National exhibition still draws crowds after 10-day extension

The "80 Years of National Achievements" exhibition remains popular, attracting large crowds even after its 10-day extension.

Multiple generations of families brought food, drinks, and "camped out," sleeping on the exhibition floor. Some even slept under large models for quiet, despite security reminders.

The "80 Years of National Achievements" exhibition at the National Exhibition Center continues to draw large crowds. On the morning of 9/7, hundreds of thousands of visitors flocked to the exhibition, causing localized traffic congestion.

Tran Thi Hue, 57, from Hung Yen, arrived with her family at 11 a.m. after leaving home at 7 a.m. due to traffic. She was surprised by the large crowds, even though the exhibition had opened before the holiday. Determined to see it, she decided to visit during the final days.

Due to public interest and the event's positive impact, the Prime Minister extended the exhibition until 15/9, adding 10 days to the original schedule, to allow more people to visit and experience it.

Hall 8, featuring Ministry of National Defense exhibits like historical artifacts, weapons, and uniforms, has been a major attraction since opening day.

Hall H1 was nearly full by 11:30 a.m. The exhibition attracts visitors of all ages, with something for everyone.

In its first 6 days, the exhibition welcomed nearly 4 million visitors, peaking on 1/9 with over one million.

Viettel's shooting simulator attracted hundreds of visitors queuing at all hours.

An exhibition staff member noted that while attendance had decreased since the holiday, it remained unexpectedly high. Despite the many impressive backdrops, a visitor on 7/9 said it was impossible to take photos due to the crowds, "you only see people when you lift your camera".

The exhibition is divided into three main sections: a general exhibition area (Kim Quy Exhibition House); an outdoor exhibition area (East, West, South, and North Courtyards); and an international exhibition area showcasing 12 cultural industries (Block A Exhibition House). These sections display products and achievements from 34 provinces and cities, 28 ministries and sectors, and various businesses.

The outdoor military equipment display was less crowded due to the 35°C heat.

A dining area has been added to the second floor of Hall 2, eliminating the need for visitors to go outside for food. However, the limited space on the second floor means the food stalls are constantly crowded, with limited options.

A female visitor was seen napping amidst her belongings in the outdoor dining area on the second floor.

The outdoor train car exhibit was filled with people seeking shade. This prevented others from taking photos inside.

The food stalls offer more variety than during the exhibition's initial opening, with snacks, soft drinks, tea, pho, and noodles. Prices are typically 5,000-10,000 VND higher than outside. Despite this, the stalls operated at full capacity due to the hot weather and extensive walking required of visitors.

The VinMotion humanoid robot remains a highlight, attracting many visitors for interaction. The 1.7 m tall robot can shake hands and speak some Vietnamese phrases.

Nguyen Duc Dung, who traveled from Thanh Xuan, said it took him over 2.5 hours to reach the exhibition and he couldn’t believe the crowds after the holiday. Despite some inconvenience with moving around, experiencing the exhibits, and finding food, he felt proud to witness the country's achievements over 80 years of development.

Tran Ngoc Thanh Uyen (white shirt), a visitor from TP HCM, arrived early and explored many areas. Uyen came to Hanoi to watch the parade and planned to visit the exhibition during the holiday, but postponed due to not having a companion. "Luckily, the exhibition was extended, but I didn't expect it to be this crowded. I thought everyone had already come during the holiday," she said. She was impressed by everything at the exhibition, especially the central hall with its overview of the nation's historical milestones.

The "95 Years of the Party Flag Lighting the Way" exhibition surprised most visitors with its scale and multi-sensory experience through artifacts, images, videos, and narration. Phung Huong, a resident of Ha Dong ward, found the exhibition accessible and moving. "It's so crowded it’s hard to see everything, but I'm glad many young people are engaging with the historical content," she said.