Hanoi: A magnet for tourists on National Day holiday
With an exciting array of new cultural experiences and tourism offerings, Hanoi emerges as a top domestic destination, drawing a surge of visitors during Vietnam’s National Day celebrations on September 2.
THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi is rolling out a series of stimulus programs to attract visitors to welcome people and tourists during the Vietnam’s National Day holiday.
An irresistible tourist destination
A tourist captures memorable moments and checks in at historic Ba Dinh Square ahead of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day. Photos: Duy Khanh/The Hanoi Times
As Hanoi becomes the focal point of national attention with a large-scale military parade at Ba Dinh Square alongside a series of events, the capital is expected to see a sharp rise in tourist arrivals, adding vibrancy to the northern tourism market.
The appeal of Hanoi during this year’s National Day has prompted Le Thu Huong, Director of a high-end building cleaning service in Thai Binh Ward, Hung Yen Province, to organize a company trip to the capital for the holiday period.
She shared with The Hanoi Times: “From early August, we booked an entire serviced apartment building in Ngoc Ha Ward, Hanoi, for three days to facilitate travel to August Revolution Square. Our 25 staff members are extremely excited to experience this ‘patriotic tour’- a once-in-80-years event.”
Like many other tourists from across the country, Huong wishes to immerse herself in the solemn atmosphere of this historic national celebration, while also expressing love for the homeland.
Hanoi bathed in the gentle beauty of early autumn.
According to the latest report released by Booking.com on August 12, 41% of Vietnamese tourists expressed interest in traveling during the holiday period. Hanoi ranked highest in popularity, with a significant spike in bookings between August 29 and September 3.
Hanoi has emerged as a focal point of interest. As 31% of travelers are motivated by major and special events, it comes as no surprise that the capital has topped the list of most-searched domestic destinations, attracting solo travelers, families, and groups of friends eager to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere.
A representative from the Hanoi Red Tour stated that the tourist demographic heading to Hanoi on this occasion is quite diverse. Most younger travelers tend to book separate services such as airline tickets or hotel rooms to plan flexible, self-guided tours.
Once they finalize their sightseeing plans, these tourists often add on services such as transportation to various attractions or tickets to cultural and historical landmarks, scenic spots, and museums.
A charming Hanoi café dressed in red national flags for the holiday spirit.
In contrast, families often prefer full-package tours, which include airfare and guided experiences in Hanoi during the National Day holiday.
After attending the main parade events on September 2, these tourists tend to take the opportunity to visit attractions in the city center and nearby provinces,” the representative said.
In response to the surge in tourists, the Hanoi Department of Tourism has confirmed the city’s preparedness to meet accommodation demands during the holiday period. Currently, hotel room bookings for the holiday have increased by approximately 40% to 50% compared to the same period last year. Hotels rated three stars and above in the Old Quarter are seeing occupancy rates of 80% to 95%, with many central hotels fully booked from August 30 to September 3.
Eighty tourism offerings unveiled
Celebrate the 80th National Day in style: Hanoi is the place to be
Hanoi’s tourism industry is unveiling a range of exciting new products and programs designed to attract and welcome visitors during the National Day holiday.
The Hanoi Department of Tourism has curated a collection of 80 signature tourism experiences, thoughtfully organized into key thematic categories.
These include: Heritage, cultural, and historical tourism; Ecotourism, resorts, and nature-based experiences; Culinary discovery, shopping, and urban exploration; Hanoi night tours and creative art experiences; Hotel-based product and service experiences; Multi-modal Hanoi tours (by road, metro, waterway, air); Craft village and new rural area explorations; Interconnected tours from Hanoi to neighboring provinces and international destinations
Currently, the department is coordinating with Hanoi Railway and local travel businesses to survey and develop tourism products along Metro Line No. 2A (Ha Dong - Cat Linh).
With a total length of 13 kilometers and 12 stations, the metro line is expected to ease traffic congestion and offer a convenient, environmentally friendly way to explore the capital. Along the route, visitors can easily access a wide range of cultural, historical, culinary, and entertainment destinations at each stop.
International tourists to Hanoi.
Additionally, tourism offerings such as the Tran Vu Bell experience at Quan Thanh Temple, the Nam Thang Long Heritage Road, and Study Road tours guide visitors through a network of relics, pagodas, and ancient villages tied to the educational and cultural legacy of Thang Long- Hanoi. Experiences like visiting the traditional medicine village of the Dao ethnic group in Mien Village (Ba Vi Commune) are also expected to draw significant interest.
According to the plan, detailed information on these 80 signature tourism products will be officially released to visitors and businesses starting August 13, promising a vibrant and meaningful holiday travel season.
As Hanoi proudly commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam August Revolution and National Day, the city invites people to embark on a historical journey enriched by vibrant celebrations of culture, cuisine, and creativity. Whether drawn by grand parades, immersive heritage tours, or the distinctive charm of local life, visitors to the capital city can expect an unforgettable experience this holiday season.
