Vietnam Turns the Spirit of National Day into a Tourist Attraction

HANOI, Vietnam – The National Day holiday offers a chance to turn Vietnam's history, culture, and festive atmosphere into distinctive tourism products, helping attract more international visitors and boost the year-end travel season as red flags line streets across the country, historical sites welcome large numbers of visitors, and cultural activities create a special atmosphere. The opportunity comes as Vietnam's international tourism market continues to grow, with the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism reporting that the country welcomed approximately 13.9 million foreign visitors in the first seven months of 2026, up 13.8 percent year-on-year and equivalent to about 56 percent of the full-year target.

Cham Islands launch project to restore seagrass as ecological 'diamond mine'

Travel demand is shifting towards authentic cultural experiences, with more than 55 percent of global travellers preferring trips linked to heritage, 68 percent taking part in festivals, art programmes, and traditional cultural experiences at least once a year, and over 72 percent favouring authentic cultural experiences. This trend offers an opportunity for Vietnam during the National Day holiday, when revolutionary sites, flag-filled streets, and commemorative events create a special travel season that cannot easily be experienced at other times of the year.

VNAT has called on localities to organise art and cultural events for visitors marking the 81st anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, and has encouraged the development of heritage and historical tourism products, with the challenge being to turn these values into products that can tell stories, create emotions, and generate revenue. Hanoi has a particular advantage as the site where President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945, and from Ba Dinh and Hoan Kiem Lake to the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature, and Hoa Lo Prison, the capital offers a wealth of sites that can be woven into history- and culture-themed tours.

Other destinations are also offering special experiences, including the Sam Son Kite Festival, the Moc Chau Culture and Tourism Week, and the Proud of Vietnam journey at Yen Tu, Quang Ninh. Pham Anh Vu, Deputy General Director of Vietnamtourism, said travellers are increasingly choosing short trips with deeper experiences, and for foreign visitors, two- to four-day city breaks can focus on architecture, traditional markets, museums, coffee shops, street food, and nightlife.

The Hanoi's Five City Gates train is a clear example of how the National Day atmosphere can be incorporated into a tourism product, with carriages decorated with flags, flowers, and images associated with the holiday, and since its launch a year ago, the train has been linked with the National Day atmosphere and attracted strong interest from foreign visitors, serving about 40,000 passengers over the past year with international tourists accounting for around 40 percent. The train shows how businesses can turn a national celebration into part of a tourism product, with flags, music, historical stories, traditional costumes, food, and interactive activities helping international visitors experience the meaning of the National Day directly.

Vietnam launches project to elevate robusta coffee’s global standing

Traveloka data shows strong interest in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and culturally rich coastal destinations during the holiday, with Phu Quoc, Con Dao, Hoi An, and Da Nang recording high demand, reflecting interest in trips that combine leisure with culture and local experiences. In Da Nang, the Hoi An Memories show is presenting a special Flag Hat version and adding performances from August 26 to September 2, while in Ho Chi Minh City, a fireworks display on the evening of September 2 will provide another experience that can be combined with night tours, cuisine, and city sightseeing.

A Morning on Ha Long Bay

The potential of National Day tourism is considerable, and local authorities, destinations, and businesses need to work more closely to create complete programmes for international visitors, linking museums and historical sites with architecture, craft villages, food, and evening entertainment. Multilingual information, skilled guides, early publication of event schedules, and convenient booking services will also help turn these experiences into marketable tourism products, while service quality must remain a priority, with VNAT asking localities to strengthen quality control and ensure security, safety, and transparent pricing while taking action against unreasonable price increases, harassment, and unlicensed tours.