During the first two days of the 2/9 holiday, the sidewalk area along Doc Lap Street, near Ba Dinh Square, consistently saw long lines of people taking photos. Spots with views towards Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum were the most popular.

Most visitors chose traditional ao dai for their photo sessions. While many were young people, numerous middle-aged women and veterans from other provinces also came.

A tourist in traditional Thai ethnic attire takes photos at Ba Dinh Square on 30/8. *Hoang Giang*

Ngoc Anh, a resident of Da Nang, shared that each visit to Hanoi includes taking photos at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the experience always feels different. "Wearing the ao dai is not just a photo trend; it's how Vietnamese people express their national pride," she said.

Some young people noted that a photo session at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum can last two hours. Many prefer to start their shoots after 15h and finish by 17h30 to capture the sunset.

Locals and tourists in ao dai take photos in front of Ba Dinh Square. *Minh Trang*

Visitors to the photo area should dress modestly and bring handheld fans and water, as daily temperatures in Hanoi can reach 35 degrees C. Umbrellas are also essential to guard against sudden rain showers.

Minh Trang