Finding a room wasn't as easy as she thought. Believing that booking 4 months in advance would provide ample choices, she found almost all hotels and accommodations in the central districts along the parade route were fully booked.

After a week of searching, she managed to book a 20 m2 room on Hang Chao street in Dong Da district for two people, costing nearly two million VND (approximately 85 USD). The location's proximity to Ba Dinh square and the parade route made the price seem reasonable.

"I missed the April 30th event in Ho Chi Minh City, so I didn't want to miss the September 2nd parade," said the 27-year-old, who recently returned from studying in Japan.

However, in early August, the hotel unexpectedly canceled her booking due to non-payment, despite it being made through an app. Frustrated and worried, she began a new search. Online platforms and booking apps offered no suitable options. Eventually, she settled for a room near the Temple of Literature, costing 4 million VND (approximately 170 USD), double the initial price and without the ideal view.

"I'm lucky to find a room at this point. I'll take any price," she said.

Thuy Anh purchased flags, shirts, and even camping gear, planning to leave the hotel early in the morning to find a spot at the intersection of Hung Vuong and Nguyen Thai Hoc streets, ready to join the crowds and await the parade.

Second rehearsal of the military parade units on the morning of 2/7 at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism. Photo: Giang Huy

Second rehearsal of the military parade units on the morning of 2/7 at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism. Photo: Giang Huy

Similarly, Kieu Chinh's family, from Long Bien district, decided to book a hotel room for convenience, especially for their two young children. Despite living relatively close to the city center, she feared traffic jams and not finding a good viewing spot on the day.

By the end of July, after checking hotels on Nguyen Thai Hoc street with no vacancies, Chinh booked a homestay near the Temple of Literature for one million VND (approximately 42 USD) per night, accommodating 4 adults and 2 children.

"It's double the usual price and requires 100% prepayment, but I didn't hesitate. Any delay and someone else would have booked it," Chinh said.

Kieu Chinh, 29, from Long Bien district, rented accommodation near the Temple of Literature from 29/8 to 2/9 for convenient viewing of the 80th National Day celebrations. Photo: Provided by the interviewee

Kieu Chinh, 29, from Long Bien district, rented accommodation near the Temple of Literature from 29/8 to 2/9 for convenient viewing of the 80th National Day celebrations. Photo: Provided by the interviewee

The experiences of Thuy Anh and Kieu Chinh reflect the high demand surrounding the 2/9 holiday.

Data from the online booking platform Agoda, released at the end of May, revealed that searches for accommodation in Hanoi during the holiday period (30/8 to 3/9) increased by more than 44 times compared to the same period in 2024. This surge propelled Hanoi from outside the top 10 to the most sought-after destination in the country. An Agoda representative identified the 80th National Day parade as the main "magnet."

Travel companies observed a similar trend. Pham Quoc Khanh, Deputy Director of Viet Ha Noi Travel, stated that tours to Hanoi combined with parade viewing accounted for 30-40% of domestic tourism products offered from Ho Chi Minh City, significantly higher than the 20-25% of previous years.

This increased demand also extended to the food and beverage sector, especially cafes with views of the parade route.

Cafes on central streets like Hang Khay, Trang Tien, Trang Thi, and Nguyen Thai Hoc are fully booked for September 2nd. Photo: Quynh Nguyen

Cafes on central streets like Hang Khay, Trang Tien, Trang Thi, and Nguyen Thai Hoc are fully booked for September 2nd. Photo: Quynh Nguyen

In early August, Ngoc Anh, 31, from Nam Tu Liem district, contacted nearly 10 cafes on central streets such as Trang Tien, Hang Khay, Dien Bien Phu, and Nguyen Thai Hoc. Most required pre-booking fees, ranging from 250,000 to 300,000 VND (approximately 10-13 USD) per person, including a drink. Some prime locations near Hoan Kiem Lake charged up to one million VND (approximately 42 USD) per person.

"Booking conditions are strict. Customers must prepay 100%, and seats are held for only 10 minutes after the reserved time. If late, the reservation is forfeited without a refund," Anh said.

A mid-August survey by VnExpress found that all cafes with balconies or terraces overlooking the central streets were fully booked for 2/9. A few indoor seats remained for the rehearsal days (27/8 and 29/8). Rental fees were 3 to 5 times higher than usual.

On social media, videos reviewing cafes with good views of the parade attracted millions of views. Thousands of comments inquired about bookings, but the usual response was "fully booked."

The owner of a cafe on Hang Khay street said they receive dozens of calls and messages daily. "Due to overwhelming demand, we ask customers to book through our fanpage for easier management and to avoid overbooking. Despite the high prices, inquiries haven't decreased," the owner said.

"This is a special day that only comes once in many years. I want to join the crowds and experience the national pride during this important celebration," said Ngoc Anh. She secured 5 seats at a cafe on Le Duan street for 250,000 VND (approximately 10 USD) per person, excluding drinks. To avoid losing their spots, her family plans to leave at 3 am.

Explaining this phenomenon, Associate Professor Dr. Le Quy Duc, former Deputy Director of the Institute of Culture and Development, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, said that major celebrations like Reunification Day (April 30th) and National Day (September 2nd) hold significant meaning and are a shared joy. People converging on the event location deeply reflects national unity and pride.

"This is an opportunity for all generations, especially the young, to honor the past and experience the heroic history our ancestors lived through to gain independence. The willingness to spend money, time, and effort to participate in these special moments is a vivid expression of patriotism," Duc said.

Nga Thanh - Quynh Nguyen