24 hours to enjoy 'Independence Day' in Hanoi: Activities not to be missed

Where should 'tourists' eat pho, sit at which coffee shop, take photos of which places... to see a Hanoi that is both familiar and strange on Independence Day?

Hanoi is the most popular destination for locals and tourists on the occasion of National Day September 2 this year - Photo: NAM TRAN

This year’s National Day holiday takes place from August 29 to September 3. Hanoi has risen to the top of the list of most searched destinations by Vietnamese tourists, according to Booking.com.

The four-day holiday is the ideal time for tourists to come to Hanoi to explore the city and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the national holiday of September 2, which only occurs once every 80 years.

Before the parade, visitors can refer to some activities to fully enjoy the Independence Day atmosphere in the capital.

Beef noodle soup - a typical breakfast dish of Hanoi people - Photo: NAM TRAN

6am - 8am: Eat pho with fried dough sticks, drink iced tea

A bowl of traditional beef pho with rich broth, soft and chewy noodles eaten with fried breadsticks is the ideal choice to start a new day in Hanoi.

From Ba Dinh Square to the Old Quarter, there are many famous pho restaurants, such as Pho Khoi Hoi; Pho Lam (Phung Hung); Pho Thin Bo Ho (61 Dinh Tien Hoang, opposite Hoan Kiem Lake)...

These are all long-standing pho restaurants in Hanoi, loved by locals, some of which are nominated by Michelin, and have since attracted many Western guests to enjoy. The average price is 50,000-80,000 VND/bowl.

8:30-11:00: Check-in 'vibe' Hanoi Independence Day

After breakfast, visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee, admire the unique architectural works and immerse themselves in the lifestyle of Hanoi people.

Some alleys are decorated with red flags for easy photo hunting such as: alley 150 Yen Phu, alley Vong Ha, alley 823 Hong Ha, alley Cho Kham Thien, alley 25 Phan Dinh Phung, alley 477 Kim Ma, alley next to Ngoc Ha communal house...

Any street corner in Hanoi these days becomes a beautiful photo backdrop for tourists - Photo: HOA LE

In addition, visitors can sit and drink lemon tea at the Great Church (40 Nha Chung), Hanoi Opera House (1 Trang Tien), drink Starbucks at the Hanoi Post Office (75 Dinh Tien Hoang) - a place that has been causing a fever recently, enjoy the specialty egg coffee at Pho Co Coffee (11 Hang Gai) or Giang Coffee (Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem), Dinh Coffee (13 Dinh Tien Hoang Street next to Hoan Kiem Lake).

These locations are all within the Old Quarter, convenient to travel by motorbike. Or if you want to see the city from above, visitors can buy a double-decker bus ticket for 150,000-400,000 VND/person depending on the route.

11:30-14:00: Hanoi culinary food tour

Dong Xuan Market is the first suggestion for tourists. Next to the market, there is a small alley selling many traditional dishes such as vermicelli with snails, vermicelli with grilled pork, shrimp cakes, mixed sweet soup... Prices range from 20,000 - 50,000 VND/dish.

In addition, visitors can also find many familiar dishes throughout the streets of Hanoi such as bun cha (Gam Cau street), bun dau (Hang Khay), Michelin eel vermicelli (Hang Dieu), Thanh Van rice rolls (14 Hang Ga), bun thang (48 Cau Go), La Vong fish cakes (14 Cha Ca)...

Shop selling handmade wooden stamps in Hanoi's Old Quarter - Photo: NAM TRAN

14:00-17:30: Experience making personal stamps, drawing portraits

In the afternoon, walking in Hanoi's Old Quarter, visitors can come across small shops making handmade seals, most of which are concentrated on Hang Quat and To Tich streets.

Customers can choose images directly at the store or send image files according to their preferences. These images are printed or drawn on the surface by the craftsman, then measured and engraved by hand.

In addition to patterns such as seal script and engravings, today seals have also become souvenirs with diverse contents. Price 70,000 - 100,000 VND.

Another unique and interesting activity for tourists when experiencing the capital is having portraits drawn at Hoan Kiem Lake by the "lakeside painters". It takes about 15-30 minutes to complete a portrait, with prices ranging from 50,000 - 300,000 VND/painting.

Drinking Ta Hien beer like Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Nvidia CEO - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

19:00-22:00: Hanoi Night

Ta Hien Western Street (Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem) is one of the most vibrant night streets in the capital. This is a place loved by many Western tourists with activities such as sipping draft beer, eating boneless chicken feet like American billionaire Jensen Huang, freely having fun, singing together on the street...

Visitors should park their vehicles on Luong Ngoc Quyen Street or nearby parking lots, because Ta Hien area prohibits motorbikes and cars at night.

In addition, visitors can also visit Dao Duy Tu food street or take photos and shop for souvenirs on Hang Ma street...

The celebration, parade, and march to mark the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2) were held in Hanoi with the participation of about 30,000 delegates and people. The city is expected to welcome millions of domestic and foreign tourists to visit and participate in the activities.

In addition to the series of activities, Hanoi will organize 5 fireworks display locations at Hoan Kiem Lake, Thong Nhat Park, Van Quan Lake, My Dinh National Stadium and West Lake.

NG. THANH THUY

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/24-gio-tan-huong-ngay-doc-lap-o-ha-noi-nhung-hoat-dong-khong-the-bo-lo-20250815161750.htm