As Vietnam approaches the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, 2025, all eyes are on Hanoi—a city brimming with anticipation, vibrant festivities, and a record-breaking tourism surge. According to data from the hotel booking platform Agoda, searches for accommodation in Hanoi during this year’s National Day holiday skyrocketed more than 44 times compared to the same period in 2024. Booking.com echoed this trend, reporting that Hanoi topped the list of destinations most sought after by Vietnamese travelers.
This unprecedented interest is more than just a flurry of online clicks. Across the country, families like the Tuans from Da Nang have been making concrete plans since early summer, determined to give their children the chance to witness the historic military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day. “We booked our hotel in central Hanoi through Agoda over a month ago, even though the price was higher than usual. We wanted a convenient spot and also secured tickets for the Temple of Literature, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, and a city tour around West Lake,” Mr. Tuan shared. Their story is far from unique.
International travelers are also flocking to the Vietnamese capital. Mark Reynolds, a tourist from the UK, reserved a hotel room near Ba Dinh Square at the start of August, eager not to miss the spectacle of the anniversary celebrations. “I wanted to experience the parade and immerse myself in the festival atmosphere. I’ve also signed up for tours of the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and historical sites like the Temple of Literature,” Reynolds explained, highlighting the city’s draw for those seeking both culture and celebration.
By mid-August, the city’s hotel rooms—especially those in central locations—were nearly fully booked. Mai Phuong Hoa, who runs a hotel on Hang Bac street, noted, “All our rooms have been reserved since mid-August. Some guests have booked three nights in a row to enjoy the entire holiday. Families from Ho Chi Minh City keep calling, hoping for extra rooms close to the parade and fireworks.” Even some foreign visitors, arriving by chance during this period, have willingly paid above-listed prices just to secure a place to stay.
It’s not just accommodation that’s in demand. According to Saigontourist’s Hanoi branch, registrations for parade tours have jumped 20% compared to last year. These tours now extend beyond the capital’s core, reaching out to northern gems like Sa Pa, Ninh Binh, Ha Long, and Moc Chau. For overseas Vietnamese, this is a journey “back to their roots,” blending cultural heritage, natural beauty, and the unique rhythm of the capital and its surrounds.
Tour operators have moved quickly to meet this demand, securing large blocks of rooms and distributing guests to hotels and homestays 10 to 15 kilometers from the city center. “Guests booking late are still satisfied with accommodations a short ride away from Ba Dinh Square. They can easily reach the parade and still enjoy the festive atmosphere,” said Nguyen Hoai Thu, director of Saigontourist’s Hanoi branch. For many, the quality and safety of these peripheral lodgings are more than enough compensation for the extra travel.
Meanwhile, Nguyen Tien Dat, director of AZA Travel, noted a shift in holiday preferences. “This year, sales of outbound tours to places like Thailand, Singapore, China, South Korea, Japan, the UAE, Turkey, Europe, and the US are slower. Many Vietnamese are choosing to stay in Hanoi for the special festival atmosphere. Tour demand has doubled or even tripled compared to last year,” he observed. To ease pressure on the city center, travel agencies have designed two main types of products: one focusing on inner-city highlights—Ba Dinh Square, the Temple of Literature, the Imperial Citadel, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Old Quarter, with night markets and the city’s vibrant evening economy—and another targeting the suburbs with museums, historical sites, ethnic villages, eco-tourism, and the newly opened National Exhibition Center in Dong Anh, which will host a major exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary.
Of course, such a massive influx of visitors requires caution. Travelers are advised to use public transportation to avoid the notorious Hanoi traffic jams, especially on parade day, and to be vigilant against scams selling cheap rooms online. “If you want to explore freely, prioritize public transport over private vehicles to avoid congestion and help ease the city’s load,” travel experts recommend. With central hotels now fully booked, visitors are encouraged to consider accommodations in outlying districts or at resorts and homestays in Ba Vi and Soc Son—options that combine convenience, proximity to nature, and reasonable prices.
Hanoi’s authorities and tourism sector have left little to chance. According to the city’s July 2025 socio-economic report, Hanoi welcomed an estimated 18.36 million visitors in the first seven months of the year, an 11.6% increase over 2024. International arrivals reached 4.21 million, up 22.3%, with nearly 3 million staying overnight. Domestic tourism remained robust as well, totaling 14.15 million visitors. Tourism revenue hit 73 trillion VND, a 14.5% jump compared to last year. Cultural activities played a significant role: historical sites welcomed 2.3 million guests, and city art troupes staged nearly 1,500 performances, attracting over 470,000 spectators.
To meet the surge, Hanoi’s tourism industry has rolled out the red carpet with an array of events and experiences. The city has organized festivals, exhibitions, and special displays such as the "Sharp Pen, Loyal Heart" exhibition at Hoa Lo Prison, the "Autumn of Independence" display at the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the "Popular Education—Lighting the Future" show at the National History Museum. For the first time, the Cipher Bunker at the Imperial Citadel—a key site during the war—will open to the public. The new National Exhibition Center in Dong Anh is set to host large-scale cultural and artistic events, including the "VConcert—Radiant Vietnam" and "Vietnam in My Heart." Other venues like My Dinh National Stadium and August Revolution Square will feature grand music and arts programs, while light shows will illuminate Hoan Kiem Lake and August Revolution Square.
On September 2, the highlight will be the grand parade at Ba Dinh Square, followed by fireworks at five locations across the city. Many museums and theaters will offer free entry from September 1 to 3, and 35,000 gifts are expected to be distributed to visitors paying respects at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. The city has also introduced 80 standout tourism products across eight themes, from heritage and culture to cuisine and wellness. Among the most novel is the "Nam Cua O" double-decker train, inspired by the ancient gates of Thang Long, offering passengers a unique city tour with performances of traditional music on board.
Hanoi’s hospitality sector is up to the challenge, with 3,761 accommodation facilities and over 71,000 rooms, including 85 hotels rated from one to five stars. High-end hotels have rolled out special packages featuring spa services, culinary experiences, and exclusive gifts. Restaurants near event sites have crafted special menus blending traditional and contemporary flavors, and night food markets are ready to delight visitors with distinctive local fare. The city has also called on businesses to open free public restrooms and ensure cleanliness, safety, and food hygiene throughout the festivities.
With meticulous preparation, a wealth of attractions, and the promise of unforgettable experiences, Hanoi is poised not just to honor its storied past, but to seize a golden opportunity for tourism and economic growth. As the city welcomes an expected 1.5 million visitors over four days, the 80th anniversary of National Day looks set to be both a heartfelt tribute and a springboard for the capital’s future ambitions.
