24 hours of celebrating Independence Day in Hanoi.

Here are some suggested activities to see on September 2nd, as well as some attractions, restaurants, and entertainment venues typical of Hanoi for tourists from Central and Southern Vietnam.

This year's National Day holiday sees Hanoi rise to the top spot on the list of most searched-for destinations by Vietnamese tourists, according to Booking.com. The four-day holiday (August 30th - September 2nd) is the ideal time for tourists from all over the country to visit Hanoi, explore the capital city, and immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere.

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025) and National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025), Hanoi organized a military parade and march, concluding with a fireworks display that illuminated the night sky of the capital.

MORNING

▸ 6:30 AM: Watch the parade and march

According to the plan, the parade will take place from 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM on September 2nd at Ba Dinh Square, featuring 43 contingents of armed forces, militia, civilians, and various vehicles including tanks, tracked vehicles, and wheeled vehicles. After passing the reviewing stand, the parade will proceed along Hung Vuong Street and split into 7 branches heading to their respective assembly points.

Combined marching formations practice on the training ground of the Mieu Mon National Training Center (Hanoi). Photo: Duy Hieu.

Some good locations to watch the parade include : the intersection of Hung Vuong - Nguyen Thai Hoc - Hang Chao, the intersection of Le Duan - Nguyen Thai Hoc, the Cua Nam intersection, the Kim Ma - Lieu Giai intersection, Tran Phu - Nguyen Tri Phuong streets, and the intersection of Hang Khay - Trang Tien.

Visitors should arrive between 1-2 AM or earlier to secure a good spot. At this time, visitors can proactively prepare snacks or eat early to replenish their energy at some eateries that open after midnight, such as the pho stalls on Hang Chieu Street, the banh mi stalls on Dong Xuan Street, the sticky rice stalls on Yen Street, the hot rice cakes on Le Ngoc Han Street, and the pork rib porridge stalls on Huyen Anh Street…

▸ 10:00 AM: Enjoy the historical exhibition

On this occasion, Hanoi is also organizing a number of unique historical exhibitions on various themes to serve the people and tourists.

The Hanoi 1972 exhibition space at the Hanoi Museum. Photo: Thanh Dong.

The "80 Years of National Achievements" exhibition , themed "Independence - Freedom - Happiness," will take place from August 28th to September 5th at the National Exhibition Center (Dong Anh commune). This large-scale exhibition aims to honor the achievements of 80 years of national construction and development.

From August 28th to September 5th, the National Exhibition Center will also host the "Returning to the Sacred Moment with Virtual Reality Technology" exhibition , with free admission. Stepping through the VR gate, visitors will be transported back 80 years to September 2nd, 1945, standing amidst tens of thousands of compatriots, feeling the fervent atmosphere and listening to every word of the Declaration of Independence.

▸ 11:00 AM: Check in at the alleys adorned with red flags and yellow stars.

Several alleys are prominently decorated with red flags bearing yellow stars, offering many beautiful photo opportunities, including Alley 150 Yen Phu, Vong Ha Alley, Alley 823 Hong Ha, Kham Thien Market Alley, Alley 25 Phan Dinh Phung, Alley 477 Kim Ma, and the alley next to Ngoc Ha Temple…

Many streets in Hanoi have been decorated with colorful flags and flowers since the end of August. Photo: Viet Ha.

After checking in, visitors can enjoy a matcha latte at Starbucks in the Hanoi Post Office (Dinh Tien Hoang Street), egg coffee at Pho Co Cafe (Hang Gai Street), Giang Cafe (Nguyen Huu Huan Street), Dinh Cafe (Dinh Tien Hoang Street by Hoan Kiem Lake), or visit The Note Coffee (Luong Van Can Street) to admire the street view.

AFTERNOON

▸ 12-14h: Hanoi Street Food Tour

Dong Xuan Market is the first suggestion; next to the market, there's a small alley selling many traditional dishes such as snail noodle soup, grilled pork noodle soup, shrimp cakes, mixed sweet soup, etc. Prices range from 20,000 to 50,000 VND per dish.

