The National Day on September 2nd is an important holiday for all Vietnamese people and a day for workers to rest. In Hanoi, the National Day holiday is usually celebrated with various cultural and entertaining activities. 

     Here are some attractive places to visit and things to do in Hanoi that you shouldn't miss during this holiday.

1. Ba Dinh Square and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

     Located in the heart of the capital, Ba Dinh Square is where President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2nd, 1945. As a result, the square holds great significance for the Vietnamese people. Visiting Ba Dinh Square and paying respects at the Mausoleum is a way for each individual to show gratitude and respect for President Ho Chi Minh and to remember the sacred moments of the nation's history.

2. Hoan Kiem Lake and Walking Street

     Hoan Kiem Lake is a must-visit destination during the National Day holiday on September 2nd. Here, you can experience the culture, participate in various recreational activities, and also enjoy the diverse culinary experiences at places like Ta Hien Street, Cau Go Street, Ma May Street, and Luong Ngoc Quyen Street. This year, the Hoan Kiem Lake Management Board and Hanoi's Old Quarter have organized numerous cultural events and activities. The Hanoi Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Center (No. 50 Dao Duy Tu Street, Hang Buom Ward) is hosting traditional Mid-Autumn Festival decorations. The Old Quarter Heritage Information Center (Quan De Temple) is running a program for experiencing traditional lantern making. The Hoan Kiem District pedestrian areas have many attractive outdoor activities, such as cycling parades, traditional ao dai (Vietnamese dress) performances connecting tourism with Hanoi's heritage, and evening cultural and artistic performances.

     Combining a visit to the Temple of Literature - Vietnam's first university, with Thang Long Imperial Citadel

     The special national heritage sites of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam and Thang Long Imperial Citadel are located on the same route, making it convenient for locals and tourists to combine their visits. These are frequently chosen by both domestic and international visitors. This year, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a World Heritage site, will also organize water puppet performances on September 1st and 2nd, with two shows per day. Morning shows will be held from 9am to 10am, and afternoon shows from 3pm to 4pm. Both sites now offer daytime and nighttime experiential activities. While the nighttime product at the Temple of Literature provides an alluring display of light technology combined with arrangement, the nighttime tour at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel allows visitors to relive the culture of the ancient royal court.

3. Hoa Lo Prison

     Hoa Lo Prison is one of the famous historical relics in Hanoi, witnessing the suffering, sacrifices, and bright spirit of thousands of Vietnamese revolutionaries during the struggle against French colonialism.

     Hoa Lo Prison is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm every day of the week, including holidays. The entrance fee is 30,000 VND per person. Some specific categories will be exempted or entitled to a 50% discount on the ticket price.

4. Enjoying amusement parks

     Thu Le Park is one of the oldest and most famous parks in the capital, and it is a popular choice for families to enjoy the National Day holiday on September 2nd in Hanoi. During this period, the park usually organizes various entertainment activities such as circus performances, traditional games, and diverse dining areas. The zoo in the park is home to more than 100 different species, including over 50 bird species, 35 animal species, and over 40 different saltwater fish species. The areas where elephants, monkeys, and ostriches are raised always receive the love and favor of families when they bring their children to experience.

     In the outskirts of Hanoi, Bao Son Paradise Park (Hoai Duc District) is an unmissable choice. During the September 2nd holiday, the park organizes the "Magical Land Festival" with many attractive art programs. In addition to the performances, Bao Son Paradise Park is also a versatile entertainment complex with various exploration areas, such as the aquarium, the Safari zoo, the Happy Farm farm, and a series of exciting games suitable for all ages.

5. Visiting museums in Hanoi

     Hanoi has a rich system of museums with many interesting exhibitions. During this holiday, locals and tourists can choose to visit some museums such as the Vietnam History Museum and the Vietnam Museum of Revolution to explore and admire the national treasures on display there. If you want to learn about culture and nature, you should visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and the Vietnam Museum of Nature.

     Furthermore, some museums like the Hanoi Museum and the Bat Trang Pottery Museum are also considered sacred check-in places for Hanoi's young generation. Designed with unique architecture and a refreshing atmosphere, these museums provide fantastic backgrounds for visitors to take stunning photos.

6. Vietnam's Ethnic Cultural Village

     During this year's National Day holiday, the village's management board, in coordination with the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Bac Ninh Province, is organizing an exhibition area called "Bac Ninh Cultural Space and Tourism in the Heart of Hanoi" from August 31st to September 2nd. The exhibition area consists of 30 booths featuring architectural styles and images of the countryside of Bac Ninh - Kinh Bac.

     The exhibition area is divided into five zones, including: an introduction to cultural heritage, Quan Ho folk song performances from Bac Ninh; a handicraft demonstration area featuring traditional craft villages; an area for promoting and connecting tours, itineraries, and tourist destinations; a Dong Nguy puppetry demonstration area and a wrestling game of Huu Chap; and an area for introducing traditional specialties, agricultural products, and cuisine.