Hanoi deploys 1,000+ free public toilets ahead of 80th National Day celebration

THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi has taken a community-driven approach to public hygiene ahead of the upcoming 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, which is expected to draw a large influx of visitors.

More than 1,000 public toilets, including 400 donated by local households, schools, hospitals and businesses, will be freely accessible across the city from August 15 to September 2.

According to the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, the toilets include 612 mobile units in high-demand locations, such as 230 near Ba Đinh Square, 203 along the route to the grandstand, 90 on the exit route, 75 along public viewing areas, and 14 at the five fireworks sites.

The department has also worked with inner-city wards to mobilize 400 additional free toilets from households, schools, and offices. These will operate alongside the mobile units to serve the crowds attending the parade and other commemorative activities.

All community toilets have been marked with waterproof decals reading “Free Toilet,” and their locations have been uploaded to Google Maps. These facilities are concentrated in key wards such as Ba Dinh, Ngoc Ha, Giang Vo, Hoan Kiem, Cua Nam, O Cho Dua, and Hai Ba Trung, all of which are expected to see high visitor density.

A shared civic effort

Since early August, Hanoi Urban Environment Company (URENCO) has worked with local authorities to promote the program, encouraging residents and businesses to open their restrooms to visitors.

Chief of Office of the Hai Ba Trung Ward People’s Committee, Nguyen Minh Huong, said that the Hai Ba Trung Ward has secured 35 participating households and installed 45 mobile toilets in easily accessible spots.

“It is a small gesture but a big sign of hospitality,” said Huong.

The program has seen enthusiastic participation from local businesses.

A café owner on Le Hong Phong Street said her establishment had long allowed walk-in visitors to use its facilities for free. “This is something we should do, and the more places participate, the more friendly and civilized Hanoi’s tourism image will be,” she said.

Others echoed this sentiment. Nguyen Thi Luyen of Hoang Dieu Street in Ba Dinh Ward admitted she was initially skeptical. “I heard about the program from the ward’s loudspeaker announcements and didn’t expect much. But after experiencing the quality of these toilets and the hospitality of the owners, I believe this is a model worth expanding,” she said.

Infrastructure and sanitation boost

URENCO Deputy General Director Nguyen Thanh Son said the company has added to existing toilet infrastructure and prepared reserve units for special cases. Portable toilets have been specially designed for certain areas, and dedicated staff will be stationed at each mobile unit to guide visitors and ensure hygiene.

“Sanitation will be a top priority throughout the events. Street sweeping and washing machines will operate along the parade routes, with workers stationed every 500 meters,” Son told The Hanoi Times.

The city has also ordered the installation of 800 white plastic bag trash bins and mobilized 6,300 youth volunteers to collect litter and promote proper waste disposal.

Nguyen Minh Tan, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, emphasized that the program reflects the responsibility and pride of the city’s residents.

“From installing mobile toilets to opening home restrooms and sweeping streets, these acts, though small, create a welcoming image of Hanoi. The model of community-based free toilets both eases infrastructure pressure and fosters a sense of civic responsibility,” Tan told the Vietnam News Agency.

“The city intends to expand the model for future festivals and large-scale events,” said Tan.

By turning private and institutional restrooms into public resources, Hanoi is not only preparing for the surge in visitors but also setting a precedent for collaborative public services. The project blends government coordination, business participation, and community goodwill, sending a clear message of readiness and unity ahead of one of the country’s most significant anniversaries.

From Ba Dinh Square to the narrow lanes of the Old Quarter, signs reading “Free Toilet” will guide locals and tourists alike, making the celebrations not just grand in scale but also thoughtful in detail. And when the parades march by and fireworks light up the sky, visitors will leave with memories not only of the spectacle but also of a city that cared about their comfort every step of the way.

According to URENCO Deputy General Director Nguyen Thanh Son, the company has coordinated with the Hanoi Youth Union to mobilize 8,800 volunteers to collect trash, provide basic waste sorting guidance, and raise public awareness about avoiding littering along the parade routes and surrounding areas.

“The volunteers’ participation not only strengthens waste collection capacity but also plays a key role in direct communication, reminding the public to follow community hygiene rules,” said Son.

Nguyen Anh Vu, Secretary of Urenco’s Youth Union and Deputy Director of its Ba Dinh branch, said the unit is committed to supporting the public at every stage of organizing the A80 event.

“We always prioritize sanitation, urban aestheticsc and the community. We have carefully prepared infrastructure, equipment, and personnel to ensure all activities take place in a solemn and civilized manner,” said Vu.

The project follows a July 26 directive from the Hanoi People’s Committee outlining the installation of mobile toilets for the celebrations, with the dual aim of meeting sanitation needs and preserving the city’s appearance before and after the event. Once marked, each free toilet location will be uploaded to Google Maps for easy access by residents and visitors.

URENCO leadership has pledged maximum mobilization of staff, vehicles, and equipment to ensure sanitation is maintained throughout the events. The company aims to keep urban areas clean, safe, and welcoming, presenting Hanoi as a green, clean, beautiful, and civilized capital during one of the nation’s most important anniversaries.

Vu said that for many residents and business owners, opening their restrooms is a gesture of goodwill. The collaboration between municipal authorities, companies, and citizens demonstrates not only civic responsibility but also pride in hosting the country’s milestone celebrations.

From the grand parade route through Ba Dinh to the narrow streets of Hoan Kiem, the presence of clearly marked “Free Toilet” signs will ensure visitors enjoy both the spectacle and the comfort of a well-prepared city.