Hanoi offers free activities for visitors during National Day holiday

The capital city has become one of the most-searched destinations in Vietnam on the occasion, with searches surging nearly fourfold year-on-year on Agoda.

5-star hotels in Hanoi fully booked

Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper’s observation saw booking rates at five-star hotels near parade routes have exceeded 90 percent, with occupancy reaching 100 percent on September 1.

Hanoi currently has more than 3,700 lodging establishments with over 71,200 rooms, including 30 five-star hotels and apartment complexes.

Among them, more than 3,670 facilities with over 59,200 rooms are not officially rated.

Located at No. 1 Thanh Nien Street, along the route where tanks, military vehicles and special-purpose vehicles pass before reaching Ba Dinh Square, Pan Pacific Hanoi saw high booking rates as soon as the parade route was announced.

Benjamin M. Schwarz, general manager of Pan Pacific Hanoi, said that over the past two months, the hotel had seen strong bookings from international visitors, particularly overseas Vietnamese returning for the 80th National Day.

To enhance the guest experience, the hotel was decorated with National Day-themed displays.

On September 2, the hotel’s restaurants and bars will open earlier than usual to serve guests wishing to watch the parade which starts at around 6:30 am, while many have already booked tables for the evening fireworks.

Homestays with the best views of the parade route along Hang Chao Street, where the procession passes on its way to Ba Dinh Square, are fully booked for all rehearsal days and the main event on September 2.

Plenty of free-of-charge activities

According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism, visitors have many options to explore the capital during the National Day holiday.

Museums under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will open free of charge for both locals and international tourists from September 1 to 3.

The Vietnam Contemporary Arts Theatre will also open free to the public, offering water puppet shows and engaging music and performing arts programs.

Several tourist sites across the city are also offering free activities for visitors, including mosaic painting crafting, pottery bracelet making, and creating recycled ceramic art at Bat Tourism Area; free entry to the Hoang Thanh Thang Long Heritage Site with water puppet shows; guided tours exploring Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, and more.

Also, the Hanoi Department of Tourism is continuing to coordinate with the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Protection Command to serve locals and tourists, with plans to distribute 35,000 gift packages to visitors on September 3.