Pho is also a dish worth trying when visiting Hanoi. Photo: Tuan Anh.

Another option for tourists who enjoy experiencing famous eateries is Dong Thinh eel noodle soup (Hang Dieu Street). This restaurant was once selected by Michelin for its "delicious, reasonably priced" list. For over 40 years, it has only sold eel dishes such as noodles, porridge, and soup, with flexible preparation methods and a sweet, delicate flavor thanks to the broth made from eel bones. Prices range from 30,000 to 65,000 VND per serving.

Bun oc Ba Luong (Khuong Thuong Street) also impresses with its slightly thick broth made from green bananas and tofu, served with boiled snails, beef, pork ear sausage, and fried dough sticks. The menu also includes snail meatballs and snails wrapped in betel leaves. The price ranges from 45,000 to 55,000 VND per serving.

If you prefer dry dishes, you can't miss Mrs. Xuan's steamed rice rolls (at Doc Hoe Nhai). The rice flour is ground using a stone mortar and pestle, and the rolls are steamed by hand, resulting in a thin, smooth, and soft wrapper. Inside, there's wood ear mushroom and minced meat filling. It's served with homemade pork sausage, cinnamon sausage, and fried onions. The price is around 40,000 VND per serving.

In addition, some famous restaurants include Bun Cha 74 (Hang Quat Street), Bun Oc Them (Hang Chai Street), Long Lon 16 (Hai Ba Trung Street), Bun Ngan Nhan (Trung Yen Street), Oc Thuy Hang (Nguyen Hoang Street), Pho Vui (Hang Giay Street), etc.

▸ 5 PM: Experience making a personalized seal and drawing portraits.

While strolling through Hanoi's Old Quarter, visitors can come across shops specializing in handcrafted wooden stamps , most concentrated on Hang Quat and To Tich streets. Visitors can choose images at the shop or send their own photos. The craftsmen will then print or draw onto the wood surface and meticulously engrave by hand. The price ranges from 70,000 to 100,000 VND per stamp.

Another interesting activity is getting your portrait painted in the Ho Guom Lake area by lakeside artists. It takes about 15-30 minutes to complete a portrait, with prices ranging from 50,000 to 300,000 VND per painting.

EVENING

▸ 7-8 PM: Try the night tour

Night tours such as the Hoa Lo Prison at Night, exploring the Imperial Citadel, and visiting the Temple of Literature – National University: The Quintessence of Philosophy… usually take place on weekends. If you are in Hanoi on September 2nd, you can participate in the Mysterious Night tour at Ngoc Son Temple . The tour has 5 main parts, corresponding to the distinct architectural areas of Ngoc Son Temple, featuring modern sound, lighting, and projection technology. The tour lasts 30 minutes and costs 268,000 VND per person.

Hanoi has 16 night tourism programs. Photo: Viet Linh.

▸ 9 PM: Watch the spectacular fireworks display

Hanoi will hold high-altitude fireworks displays at five locations, including Hoan Kiem Lake, Thong Nhat Park, Van Quan Lake, My Dinh National Stadium, and West Lake, starting at 9 PM on September 2nd and lasting approximately 15 minutes.

The duration and scale of the performances will be consistent across all locations, creating a vibrant atmosphere throughout the city. Visitors can choose nearby rooftop venues to avoid crowds.

▸ 10 PM: "Cheers!" on Ta Hien Street

Ta Hien Street (Hoan Kiem Ward), also known as the "Western Street," is one of the most vibrant night streets in the capital. In the evening, the street bustles with bars, cafes, acoustic performances, and impromptu street art displays.

Visitors need to park their vehicles on Luong Ngoc Quyen Street or in nearby parking lots, as the Ta Hien area is closed to all vehicles in the evening. Photo: Thach Thao.

Here, visitors can enjoy draft beer, eat boneless chicken feet like American billionaire Jensen Huang, have fun, sing, and have a good time… Some worthwhile bars in the city include Hanoi Blues Bar, Hay Bar, 900 Le Theatre, and Tom's Bar…

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/24-gio-choi-tet-doc-lap-o-ha-noi-post294002.html