Hanoi tourism gears up for 2025’s grand anniversary celebration

THE HANOI TIMES — The Hanoi Department of Tourism will launch a series of unique tourism products to bring profound cultural and historical experiences to residents and visitors on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and Vietnam’s National Day.

Hanoi gets ready for big celebrations 

The department's Director Dang Thi Huong Giang said that Hanoi is ready to serve the peak season that will fall in the second half of 2025, especially big holidays that will take place in late August and early September.

“Tourism, travel, and accommodation businesses in Hanoi are committed to fully preparing human resources and facilities to serve the National Day. Currently, the room booking rate in central districts such as Ba Dinh and Hoan Kiem varies between 70% and nearly 100%,” she added.

In particular, the heat of the National Day celebration has put Hanoi among the top destinations most searched by Vietnamese tourists. The highlight of the National Day celebration will be the official ceremony and parade on the morning of September 2, beginning at 6:30 AM in Ba Dinh Square, the historic site where President Ho Chi Minh declared the nation's independence in 1945.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, the commemorative parade will feature approximately 40,000 participants, including government officials, military units, artists, and civilians. The vibrant program will include a torch relay, solemn flag-raising ceremony, keynote speeches, military parades, and large-scale mass art performances, symbolizing Vietnam’s unity, strength, and cultural pride.

In addition, five of Hanoi’s most iconic cultural and historical attractions will open their doors free of charge for all visitors, both local and international. From September 1 to 3, visitors can enjoy free admission to the must-visit locations in Hanoi, including the Ho Chi Minh Museum (Ba Dinh Ward); Vietnam National Museum of History (Trang Tien Ward); Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts (Van Mieu Ward); Vietnam Contemporary Arts Theatre (Giang Vo Ward); and Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism (Son Tay Town).

Throughout these days, museums and cultural institutions will host special exhibitions and thematic displays, offering deeper insight into Vietnam’s diverse heritage, revolutionary history, and artistic soul.

Special tourism offerings

In addition to a series of vibrant cultural activities throughout the capital, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism Dang Huong Giang said that Hanoi has also built many new tourism products such as inner-city day tours, suburban tours, culinary tours, cultural experiences and night tours to explore Hanoi.

One-to-two-day tours linking Hanoi with neighboring provinces such as Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh are also being promoted. The city plans some new walking spaces or community cultural spaces to serve locals and international tourists.

To attract tourists, the capital's tourism industry has specially introduced unique night tourism products, bringing profound and novel cultural and historical experiences like the “Bell of Tran Vu” night tour at Quan Thanh Temple, the “Nam Thang Long Heritage Road” travel route, and “Study Path” tour.

The city will introduce high-quality night trains from August 19, notably the “Hanoi Five Gates” tourist train that will officially launch on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution (August 19, 1945). This unique experience also integrates the artistic space imbued with the traditional culture of the capital's folk-art stage with genres such as Xam, Cheo, and Chau Van.

Accordingly, visitors can enjoy drinks at the bar and skylight space while admiring the night view of Hanoi. The train runs 2 trips/day, including the route connecting Hanoi with Tu Son Ward, Bac Ninh Province and the route around the inner city at night, helping visitors enjoy a lively space of ancient Hanoi in the heart of the modern city. The train also enhances the experience of spiritual and historical culture, expanding the journey to explore the rich suburban areas when combined with the electric car to visit Do Temple in Bac Ninh Province.

Local tourism leaders expect that with attractive products, especially the “Hanoi Five Gates” train, the city's tourism industry will reap many good results in the second half of 2025.