Foreign tourists overwhelmed by Hanoi atmosphere as rehearsals begin for National Day parade

From 5 p.m. Nguyen Thai Hoc Street was crowded with people sitting on both sides on the sidewalk, patiently waiting for the start of the first rehearsal for the 80th anniversary pageant on Sept. 2.

“I didn’t know you were preparing for National Day, but the atmosphere here is extraordinary,” a British tourist who identified himself only as Michael said.

Unable to find a taxi back to their hotel, Marta and Rodrigo, a couple from Mexico, had to walk along Nguyen Thai Hoc Street and they too were “overwhelmed” by the atmosphere and crowds along the route.

While Marta could not understand the conversations around her, she said she could clearly feel the joy on everyone’s face.

Rodrigo said the atmosphere in Hanoi was “very different” from what he was used to.

The streets were filled with red flags bearing yellow stars, something he had never seen before.

Pietro, an Italian tourist who had just arrived in Hanoi a day ago from the south, said he had never seen an atmosphere like in Hanoi at the moment.

Claudia (L) and Pietro pose for photos with Vietnamese people lining up to watch the parade in Hanoi on Aug. 21, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Tu Nguyen

What impressed him was the national pride of the Vietnamese, easily visible in the sea of people wearing red shirts on streets lined with national flags.

Over 16,300 troops, dozens of artillery and specialized vehicles from the army and police and delegations from Russia, Laos and Cambodia staged a massive rehearsal at Ba Dinh Square Thursday night.

People line up on both sides of Nguyen Thai Hoc Street in Hanoi from the afternoon of Aug. 21, 2025 to wait for a massive National Day parade rehearsal. Photo by VnExpress/Tu Nguyen Resource: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/places/foreign-tourists-overwhelmed-by-hanoi-atmosphere-as-rehearsals-begin-for-national-day-parade-4930092.html