International Tourists “Show Off” