Hanoi National Day pageant becomes tourism magnet

“I bought my plane ticket to Hanoi in early July and have already booked my hotel,” Nguyen Ngoc Huong Trang, 28, of Ho Chi Minh City said.

Trang attended April’s Reunification Day parade in HCMC and is now heading north to witness the National Day celebrations.

Travel companies said they are seeing a major spike in demand, particularly in southern provinces. Hotel occupancy in the city center is nearing capacity, and room rates have doubled or tripled. Some late groups are staying outside the city or in nearby provinces, visiting Hanoi just for the day.

Pham Anh Vu, deputy CEO of Du Lich Viet, said: “This National Day parade will bring a wave of travelers from the south. It’s an opportunity for Hanoi tourism.”

A formation of 10 helicopters rehearses for Vietnam’s 80th National Day in Hanoi, July 30, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

Some 60% of travelers from the south are choosing full-package tours, according to Tran Thi Bao Thu, marketing director at Vietluxtour.

International interest is rising as well. Vietluxtour has reported increased bookings from Australia, South Korea and Europe, with many visitors opting for extended holiday tours from HCMC to Hanoi.

Hanoi is offering them different experiences: one-day city tours, countryside trips, street food and culture walks, and night tours.

One of the most popular packages includes a visit to the Vietnam Military History Museum and tickets to a national concert.

Visitors cruise on waterways in Ninh Binh Province near Hanoi. Photo courtesy of Vietluxtour

Hanoi is still the top holiday spot, but places like Hoi An City and Phu Quoc Island are also popular.

Combination tours of Hanoi and scenic destinations like Ninh Binh and Ha Long, including hotels near the parade, are attracting great interest.

Police vehicles rehearse for the National Day parade in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

Hanoi’s tourist scene is also expanding beyond the parade. New experiences include herbal baths in Ba Vi Commune, farm visits in Tich Loc Commune and village tours on the southern outskirts.

Hanoi is also expanding its appeal after dark, with 20 new night tourism experiences now available. These include the bell-ringing ritual at Quan Thanh Temple and a recreated “subsidy-era” street in Truc Bach Lake, where late U.S. Senator John McCain was shot down and taken prisoner during the Vietnam War.

The city has received 4.2 million international visitors so far this year, a 22% jump from 2024, and tourism revenues have climbed 15% to VND73 trillion ($2.78 billion), according to the local Department of Tourism.

Resource: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/places/hanoi-national-day-pageant-becomes-tourism-magnet-4923018.html