Sleepless night before the independent New Year
Among the large crowds flocking to the center of Hanoi capital early on September 2, there were foreign guests who immersed themselves in the atmosphere of the Vietnamese People's Independence Day.
MarWansh, from Spain, could not hide the excitement on his face. This is his third time returning to Hanoi and he proudly shows off that he has been nearly all over Vietnam.
MarWansh said: I was in Thailand when a Vietnamese friend reported on National Day on September 2. Immediately, I decided to come here at all costs.
His love for Vietnam motivated him to fly to Hanoi the day before the A80A ceremony. Not wanting to miss a moment, Marshwan stayed up all night.
With a friend from Ireland,Wan Marsh was present at the central area since 5am. Although they could not jostle into the routes on the parade and march because there were too many people, they watched the entire ceremony on a large screen. For him, it was an incredible experience.
What touched MarWan the most was not only the grand scale of the ceremony but also his immersion in the people's emotions. I feel like a Vietnamese person, no longer a foreign tourist - the male tourist proudly said. He said that he and his friends danced, sang along, and spent hours chatting with newly introduced Vietnamese friends.
I have had the opportunity to experience National Day in many countries such as Spain, Sweden, Egypt, Morocco... But MarWansh believes that the holiday in Vietnam has a special "color". It is interesting to see that everyone is proud of the culture, history, present and future of the country. On National Day in Vietnam, there is a miracle in the air. I feel it, said the Spaniard.
Surprised by the unity of the Vietnamese people
Unlike MarWansh, the couple Steph and Emmanuel from Melbourne, Australia, had a surprising experience. They just arrived in Hanoi a day ago and did not know they had arrived on the biggest holiday in the country.
The parading music awakened me, Steph laughed and recounted. Although they missed the main parade because it started too early, the bustling atmosphere throughout the city from the previous night made both of them extremely impressed.
Its amazing to see people so happy. Last night we watched them dance. The culture, the way people celebrate a special thing about our country together is wonderful - Emmanuel expressed.
When asked about the difference compared to National Day in Australia, Emmanuel said that their holidays are often more private.
In Australia, we didnt really parade. People often gather with family, friends, and organize baked parties. That is why when I see people gathering on the streets together, I feel the atmosphere of National Day in Vietnam is so wonderful" - Emmanuel said.
Also from Australia and having a similar difficult experience were Michael and Tanya. They were completely unaware of the incident until the taxi driver informed them on their way from the airport to the hotel. On the 9-minute bus from the airport to the hotel, they saw both a sea of people and brilliant flags.
For Michael, who came to Hanoi 9 years ago, Vietnam has changed dramatically. "The last time I came, the city was much calmer, not as brilliant and colorful as this. At night, there were only cleaning workers. It was still dark, midnight, but there were still lights and people passing by. The city is really vibrant".
The yellow star red flag hangs all over the streets, the bustling atmosphere that Michael calls a comfortable chaos has made both tourists, despite being tired after a long flight, still have to step out and walk around the streets to enjoy it.
National Day is not just an event for Vietnamese people. The grand ceremony has become a cultural bridge, an opportunity for international friends to learn more about the heroic history, the spirit of solidarity and love for the country of the nation. Experiencing Hanoi on September 2 will definitely be an unforgettable memory in the journey of discovery of international visitors.
During the 4 days off for National Day on September 2 2025 (from August 30 to September 2), Hanoi has become the most vibrant destination in the country with a series of unique cultural - tourism activities, attracting millions of domestic and foreign visitors.
According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism, the total number of visitors to the capital is estimated at 2.08 million, 3 times higher than the same period last year. Of which, international visitors reached over 80,000, an increase of 35% compared to 2024, mainly from the markets of China, Korea, India, Taiwan, the US, Japan, the UK and Australia. Tourism revenue is estimated at VND4,500 billion, up nearly 80% over the same period.
