Duy Hanh, owner of a seafood noodle soup restaurant on Van Cao Street across from Quan Ngua Sports Palace, the endpoint of parade routes 3 and 8, said his restaurant operated at full capacity during the three days of rehearsals. While the total amount of food sold didn't increase dramatically, the demand concentrated between 5:30 PM and 8 PM overwhelmed the restaurant, resulting in slower service.

The seafood noodle soup restaurant is packed. Photo: Tam Anh

Tables inside and outside the restaurant are full. Photo: Tam Anh

People wait for the parade in front of the restaurant. Photo: Tam Anh

Similarly, Cau Ca, a fish noodle and stewed chicken restaurant on Phan Ke Binh Street near Lieu Giai Street, usually open until 10:30 PM, sold out by 7:30 PM during both the August 24th rehearsal and the August 27th rehearsal due to the early influx of customers. Even near 8 PM, people continued to inquire about food. "We know higher sales mean increased revenue, but we're at our limit," the owner stated.

Because the parade route on Lieu Giai and Van Cao Streets is 4 km from Ba Dinh Square, the parade didn't reach the area until around 9 PM. Many people who had been lining up since the afternoon hadn't eaten and needed to grab a quick meal.

Thanh Huyen, from Cau Giay ward, said she ate at a shopping mall before watching the parade. She and her child had a place saved by an acquaintance, allowing them to dine comfortably before returning to their spot on Lieu Giai Street. Restaurants like Pizza 4P's, Thai Express, Pho Ngon 37, Alfresco, and Khao Lao in Lotte Center Hanoi and Vincom Metropolis were also full before the parade.

Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, part of parade routes 1 and 2, has fewer restaurants than the Van Cao area, primarily cafes selling snacks like sticky rice cakes, sausages, instant noodles, and drinks like iced tea and fruit juice. The owner of a sports and live music cafe on this street reported non-stop business throughout the afternoon of August 27th.

At Thanh Nien Street, the Ming and Pacifica restaurants in the Pan Pacific Hanoi hotel received hundreds of reservation calls on the morning of the rehearsal but were fully booked. Both restaurants, located on the 1st and 2nd floors, offer views of Thanh Nien Street where wheeled and tracked vehicles assembled.

Thanh Thuy, Marketing Communications Manager at Pan Pacific Hanoi, said they mostly served hotel guests who also wanted to watch the parade from the dining areas. Usually, the restaurants aren't full in the afternoon between 4 PM and 6 PM, but this occasion was an exception. Guests requested earlier dining times or opted for afternoon tea to view the military vehicles arriving at the assembly point.

Diners enjoy their meals while watching the parade. Photo: Pan Pacific Hanoi

Delivery services also experienced high demand. With many road closures and limited access, delivery drivers could only reach nearby areas. Customers had to navigate through crowds to receive their orders, but orders remained steady throughout the evening.

Many residents and tourists came prepared, bringing their own food and drinks. "Finding a seat was hard enough, keeping it was even harder. Sitting for a long time makes you hungry, but getting up means losing your spot, so I brought bread and drinks with me," said a resident on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street.

Tam Anh