Save Type Settlement Usage English Pronounced Pron. /haɪ.ˈfɔŋ/ [key·simplify] Other Forms FormsHai Phong Meaning & History From Vietnamese Hải Phòng derived from Sino-Vietnamese 海 (hải) meaning "sea, ocean" and 防 (phòng) meaning "defend, protect, guard". This is the name of a city in northern Vietnam.