Eateries across Hanoi opened overnight to serve free food and provide shelter to thousands of visitors during National Day parade preparations.
During the four days of parade rehearsals, preliminary and final drills for Vietnam’s National Day on September 2, many restaurants and eateries across Hanoi stayed open through the night, providing free meals and resting places for visitors from all over the country.
A coffee shop on Doc Ngu Street run by Thuy Duong provides free food, drinks, and accommodation for those serving the September 2 celebration. Photo: VOV
During this time, particularly when military and ceremonial drills were underway, generous restaurant owners in the capital served free food, drinks, and even offered spaces for people to rest - regardless of rain or late hours.
Not only were the meals nutritious and filling, but many owners also provided plastic chairs for guests to watch the parade comfortably, and kept their restrooms open for public use, offering the warmest welcome possible for out-of-town visitors.
Located on Doc Ngu Street, the café run by Vu Thi Thuy Duong has been bustling in recent days. According to Duong, the free offerings began about a week before the official parade date. Beneficiaries include soldiers, volunteers, and anyone contributing to the National Day event. Additionally, those over 50 years old receive a 50% discount.
When she noticed visitors from faraway provinces without a place to stay - especially on rainy nights - Duong didn’t hesitate to keep her café open overnight to provide shelter and rest.
Meanwhile, the family of Doan Van Son, 32, on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, served over 800 free bowls of seafood vermicelli during the same period.
Son’s mother prepares ingredients for seafood vermicelli.
In addition to food, the family offered drinking water, opened two free public restrooms, and bought more than 100 plastic chairs for people to borrow while watching the parade.
Before handing out food, the entire family helped clean the space, arrange seating, and invite passersby to take a rest on their neatly organized sidewalk.
Linh’s café on Ngoc Ha Street provided free seating for visitors watching the parade. Photo: Lao Dong
At a café on the well-situated Ngoc Ha Street - ideal for watching the parade - owner Do Thuy Linh decided to offer free seating for guests. Linh said she wanted to contribute to the patriotic atmosphere, describing the event as a major celebration for the nation.
Elsewhere, a restaurant on Huynh Thuc Khang Street run by Duong Trong Quy, 42, was especially generous. While operating normally for paying customers, Quy's team offered free meals to war veterans traveling from across the country to attend the parade.
Quy shared that his restaurant can accommodate about 70 people at once, and if informed in advance, they could prepare for more. Prior to the event, his team also distributed over 200 boxes of bottled water and loaves of bread to newly arrived groups.
Quy’s restaurant welcomes veterans with free meals. Photo: Tuoi TreSai Hong Linh from Bac Ninh brought his two children, aged 6 and 9, to Hanoi to watch the parade and stayed overnight at a local restaurant. Photo: ZNews
On Thuy Khue Street in Tay Ho District, Hanoi, Hoa Huong restaurant brought many to tears with a sign reading, “Free overnight stay for people waiting to watch the parade.”
From the night of August 29 to the early morning of August 30, about 70 people - including children and the elderly - spent the night at the restaurant. The owner said the sign was simply placed out front without any formal announcement.
“Seeing people spending the night on the streets to support the soldiers, we decided to open our doors. It was rainy and cold, and we wanted to provide a warm and safe shelter. Here, they can rest, freshen up, or use the restroom,” the restaurant representative shared.
Vietnamnet.vn
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