Major city · Vietnam
Cam PhaCẩm 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- VND
- Best months
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and rainy), Dec–Feb (cool and damp)
- Airport
- VDO
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Vietnam ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Vietnam ↗Crossing streets: walk slowly and steadily; motorbikes flow around you — do not stop or run.
- Vietnam ↗Carry Vietnamese đồng in small notes; many stalls and taxis are cash-only.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Cam Pha113 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cam Pha, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?VND in small notes (10k–100k) for stalls, markets, xe ôm and tips at spas.Vietnam-wide
- SIM or eSIMViettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport and a face photo are required for registration.Vietnam-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Vietnam-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Round up or 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.Vietnam-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/F. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Vietnam-wide
- SafetyCam Pha is generally safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in cities and hotels; squat toilets and no paper in rural stops and on long buses — carry tissues.Vietnam-wide
- Emergency numbers113 police · 114 fire · 115 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on Monday; the Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum is also closed on Friday and shuts for maintenance for about two months each year (usually…Vietnam-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportVDO Van Don International Airport (About 20 km (12 mi) from Cam Pha; taxis and buses connect to the city.).VDO Van Don International Airport (About 12 mi (20 km) from Cam Pha; taxis and buses connect to the city.).
- Getting aroundTaxis and motorbike taxis (xe ôm) are the main options; the city is small enough to walk between the temple and the waterfront.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBottle of beer (bia)₫10,000–20,000 (≈ under US$1)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi ride3.1 mi (5 km) taxi ride₫50,000–80,000 (≈ US$2–4)
- Museum or sight ticketCửa Ông Temple entryFree (check)
- Budget bedGuesthouse single room, a night, per room₫200,000 (≈ US$8)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse single room, a night, per room₫350,000 (≈ US$14)
- High-end bedGuesthouse single room, a night, per room₫600,000 (≈ US$25)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₫400,000 (≈ US$16) · Mid ₫700,000 (≈ US$30) · High ₫1,200,000 (≈ US$50)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- VDO Van Don International Airport (About 20 km (12 mi) from Cam Pha; taxis and buses connect to the city.)VDO Van Don International Airport (About 12 mi (20 km) from Cam Pha; taxis and buses connect to the city.)
- Phrases
- Vietnamese phrasebook
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Aug (16 rain days), driest Dec (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cam Pha: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
12 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting 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.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus or taxi, about 30 min
Most travellers base themselves in Hạ Long and visit Cam Pha as a side trip.
Van Don Island
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or taxi to Van Don Airport area, then ferry
Ferry schedules are limited; check ahead.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
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.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₫400,000–700,000 (≈ US$16–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₫700,000–1,200,000 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- High
- ₫1,200,000 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse single room1 × 1 night × ₫350,000 | ₫350,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₫700,000 | ₫700,000 |
| Taxi from Van Don Airport to Cam Pha1 × ₫300,000 · check | ₫300,000 |
| Bus from Hạ Long to Cam Pha1 × ₫50,000 · check | ₫50,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₫140,000 |
| Trip total≈ ₫1,540,000 per person per day, bed included | ₫1,540,000≈ US$60 |
2026 estimate in VND; flights and long-distance buses excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bowl of phở | ₫30,000–50,000 (≈ US$2) |
| Seafood meal at Duc Phuc 2 | ₫100,000–200,000 (≈ US$4–8) |
| Bottle of beer (bia) | ₫10,000–20,000 (≈ under US$1) |
| 5 km taxi ride | ₫50,000–80,000 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Cửa Ông Temple entry | Free (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 113
- Fire
- 114
- Ambulance
- 115
Pocket card
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Cam PhaCẩm Phả
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Đến địa chỉ này, làm ơnTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police113
- Fire114
- Ambulance115
Embassy
The nearest consulates are in Hanoi (US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ); check the Vietnam visa page for details.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Van Don Airport → Cam Pha taxi: about ₫300,000 (≈ US$12), about 30 min (check)
- Hạ Long → Cam Pha bus: about ₫50,000 (≈ US$2), about 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Xin chào — Hello (sin chow)
- Cảm ơn — Thank you (kam un)
- Bao nhiêu? — How much? (bow nyew)
- Đền ở đâu? — Where is the temple? (den uh dow)
Most travellers do not stay overnight; carry cash as ATMs are limited.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cam Pha. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and rainy), Dec–Feb (cool and damp) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Cửa Ông Temple, Rều Island and Vũng Đục with verified opening hours and entry fees.
- Eat pages with last orders for Duc Phuc 2 and other local seafood spots.
- Transport fixtures for Van Don Airport and bus connections to Hạ Long.
Sources
Ask about Cam Pha
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