International tourists "show off" patriotic gifts given by Vietnamese people on the occasion of September 2

Tourists buy scarves and hair clips with the Vietnamese flag in the celebration. (Photo: Minh Anh/Vietnam+)

Visitors to the capital Hanoi these days cannot help but be surprised by the jubilant atmosphere on the streets. From the street corners glowing red with flags, to the bright smiles on the faces of every citizen as they pour out onto the streets to take souvenir photos and wait to see the parade.

Passing through Hung Vuong and Nguyen Thai Hoc streets on a training day, Maria Schober (Austrian nationality) once thought this was a walking street. "I thought that place was a pedestrian area reserved for the people, like in the old quarter. People sat on both sidewalks, wearing red shirts, spreading carpets and eating and drinking like they were going on a picnic. Later I found out that they were waiting to watch the commemorative parade. It was a pretty interesting way to show patriotism," she said with delight.

While many tourists treat themselves to small accessories, Louis and Lucile Violette were luckier.

Mr. and Mrs. Louis and Lucile Violette with small but special gifts. (Photo: Minh Anh/Vietnam+)

Two guests from France said they arrived in Hanoi 10 days ago and had the opportunity to join in the happy day of the Vietnamese people.

Pointing to the stickers on her face and her husband's shirt, Mrs. Lucile excitedly said: "This is a gift we received from a Vietnamese woman when we went to see water puppetry at Thang Long Water Puppet Theater. We went there twice. The first time we were given stickers and a hand-held flag, the second time we were given these two stickers. I feel that Vietnamese people are very friendly and lovely."

The grandparents were impressed by the adorable boys and girls waving flags and wearing red flags with yellow stars on their faces. "Everywhere people were excited. I really feel privileged to be in Vietnam these days," Mrs. Lucile shared.

A group of international visitors walk amidst the colorful atmosphere of Hanoi. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Hang Bong Street near the Old Quarter also has many foreigners passing by, choosing to buy Vietnamese "patriotic fashion " items these days.

Mr. Huy Tuan, owner of a souvenir shop on Hang Bong Street, commented that this year sales have increased by 30-40%. The products have become more diverse. The number of foreign visitors to the shop has also increased at this rate.

"The items include shirts, hats, caps, hair clips, scarves... Scarves are a new item this year, and are also very popular. Prices range from twenty thousand to several hundred thousand, remaining stable as usual. Foreign tourists also choose to buy a variety of things, some buy scarves, some buy stickers, and put them on their bodies to look no different from Vietnamese people," the shop owner happily shared.

Tourists wearing national flag-colored hats take souvenir photos at Ngoc Son Temple. (Photo: Khieu Minh)

Earlier in May, the Hanoi Department of Tourism said the number of guests booking rooms for the September 2 holiday increased by about 30%-40% compared to the same period in 2024.

In particular, many hotels and accommodation facilities in Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh districts around the area where the main activities of the Festival will take place are 70%-100% full.

Many free tours of historical sites, new tours to experience cuisine, visit cultural destinations, entertainment... in Hanoi as well as connecting with neighboring tourist areas have started early, promising to create memorable experiences for international visitors to the capital in particular and Vietnam in general on this occasion.