Report National Day Rush Fills Hanoi Hotels to Capacity

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Photo courtesy of VN Express

 

Hanoi hotels are reaching capacity as thousands plan their visit to the National Day pageant on 2nd September, creating a scramble for accommodation in the city centre.

 

Residents and visitors alike are finding it nearly impossible to secure a hotel room for the festivities. Minh Ha, a local from My Dinh Ward, sought a room for her family by phoning almost 10 hotels on Nguyen Thai Hoc and Kim Ma streets, only to discover they were fully booked. "We wanted to stay downtown to watch the parade and enjoy the Old Quarter at night, but rooms are either unavailable or too expensive," she shared.

 

Similarly, Kim Chi, an office worker in Hanoi, attempted to arrange accommodation for colleagues travelling from Ho Chi Minh City. She’s been trying since mid-July, but the hotels remain packed from 31st August to 1st September.

 

Investigations by VnExpress confirm that most hotels along Nguyen Thai Hoc Street are fully booked. Those with availability have significantly increased their rates, with prices ranging from approximately 60,000 to 80,000 Thai Baht for standard rooms, with some charging up to 190,000 Thai Baht for rooms with balcony views of the parade route.

 

These streets are premium locations, forming part of the parade route and lying close to popular attractions like the Temple of Literature and the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. The spike in demand is not limited to mid-range hotels, as homestays and luxury accommodations report similar bookings. A homestay owner in Ngoc Ha Ward revealed that her location has been fully booked since July, and any cancellations are quickly snapped up.

 

High-end hotels near key sites face equally high demand. The five-star Pan Pacific Hanoi, just a stone's throw from Ba Dinh Square, reports an 80% occupancy for 1st and 2nd September. Hanoi Daewoo Hotel has sold more than 90% of its rooms, saving a few for international delegations.

 

Pan Pacific's marketing manager, Nguyen Thanh Thuy, noted: "Demand from domestic guests, especially from the southern regions, has surged. Bookings have doubled since last year, approaching 90-95% occupancy, our highest holiday rate yet."

 

Meanwhile, the Old Quarter, ever a favourite, still has rooms available but primarily at premium rates. Online platforms like Agoda and Booking.com show limited vacancies, with prices between 80,000 and 120,000 Thai Baht per night.

 

Travel agencies anticipate that the handful of rooms left will be snapped up quickly. This brisk business is driven by families, veterans, and friends travelling independently rather than opting for package tours.

 

The upcoming pageant commemorates the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day. Scheduled to commence at 6:30 a.m. on 2nd September at Ba Dinh Square, the event will feature over 16,000 service members and conclude with spectacular citywide fireworks and cultural showcases.

 

As anticipation builds, the clamour for last-minute bookings reveals Hanoi’s bustling allure during this celebratory period.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-08-20