The parades and celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and Vietnam’s National Day on September 2 are driving a tourism boom, making Hanoi the country’s top holiday destination this year.

According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism, hotel bookings for the holiday period have surged 40–50% compared to last year. Many central hotels have already sold out from August 30 to September 3 on online booking platforms.

A25 Hotel, with 40 properties across Hanoi, has reached 90% occupancy for the holiday, with remaining rooms mostly in outlying districts like My Dinh and Cau Giay. Room rates range from USD 20 to USD 160 per night, unchanged for the holiday.

At upscale 4–5-star hotels, prices start from USD 80 per night, with bookings climbing daily. Many expect this to be the busiest September 2 holiday on record, as the date normally falls outside Hanoi’s peak tourism season.

Pullman Hanoi, with 237 rooms, sold out entirely for August 30–September 2 nearly a month in advance. Located on Cat Linh Street, just 10 minutes from the Old Quarter and in a prime parade-viewing spot, rooms are priced between USD 110–125 per night.

Grand Mercure Hanoi, near the Temple of Literature, has 60% occupancy on September 1 and 50% on September 2, aiming for 80–90% by the holiday. It is offering themed packages, special “revolutionary feast” menus, and 2/9 decorations.

Pan Pacific Hanoi, with 328 rooms and serviced apartments, has reached 73% bookings, mainly from Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces. It offers packages from USD 170 per night for couples and USD 215 for families.

Other luxury hotels such as Novotel Hanoi, Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake, and Lotte Hotel Hanoi also report significantly higher bookings than in previous years. While many 4–5-star hotels have kept rates stable or increased them only 5–10%, budget accommodations, especially in Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh, have doubled their prices.

The holiday has also sparked a boom in tailor-made tours. Travel companies are offering themed itineraries combining Hanoi with nearby destinations like Ninh Binh, Ha Long, Mai Chau, and Moc Chau. BenThanh Tourist, Saigontourist, Du Lich Viet, and Hanoitourist have launched packages from USD 415 to USD 450, including city tours, cycling trips, culinary experiences, and unique visits such as the wartime bomb shelter at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.

Recent tourism innovations in Hanoi include the “Nam Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Road” tour, Dao herbal bathing in Ba Vi, and new high-quality night trains like Sjourney, Hoa Phuong Do, and the “Nam Cua O” heritage route starting August 19.

Linh Trang