The
total land area of Haiphong is 1,519 km2, including 02 islands (Cat
Hai and Bach Long Vi). Of that, hills account for 15%, mainly located in
the north, forming a midland geological structure of plains along with
hills alternately; southern terrain is low and flat, a typical delta
sloping to the sea, with the elevations from 0.7 to 1.7 m above the sea
level. The sea is bestowed with Cat Ba Island known as the pearl of Hai
Phong, comprising of over 360 small and large islands adjacent to Ha
Long Bay. Cat Ba Island is at an altitude of 200 m above sea level,
covering an area of about 100 km2, 30 nautical miles from the city
centre. Bach Long Vi Island is quite flat and sandy, 90 km away from Cat
Ba to the southeast.
Topography
The total land area of Haiphong is 1,519 km2, including 02 islands (Cat Hai and Bach Long Vi). Of that, hills account for 15%, mainly located in the north, forming a midland geological structure of plains along with hills alternately; southern terrain is low and flat, a typical delta sloping to the sea, with the elevations from 0.7 to 1.7 m above the sea level. The sea is bestowed with Cat Ba Island known as the pearl of Hai Phong, comprising of over 360 small and large islands adjacent to Ha Long Bay. Cat Ba Island is at an altitude of 200 m above sea level, covering an area of about 100 km2, 30 nautical miles from the city centre. Bach Long Vi Island is quite flat and sandy, 90 km away from Cat Ba to the southeast.
Hills, plains
Northern Hai Phong is a midland of plain dotted with hills, descending to the sea. The mountainous area is associated with Quang Ninh’s mountains with an ancient folded basement, in which a slight sag occurred in the past, consisting of sandstone, shale and rock lime of different ages in continuous strips heading to the ocean in the direction of northwest-southeast. Accordingly, there are two main ranges including one running from An Lao to Do Son, extending by about 30 km with the mountains of Nui Voi, Phu Lien, Xuan Son, Xuan Ang, Nui Doi, Do Son, Hon Dau; the other known as Ky Son - Trang Kenh and An Son - Nui Deo, consisting of two branches: An Son - Nui Deo with sandstone mountains of Phu Luu, Thanh Lang and Nui Deo; and Ky Son - Trang Kenh of limestone structure.
Ocean and beaches
Haiphong coastline is 125 km2, low and relatively flat, formed by alluvial sand from 5 major estuaries. Because of this, Do Son beach used to be muddy, but is now cleaner with golden sand and beautiful scenery. In addition, Hai Phong has Cat Ba Island which is the world's biosphere reserve with beautiful beaches, white sand, blue water and beautiful and amazing Lan Ha bay etc. Cat Ba is also the largest island in Ha Long Bay area.
Rivers
Hai Phong has many rivers and streams with the average density of 0.6 - 0.8 km per 1 km². The slop is quite small, flowing mainly in the direction from the Northwest to the Southeast. This is where all downstreams of Thai Binh river meet to create a fertile land. There are 16 major rivers throughout the city with a total length of 300 km, including:
1. Da Bac - Bach Dang river, over 32 km in length, a tributary of Kinh Mon river leading to sea at Nam Trieu mouth, the boundary of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh.
2. Cam river is over 30 km long, also a tributary of Kinh Mon river, flowing through the city and meet the sea at Cua Cam mouth.
3. Lach Tray river is 45 km long, a tributary of Kinh Thay river, running from Kenh Dong to the sea at Lach Tray mouth through Kien An, An Hai districts and other parts of the city centre.
4. Van Uc river is 35 km long river flowing from Qui Cao to the sea through the Van Uc estuary, a boundary dividing An Lao and Tien Lang districts.
5. Thai Binh river is a boundary between Hai Phong and Thai Binh.
6. Bach Dang river is a boundary between Hai Phong and Quang Ninh
7. There are also many other small rivers located in the urban area of Hong Bang district.