Foreign visitors were delighted to receive a meaningful gift from their Vietnamese friends. (Source: VietnamPlus)

Culture and tourism sector rallies for peak month of celebrations

At a leadership meeting held on 1 August regarding the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s key tasks in the coming period - particularly preparations for the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (19 August 1945) and National Day (September 2) - Minister Nguyen Van Hung directed all affiliated units to rigorously carry out their assigned responsibilities.

The Minister stressed that special art performances to serve the public on this occasion must be of high artistic quality, imbued with profound political significance, while remaining engaging and rich in cultural appeal. He called for special attention to be paid to guest management, digital communication and international visitor engagement. The Department of Performing Arts, the Vietnam Sports Administration, and the Department of Grassroots Culture, Family and Library Affairs were instructed to closely follow the approved programme and ensure effective rehearsal of the mass parade segments.

Minister Nguyen Van Hung also urged the Ministry’s Hanoi-based units to actively respond to the city’s peak-month campaign, focusing on urban beautification and environmental sanitation.

The 80th anniversary ceremony and parade are expected to gather approximately 30,000 delegates and citizens. Hanoi is projected to welcome millions of domestic and international tourists during this period.

“To accommodate the public visiting Hanoi to join the celebrations”, the Minister stated, “the Ministry will offer free admission from 1 to 3 September at the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Vietnam National Museum of History, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, the Vietnam Contemporary Arts Theatre, and the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism”.

Troops participating in the parade and march on the occasion of National Day (2 September). (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

The Minister emphasised that this initiative would meet the public’s demand for historical and cultural discovery, especially for those travelling to the capital for the upcoming national commemorations.

Minister Nguyen Van Hung also noted that this Grand Celebration offers an opportunity for the tourism sector to intensify its promotion efforts, attract both domestic and international travellers, and strive to meet the 2025 target for international tourist arrivals. He tasked the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism with leading the implementation of official communications and promotional campaigns.

Debut of unique tourism products

In addition to national-level activities, Hanoi will hold fireworks displays at five sites: Hoan Kiem Lake, Thong Nhat Park, Van Quan Lake, My Dinh National Stadium and West Lake.

According to Ms Dang Huong Giang, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, the city has developed a variety of new tourism offerings, including same-day urban tours, short excursions to suburban areas, culinary experiences, cultural tours and nighttime sightseeing options.

Inter-provincial tours between Hanoi and neighbouring provinces such as Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen and Ninh Binh are also being expanded. The city is planning to designate one or two additional areas as pedestrian or community cultural zones, upgrade existing tours and support businesses with tourism stimulus initiatives.

Hanoi “awakens” its historical sites with unique night tours. (Source: VietnamPlus)

To attract visitors, the city is placing particular emphasis on night-time tourism products that offer fresh and meaningful experiences of culture and history. Among the highlighted activities are The Sound of Tran Vu at Quan Thanh Temple, the Nam Thang Long Heritage Route, and the Path of Confucian Learning.

One of the most anticipated highlights is the official launch of the “Nam Cua O” (Five Gates) heritage night train on 19 August 2025, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution. The high-quality service includes a traditional performance space onboard, featuring genres such as Xam, Cheo, and Chau Van - hallmarks of Vietnam’s folk art heritage.

Passengers may enjoy drinks at a skylight bar while taking in nighttime views of the city. The train will operate two daily routes: one linking Hanoi with Tu Son in Bac Ninh, and the other circling Hanoi’s inner districts by night. These experiences offer glimpses of old Hanoi embedded in the modern metropolis.

This year's celebration of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (2 September) will feature a wide range of special activities. (Illustrative photo: VietnamPlus)

The journey also incorporates cultural, historical, and spiritual elements, extending to the suburbs with additional connections such as electric vehicle rides to the Do Temple. Local leaders hope the “Nam Cua O” night train will soon become an iconic symbol of Hanoi’s night tourism.

To improve services for international travellers, the Hanoi tourism sector is also developing digital maps, AI-powered multilingual tour planning tools, and platforms allowing visitors to schedule their itineraries.

Tour operators, travel agencies, and accommodation providers across the capital have committed to ensuring sufficient staffing and facilities during the celebration. Hotel occupancy in central districts such as Ba Dinh and Hoan Kiem is already at 70-100 per cent.

This year’s commemorations not only present an opportunity for the people of Vietnam to reflect on their national heritage with pride, but also offer the tourism sector a valuable chance to accelerate growth in the final months of 2025.