Free activities to enjoy in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang on National Day

Vietnamese civil servants and public employees are enjoying a five-day National Day break this year following a workday swap.

The two official public holidays fall on Tuesday, September 1 and Wednesday, September 2.

As Monday, August 31 falls between the weekend and the two holidays, it is swapped with a working Saturday, creating a five-day break from Saturday, August 29 through Wednesday, September 2.

Free admission to 17 tourist attractions in Hanoi

Hanoi is offering free admission to 17 tourist attractions, historical sites, and cultural facilities on Wednesday.

The sites include the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Temple of Literature, Ngoc Son Temple, Hoa Lo Prison, Co Loa Citadel, Huong Son scenic area (Perfume Pagoda), the historical site at 22 Hang Buom Street, the Heritage House at 87 Ma May Street, Hanoi Museum, Bach Ma Temple, Kim Ngan Communal House, De Quan Temple, the Hanoi Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Center, Quan Thanh Temple, Duong Lam Ancient Village, Thay Pagoda, Tay Phuong Pagoda, and Co Loa Heritage Site.

However, the free-admission policy is not identical at every site.

Hoa Lo Prison, for example, has announced that it will offer free admission only on Wednesday, and the policy applies to Vietnamese citizens.

The Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Doai Phuong Commune will also welcome visitors free of chaảge the same day.

From August 29 to September 2, the site is hosting the 'Highland Market - Highlands in Festival' program, featuring traditional handicrafts, local cuisine, folk games, and cultural performances representing ethnic communities from across Vietnam.

The Vietnam Military History Museum is also opening with free admission from on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Art performances, firewroks displays in Ho Chi Minh City

On Wednesday evening, Ho Chi Minh City will stage fireworks at seven locations for 15 minutes from 9:00 pm to 9:15 pm.

Three sites will feature a combination of high- and low-altitude fireworks, including the area at the entrance to Saigon River Tunnel in An Khanh Ward, the New City Center in Binh Duong Ward, and Tam Thang Tower Square in Vung Tau Ward.

Four low-altitude fireworks displays will be staged at Ba Ria Square Park in Ba Ria Ward, Dam Sen Cultural Park in Binh Thoi Ward, the Saigon Marina IFC tower area in Saigon Ward, and the Kim Long villa area near Rach Dia Bridge in Nha Be Commune.

Ahead of the fireworks, an artistic program will begin at 7:30 pm at three venues, including Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, an outdoor stage at the New City Center Park in Binh Duong Ward, and Ba Ria Square Park in Ba Ria Ward.

Metro line 1, connecting Ben Thanh and Suoi Tien, in Ho Chi Minh City will also increase train frequency, extend operating hours, and offer free rides to all passengers on Wednesday.

A total of 264 train trips will be operated on Wednesday, up from 228 on a normal day, with service running from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm.

From 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm, trains will run five minutes apart to accommodate passengers attending the National Day fireworks display.

All passengers will travel free of charge on the metro that day.

They can access the service by scanning a chip-based identity card or citizen ID card at ticket gates, using an HCMC METRO QR code on the HCMC Metro HURC app, or obtaining a free QR-coded paper ticket from automated kiosks.

Four museums in Da Nang waive admission fees

In Da Nang, four museums will waive admission fees on Wednesday.

They are the Da Nang Museum, Da Nang Fine Arts Museum, the second campus of the Da Nang Museum, and the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture.

The Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, which houses 12 national treasures and a large collection of Cham artifacts, will organize additional cultural activities, including a 'Champa Dance' performance and handpan music performances for visitors.