The National Day holiday on September 2, 2025 was a landmark event for Hanoi, witnessing one of its biggest "tourism feasts" in recent memory. The 80th anniversary celebration of the August Revolution and National Day (A80) turned the city into not only the center of political and cultural activities but also a major hotspot for both domestic and international tourists. So, what factors fueled this incredible boost? Let’s dive into three key aspects: the visitor numbers and revenue surge, the standout events and experiences, and the crucial lessons learned for the entire tourism and hospitality industry, with insights from Hotel Link.
During the four- to five-day holiday period (August 30 to September 3), Hanoi welcomed an estimated 2.08 to 2.10 million visitors, a staggering three times higher than the same period in 2024.
Among them, international visitors exceeded 80,000, up about 35% compared to the previous year.
The average occupancy rate at hotels and serviced apartments soared to about 83%, with many 3–5 star hotels fully booked on peak days like September 1st.
The total estimated tourism revenue during the holiday reached nearly VND 4,500 billion, an increase of about 80% year-on-year.
This growth largely came from accommodation, but was also strongly supported by cultural and entertainment events throughout the holiday.
Hanoi was the tourism focal point nationwide, recording much higher visitor numbers than many other provinces and cities. Neighboring areas such as Thanh Hoa even saw a decline in visitors as travelers flocked to the capital.
In terms of visitor numbers and revenue, the National Day holiday of 2025 was a true “explosion,” proving Hanoi’s success in leveraging political–cultural events along with its tourism service capacity.
This was the main event, drawing massive crowds of locals and international visitors who came to witness the solemn, grand spectacle, which included military parades, marching contingents, defense equipment displays, and artistic performances before and after the ceremony.
Visitors were encouraged to view the parade from Ba Dinh Square, central streets such as Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hung Vuong…, or to use public transport and the elevated metro lines (Cat Linh–Ha Dong, Nhon–Hanoi Station) to avoid congestion.
In addition to the official ceremonies, the “Red Ba Dinh” event and the “80 Years of Independence – Freedom – Happiness” exhibition were held, attracting more than 1 million visitors in three days.
Many museums in Hanoi offered free admission from Sept 1–3, along with themed exhibitions such as “Children of the Nation” or “Hanoi – From the Historic Autumn of 1945.”
One of the unique tourism products launched during the holiday, offering visitors the experience of sightseeing the city from the railway.
These spots were buzzing in the evenings, with the city transforming with live music, street performances, and vibrant rooftop venues for tourists.
Fireworks at five locations across the city (Hoan Kiem Lake, My Dinh, Thong Nhat Park, Van Quan Lake, and West Lake) were the highlight of National Day night, attracting thousands of visitors and locals who stayed up late to watch.
Tourists opted for unique means of sightseeing such as vintage vespa tours, jeep city explorations, elevated metro rides, and traditional cyclos – offering both tourism experiences and helping ease traffic congestion during peak days.
Overall, Hanoi carefully prepared for a holiday that both boosted tourism vibrancy and maintained the solemn, responsible atmosphere of hosting a national event.
Integrating Political & Historical Events with Cultural Tourism
Hanoi capitalized on the 80th National Day anniversary, using it as a "gold mine" to attract visitors. The A80 parade, combined with cultural–historical programs widely promoted, drew massive crowds. This demonstrates that when a city skillfully combines solemn celebrations with experiential tourism, it can achieve a dual success in both visitor attraction and cultural value promotion.
Strategy of Opening Free or Low-Cost Attractions
Free museum access, themed exhibitions, the two-story tourist train, and cultural events all made tourism more accessible and encouraged longer stays. These “free attractions” were crucial for retaining visitors, especially during a short holiday.
Thorough Preparation of Infrastructure & Accommodation Services
Occupancy rates of 83–100% showed that Hanoi hotels were well-prepared in lodging, dining, transportation, and tourism experiences. Coordination between the Tourism Department, hotels, and travel agencies ensured smooth guest experiences, preventing shortages of services despite full bookings.
Development of Unique Tourism Products Focused on Experiences
Vintage vespa tours, jeep explorations, and the new two-story train, combined with free cultural programs, created distinctive, attractive products that encouraged tourists to extend their stay and spend more. Hanoi tourism was not just about “sightseeing monuments” but about continuous experiences from day to night.
Wide Promotion & Linking Green Tourism with Cultural–Historical Tourism
Hanoi widely promoted the A80 event series, connecting historical–cultural experiences with green and heritage tourism. Activities such as pedestrian streets, fireworks nights, heritage exhibitions, and street art allowed visitors to experience the capital in a vibrant cultural space that was modern yet authentically traditional.
Read more: How Can Sustainable Tourism in Vietnam Avoid Being Seen as Greenwashing?
The National Day holiday on September 2, 2025 was truly a pivotal moment for Hanoi tourism: welcoming massive visitor numbers, achieving record-high revenue, and successfully organizing both national events and unique tourist experiences. This was clear evidence of organizational capacity, product development creativity, and strong cooperation among authorities, the tourism–hospitality sector, and travel agencies.
If Hanoi continues to build on the lessons learned – especially the delicate combination of solemn celebrations with experiential tourism, and the development of new products tied to culture, history, and unique experiences – the capital can certainly become a leading international destination, not only during major holidays but year-round.
For hotels and tourism operators, Hanoi’s success during this holiday serves as a clear reminder: invest strategically in both the "festivals" (events, culture) and the "services" that support them. This creates powerful, shareable experiences that drive sustainable revenue.
References:
1. Hanoi welcomes nearly 2.1 million visitors during National Day, leading the country in tourism revenue. pbgdpl.hanoi.gov.vn
2. Hanoi captures tourism trends during National Day holiday. bvhttdl.gov.vn
3. Impressive Hanoi tourism during National Day holiday. hanoimoi.vn.
4. Hanoi reaches record revenue and visitor numbers during Sept 2 holiday. vnexpress.net.
5. Hanoi earns over VND 4,500 billion after National Day holiday. tapchihangkhong.vn