Vietnam Life

Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 09:51 GMT+7

French restaurateur welcomes Vietnam’s National Day with flags

These days, diners to B TÔNG, a restaurant in Hanoi, are often pleasantly surprised to see the French owner decorating the space with Vietnamese flags and newspaper clippings in celebration of Vietnam’s National Day on September 2.

French restaurateur welcomes Vietnam’s National Day with flags

Nick, a French citizen and owner of a restaurant on Ngoc Khanh Street in Hanoi, chats with diners in Vietnamese. Photo: Mai Thuong / Tuoi Tre

Nick, a French national, fell in love with the country thanks to his Vietnamese wife, Hong My, whom he met in Paris.

Inspired by her stories about Vietnam’s history and culture, the couple decided to open a Vietnamese street-style restaurant on Ngoc Khanh Street.

“At the end of July, one of my staff mentioned that Vietnam’s National Day would be in early September. I was curious, so I asked my wife about it. She showed me a video of President Ho Chi Minh reading the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square [in 1945] in Hanoi,” Nick recalled.

“I didn’t fully understand Vietnamese, but my wife translated it into French. I was deeply moved at that moment."

Every day, Nick and Hong My pass by Ba Dinh Square on their way to work.

Seeing locals waving red flags with yellow stars in front of the mausoleum inspired Nick to bring the festive mood into his restaurant.

He personally hung Vietnamese flags around the space and adorned empty walls with Hanoi-themed newspaper clippings.

The Frenchman even joined his staff in practicing dances to Vietnamese songs, preparing to perform before diners on September 2.

French restaurateur welcomes Vietnam’s National Day with flags- Ảnh 1.

Nick, the French owner of a restaurant on Ngoc Khanh Street in Hanoi, decorates his restaurant with Vietnamese flags. Photo: Mai Thuong / Tuoi Tre

“Before meeting Hong My, my knowledge of Vietnam was nothing. Thanks to her, I have been living here and connecting with the people and their culture. Proud to be a son-in-law of Vietnam!” Nick said with sincerity and a touch of humor.

The holiday cheer is spreading in Hanoi with many food businesses joining the festivities.

A bakery on Tran Quoc Toan Street, for example, has reimagined classic French croissants and macarons in red with a yellow star, inspired by the Vietnamese flag.

“These creative treats have attracted tourists. It’s a way to introduce Vietnam’s resilience and pride to international friends,” said Bich Phuong, the owner of To The Moon and Back.

Beyond restaurants and cafés, businesses are crafting themed items such as stickers, scarves, and T-shirts to give to customers during the special occasion, adding to the festive atmosphere of the coming National Day.

Vinh Tho - Mai Thuong / Tuoi Tre News

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