Hanoi sees boom in international arrivals over National Day holiday, up 35% year on year

Over the four-day holiday from August 30 to September 2, total arrivals tripled compared with the same period in 2024, generating more than VND4.5 trillion (US$171.3 million) in tourism revenue.

Among foreign tourists during the four-day holiday, China, South Korea, India, Taiwan, the US, Japan, the UK, and Australia were the top source markets.

This year’s celebrations drew particular attention as Hanoi hosted major events marking the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2), most notably the grand military parade and procession at Ba Dinh Square.

Even rehearsal sessions ahead of the official day attracted unusually large crowds.

An exhibition showcasing 80 years of national achievements also stood out as a highlight, welcoming more than one million visitors within its first three days of opening.

Hotel occupancy across Hanoi averaged around 83 percent, with many three- to five-star properties in the city center fully booked on September 1.

Hotels such as Pan Pacific Hanoi, Novotel Hanoi Thai Ha, La Casa Hanoi, and Grand Mercure, located along the parade route, reported 100 percent occupancy.

In addition to iconic landmarks such as the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and Mot Cot (One Pillar) Pagoda, new attractions like Lotte Mall Tay Ho and Vinhomes Ocean Park drew large crowds of holidaymakers.

Looking ahead, Hanoi’s tourism sector aims to welcome more than 30 million visitors in 2025, an increase of 11.1 percent from 2024, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

This target includes seven million international arrivals, up 27.3 percent year on year, and around 23 million domestic travelers, representing a seven-percent growth rate from last year.