As the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s August Revolution and National Day approaches, Hanoi is bracing for what many expect to be a historic tourism boom. With a flurry of commemorative activities planned from late August through September 2, 2025, the city is not only the focal point of national pride but also the hottest domestic travel destination for Vietnamese holidaymakers this year.
Preparations across ministries, local authorities, and major tourism businesses have reached a fever pitch, according to reporting from Bao Lao Cai and Tạp chí Công Thương. The Ministry of National Defense, in coordination with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Hanoi city government, will stage a grand military parade and march at Ba Dinh Square on the morning of September 2. This event, marking eight decades since the pivotal moments of 1945, is expected to draw massive crowds and dominate the city’s celebratory atmosphere.
The anticipation is palpable: according to Vietravel Hanoi, nearly half of their 1,200 tour slots for the National Day holiday had already been booked by August 5, with inquiries rising by the day. The surge is not limited to the capital itself. Popular connecting routes—such as Hanoi to Ninh Binh, Ha Long, and Moc Chau—have reported a notable uptick in bookings since the beginning of August, especially for the holiday period running from August 30 to September 2.
Hotel bookings tell a similar story. Data from online platforms like Agoda and Booking.com show Hanoi leading the nation in search trends for the holiday, with search volumes spiking more than 44 times compared to the same period in 2024. The Hanoi Department of Tourism confirmed that hotel room bookings during the National Day period have jumped by 40-50% year-on-year, with many small and medium hotels, as well as homestays, reporting full occupancy from August 30 through September 3. In fact, travelers who waited too long to book accommodations near key event locations—such as Ba Dinh Square, the Old Quarter, and Hoan Kiem Lake—found themselves out of luck, as rooms were snapped up months in advance.
It’s not just about beds and buses. The city and its tourism partners have rolled out a suite of new experiences to entice visitors. Among the most talked-about are the themed tour packages, notably the “Integration with the National Concert” series. These six diverse itineraries blend attendance at the national concert with guided tours of revolutionary landmarks and a free day to soak in the parade, fireworks, and the festive energy of Hanoi’s streets. According to a representative from Xanh Vietnam Travel, tours centered on the parade and related events now account for 30-40% of all domestic tourism products—an impressive increase over the previous year.
Hanoi’s cultural institutions are also pulling out all the stops. From September 1 to 3, major museums—including the Ho Chi Minh Museum, National History Museum, and Vietnam Fine Arts Museum—will open their doors free of charge. Special exhibitions will highlight the 80th anniversary of both the August Revolution and National Day, with displays ranging from large-scale oil paintings to themed showcases like “The People’s Public Security: Remembering Uncle Ho’s Words” and “The Autumn of Independence.” The Vietnam Contemporary Art Theatre and the Cultural Tourism Village of Vietnam’s ethnic groups will also host free events, offering visitors a deep dive into the country’s artistic and multicultural heritage.
At the Cultural Tourism Village, the celebration takes on a particularly vibrant hue. Here, the community will organize traditional highland markets and a series of cultural and musical performances, bringing together ethnic groups from across the nation. These activities, directed by the Department of Ethnic Culture, are designed to showcase the rich diversity and unity of Vietnam’s peoples, providing both locals and tourists with a rare opportunity to experience the country’s living traditions up close.
Nighttime in Hanoi promises to be just as lively. The city has scheduled fireworks displays at five iconic locations—Hoan Kiem Lake, Thong Nhat Park, Van Quan Lake, My Dinh National Stadium, and West Lake—on the evening of September 2. Meanwhile, a range of new nighttime tourism products is being introduced. According to Dang Huong Giang, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, these include inner-city day tours, culinary adventures, cultural experiences, and, most notably, the launch of high-quality night trains. The “Nam Cua O” night train, debuting on August 19, will whisk passengers through the city and out to nearby Bac Ninh, all while immersing them in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Hanoi’s storied past. Riders can enjoy folk performances—such as xam, cheo, and chau van—savor drinks at an onboard bar, and take in the city’s illuminated skyline through panoramic windows. The night train is expected to become a new symbol of Hanoi’s after-dark tourism scene, offering both domestic and international visitors a unique way to experience the capital.
Hanoi’s tourism authorities are not stopping at event planning. In a bid to build a resilient and modern tourism sector, the city is investing in smart tourism solutions. These include self-scheduled tours, integrated digital maps, and multilingual AI-powered apps, all aimed at making the city more accessible for foreign guests. Local travel agencies and hotels have pledged to ensure sufficient staffing and top-notch facilities throughout the holiday.
“Hanoi is not only looking to welcome more visitors during the National Day holiday but is also working towards a long-term goal of creating a smart, diverse, and high-quality tourism ecosystem,” a representative from the Hanoi Department of Tourism told Bao Lao Cai. The department hopes that these innovations will allow both businesses and tourists to thrive, while also promoting Hanoi as a safe, friendly, and attractive destination.
For many, this year’s National Day is about more than just festivities. It’s a moment for Vietnamese people across the country to reconnect with their history and heritage, and for the tourism sector, an opportunity to make a decisive leap forward as the year draws to a close. With demand soaring—Vietravel Hanoi alone reported a 20-25% increase in tour bookings over last year—and hotels filling up at record speed, it’s clear that Hanoi’s blend of tradition, innovation, and celebration is striking a powerful chord.
As the city counts down to September 2, all eyes are on Hanoi. Whether you’re drawn by the spectacle of the parade, the promise of cultural discovery, or simply the electric atmosphere of a city in celebration, there’s never been a more exciting time to experience the capital at its best.
