Hanoi Braces for National Day as Accommodation and Viewing Spots Sell Out
As Vietnam prepares to celebrate National Day on September 2nd, Hanoi is experiencing a surge in demand for accommodation and prime viewing locations along the parade route. The official parade, featuring over 16,000 participants, including marching bands, static displays, and military vehicles, has ignited significant interest, leading to widespread booking challenges for those hoping to witness the event.
Hotel Rooms in High Demand
Thuy Anh, a resident of Ha Dong Ward, began searching for a hotel room in central Hanoi in April to secure a spot for the National Day pageant. To her surprise, nearly all hotels and guesthouses along the parade route were fully booked months in advance. After an extensive search, she managed to find a room on Hang Chao Street for nearly VND2 million (US$76). However, her booking was later canceled due to a payment issue, forcing her to resume her search. Eventually, she secured a room near Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Ward at double the original price, albeit without the desired view.
"At this point, I’m just happy to find a room. I’ll accept any price," she stated, highlighting the desperation many are feeling to secure a place to stay.
Thuy Anh has also invested in flags, shirts, and camping gear for the event, planning to arrive early to join the crowds at the Hung Vuong - Nguyen Thai Hoc intersection.
Her experience reflects a broader trend. Data from the online booking platform Agoda indicates that searches for Hanoi hotels from August 30th to September 3rd have increased dramatically, more than 44 times compared to the same period.
Tours Offering Parade Views See Surge in Sales
Travel agencies are also reporting increased interest in tours that offer prime viewing locations for the parade. According to Pham Quoc Khanh, a deputy director at a Hanoi-based tour company, tours focused on parade viewing have accounted for a significant portion of domestic tourism sales, much higher than usual.
Families Eager to Secure Viewing Spots
Kieu Chinh, a resident of Long Bien Ward, booked a hotel for her family, including her two young children, to ensure a good viewing spot. Despite living relatively close to the city center, she was concerned about traffic congestion and limited viewing options. She began her search in late July and eventually booked a homestay near the Temple of Literature for VND1 million per night for her family of four.
"The price is double the normal rate, and I had to pay 100% upfront. But I knew someone else would have taken it," she explained, emphasizing the competitive nature of securing accommodation.
Cafés with a View: A Hot Commodity
The demand extends beyond accommodation, with cafés offering parade views also experiencing unprecedented booking levels. Locations on streets like Hang Khay, Trang Tien, Trang Thi, and Nguyen Thai Hoc are particularly sought after.
Ngoc Anh, a resident of Tu Liem, contacted nearly ten cafés on central streets in early August. Most required prepayments ranging from VND250,000 to VND300,000 per person, which typically covered one drink. Prime locations near Hoan Kiem Lake were demanding up to VND1 million per person.
"The booking rules are very strict. You must transfer payment 100% in advance, and the reservation is only held for 10 minutes past the scheduled time," Ngoc Anh explained. "If you’re late, you lose the spot with no refund."
Cafés with balconies or terraces overlooking central streets are fully booked. Some had limited availability for rehearsals, but prices were significantly higher than usual.
A café owner on Hang Khay Street reported receiving numerous inquiries daily. "The demand is so high that we direct customers to our fanpage for better management and to prevent overbooking. Despite the high prices, inquiries keep coming," they stated.
Patriotism Drives the Demand
Despite the challenges, many believe that the effort to witness the National Day parade is worthwhile. Ngoc Anh, who secured five seats at a café on Le Duan Street for VND250,000 per person, plans to leave home at 3 a.m. to ensure she doesn't lose her reservation.
Dr. Le Quy Duc of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics emphasized the significance of these events. "These events give generations, especially younger ones, a chance to honor the past, feel national pride, and recognize the struggles our ancestors endured to achieve independence," he said. "The willingness to make the effort to witness these moments is a vibrant expression of patriotism."
The high demand for accommodation and viewing spots in Hanoi underscores the importance of National Day celebrations for the Vietnamese people. The willingness to overcome logistical challenges and pay premium prices demonstrates a deep sense of national pride and a desire to participate in this significant event.
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