Admire the 130-year-old lighthouse in the sea and sky of Hai Phong

Located in the green space of Dau Island (Do Son ward, Hai Phong city), Hon Dau lighthouse is not only a channel leading structure, ensuring maritime safety, but also a symbol of rich historical, architectural and cultural values of the sea and islands, associated with the development journey of Hai Phong port. Photo: Van Toan (taken August 31, 2026)

Theo Lịch sử Đảng bộ Hải Phòng, thực dân Pháp chiếm đóng Hải Phòng năm 1873, 3 năm sau - năm 1876 xây dựng Cảng Hải Phòng. Đến năm 1884, ngọn hải đăng Hòn Dấu Đồ Sơn được khởi côn và hoàn thành năm 1896. Tháng 6.1898, ngọn hải đăng này mới đi vào hoạt động. Đây là một ngọn hải đăng có vị trí quan trọng trong việc hướng dẫn tàu thuyền ra vào cảng Hải Phòng. Ảnh: Văn Toàn (31.8.2026)

According to the History of the Hai Phong Party Committee, the French colonialists occupied Hai Phong in 1873, 3 years later - in 1876, Hai Phong Port was built. In 1884, the Hon Dau Do Son lighthouse was started and completed in 1896. In June 1898, this lighthouse went into operation. This is a lighthouse with an important position in guiding ships in and out of Hai Phong port. Photo: Van Toan (August 31, 2026)

During the US sabotage war against the North, Hon Dau and Do Son lighthouses were one of their targets. Bombs were dropped from planes, artillery was fired from the 7th Fleet. To blockade Hai Phong, the US imperialists dropped naval mines to block the river mouths around Do Son and fiercely destroyed the sea lamp in Hon Dau. In 1967, the 65.8m high lamp left by France was blown down by American bombs. Then we built another lamp. Every night the lamp still flickered as a signal for ships to travel. Photo: Van Toan

Hon Dau light island today has a majestic establishment. Arriving at Hon Dau, visitors can climb up to the lighthouse with a spiral wooden staircase, and go out to the windy circular corridor to admire the vast sea and sky. Photo: Van Toan (August 31, 2026)

In 1986, the lighthouse was rebuilt on the old foundation, and in 1995 it was continued to be repaired and restored to its original shape. The current building is a two-story building, in the middle is a light tower that rises as high as a fortress tower, on top is a lamp with a scope of up to 40 km. Photo: Van Toan (August 31, 2026)

Right below the light tower is the museum of the Maritime Safety Sector. With hundreds of documents, artifacts, and images being displayed here, visitors have the opportunity to learn about the specialty of maritime safety as well as a glorious time against the US imperialist war of destruction and the noble rewards that the state awarded to the Maritime Safety sector in the Northern region. Photo: Van Toan (August 31, 2026)

Along with the Temple of Nam Hai Than Vuong and the complex of 35 red banyan trees aged 400 to 700 years, Hon Dau lighthouse creates a special highlight in the journey to explore Dau Island, Do Son rich in historical and cultural sediments and deeply imbued with the sea and island identity. Photo: Van Toan (August 31, 2026)