30 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Taxis and motorbike taxis (xe ôm) are the main options; the city is small enough to walk between the temple and the waterfront. Buses connect Cam Pha to Hạ Long and Van Don Airport.
See and do
Known for
- Cửa Ông Temple
- Coal-mining heritage
- Rều Island (Monkey Island)
- Vũng Đục historical site
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hạ Long Bay | Bus or taxi, about 30 min | About 1 h |
| Van Don Island | Bus or taxi to Van Don Airport area, then ferry | About 1.5 h |
Sleep
- Mong Duong Ward
- Budget guesthouses and a few hotels; near the coast and the stadium.
- Cam Pha centre
- Limited options; most travellers stay in Hạ Long and day-trip.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Xin chàosin chow |
| Help me! | Cứu tôi với!kuh-oo toy vuh-ee |
| 1, 2, 3 | một, hai, bamoht, hai, bah |
| How much is it? | Bao nhiêu tiền?bow nyew tyen |
| Please take me to this address | Làm ơn chở tôi đến địa chỉ nàylahm uhn chuh toy den dee-ah chee nay |
| Excuse me! (to a younger server) | Em ơi!em uh-ee |
| I have a booking | Tôi đã đặt phòngtoy dah daht fong |
| What time? | Mấy giờ?may zuh |
| Thank you | Cảm ơnkahm uhn |
| Call the police! (113) | Gọi cảnh sát! (113)goy kahn saht |
| 4, 5, 6 | bốn, năm, sáubohn, nahm, sow |
| Too expensive! | Đắt quá!daht kwah |
| I booked a Grab | Tôi đặt Grabtoy daht grab |
| I'll have this one | Cho tôi cái nàychaw toy kai nay |
| Do you have a room free? | Còn phòng không?kon fong khohm |
| Now | Bây giờbay zuh |
| No, thank you (street sellers) | Không, cảm ơnkhohm, kahm uhn |
| Fire! Call the fire service! (114) | Cháy! Gọi cứu hỏa! (114)chai! goy kuh-oo hwah |
| 7, 8, 9, 10 | bảy, tám, chín, mườibay, tahm, cheen, muh-ee |
| Come down a bit | Bớt đibuht dee |
Say it for greetings, prices and 'no ice'. Show the screen for addresses, allergies, medical problems and anything you need done exactly — a wrong tone on those costs more than the embarrassment of pointing at a phone.
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Nod and smile; handshake with men, let women offer first; avoid: Hugs and cheek kisses with people you have just met
- Names: Title plus given name — 'Anh Nam', 'Chị Lan' — the given name comes last; avoid: Calling someone by the family name alone (Nguyễn, Trần)
- Handing things: Both hands, especially money, cards and gifts to older people; avoid: Tossing things across a table
- Conversation: Expect questions about age, marriage and income; they place you, not pry; avoid: Raising your voice or correcting someone in front of others
- Temples and pagodas: Covered shoulders and knees; step over the raised threshold; enter by the right-hand door; avoid: Sitting with your back to an altar; climbing statues for photos
- Photos: Ask first, especially in minority villages; avoid: Paying children for photos — it keeps them out of school
- Home visit: Shoes off; bring fruit, tea or sweets; accept at least a drink; avoid: Pointing your feet at people or the family altar
- Beckoning: Palm down, fingers waving towards you; avoid: Curling one finger — it is used for animals
Scams and watch-outs
- Coal dust can be noticeable near the port; bring a mask if you have respiratory issues.
- Rều Island (Monkey Island) has wild monkeys: do not feed them.
- Temple hours may vary; check locally before visiting.
Cam Pha is generally safe for tourists. The main risks are traffic (motorbikes) and the occasional aggressive monkey on Rều Island. Keep valuables secure in crowded areas.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Cam Pha yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Cửa Ông Temple
- Coal-mining heritage
- Rều Island (Monkey Island)
- Vũng Đục historical site
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Cam Pha, revision 5139585 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5139585
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Cam PhaCẩm Phả
Đến địa chỉ này, làm ơn
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
The nearest consulates are in Hanoi (US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ); check the Vietnam visa page for details.
Most travellers do not stay overnight; carry cash as ATMs are limited.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/cam-pha). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.