Hanoi tourism gears up for “Golden Season”

Shortly after grand celebrations for Vietnam's National Day holiday took place early this month, Hanoi’s tourism authority and businesses are moving swiftly to implement tourism stimulus programs in preparation for the final quarter of the year, which is also considered the best season for the city's tourism.

Hanoi leads in visitor numbers

Dang Huong Giang, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, said the capital took center stage in the national celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day on September 2.

"This important political and social event fosters national pride and serves as a powerful source of motivation, reinforcing the great unity of the Vietnamese people and highlighting the nation’s strength in a new era,” said Giang.

Visitors from across the country flocked to the capital to take part in a series of vibrant activities, including a military parade, cultural processions, artistic performances, and a grand exhibition celebrating national achievements titled 80 Years of the Journey of Independence – Freedom – Happiness.

Hanoi welcomed estimated 2.08 million visitors during Vietnam’s National Day Holiday, three times more than in 2024. Among them, international arrivals rose 35% on year to over 80,000.

The total tourism revenue for the period is estimated at VND4.500 trillion (US$183 million), reflecting an 80% rise year-on-year. Hotel occupancy averaged 83%, up 22.6% from the same period last year.

Supporting this growth, online travel platform Agoda reported a fourfold increase in domestic interest in Hanoi compared to the previous year, while international searches rose by 84%.

Diversifying tourism offerings

Hanoi has rolled out the 2025 Tourism Stimulus Program under the theme Vietnam - Travel to Love, with many cultural and historical sites offering free entry for both locals and tourists, including the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the National Museum of History, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Vietnam Military History Museum and the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism.

From now until the end of 2025, a diverse array of tourism promotion initiatives will be implemented to maintain momentum and enrich visitor experiences.

One of the most significant highlights is the 80th Anniversary of the Journey of Independence - Freedom - Happiness Exhibition at the National Exhibition and Fair Center in Dong Anh, Hanoi, running through September 15.

Spanning 260,000 square meters with more than 230 booths, the exhibition showcases Vietnam’s achievements across sectors such as technology, agriculture, economy, defense, education, digital transformation, and culture.

Drawing an estimated five million visitors in just nine days, it has become a central attraction for those traveling to Hanoi this season.

Another exciting product is The Hanoi Train, a cultural train route launched on September 7 to connect Hanoi with Bac Ninh Province to work as a mobile check-in point, with each stop representing a unique cultural and tourism experience.

According to Hoang Gia Khanh, General Director of the Vietnam Railways Corporation, the train creates an iconic international tourism product to offer a distinctive way to explore the capital city.

Meanwhile, Bui Thanh Tu, Marketing Director of Best Price Travel Co.Ltd, observed that the National Day celebrations have significantly enhanced Hanoi’s appeal among domestic and international visitors.

“To better serve customers during the year-end season, we have curated new experiences for young domestic travelers, showcasing Hanoi’s autumn with golden leaves falling, the fragrance of Alstonia scholaris flowers and the aroma of young sticky rice in the crisp air,” said Tu.

To solidify Hanoi’s tourism appeal, the Hanoi Department of Tourism is finalizing a project to revamp conservation and management at the Huong Son Complex and Huong Pagoda, a revered national heritage site to balance cultural preservation with a modern, engaging visitor experience.

Under the overarching theme Hanoi Tourism - Convergence of Essence 2025, the city will also introduce several new tourism products. A notable event is the Hanoi Beverage Festival 2025, which promises to blend culture and gastronomy in a lively setting.

“Hanoi’s tourism sector is working tirelessly to achieve its 2025 targets, including 31 million visitors, including 7.5 million international travelers, and total tourism revenue of VND130 trillion ($5.1 billion),” said Director of Hanoi Department of Tourism Dang Huong Giang.

Hanoi’s event calendar remains robust through the remainder of the year.

The city will participate in key national festivals, including the Four-Way Food Exchange Festival in Hue, the Thanh Tuyen Festival in Tuyen Quang Province, the Hanoi Autumn Festival 2025, and the much-anticipated Hanoi Tourism Ao Dai Festival 2025 to honor Vietnam’s cultural heritage while drawing both domestic and international tourists to the capital.

With a wide range of cultural events, new tourism products, and renewed efforts to enhance visitor experiences, Hanoi is well-prepared for the year-end travel season offer a vibrant and welcoming destination for domestic and international travelers in the months ahead.

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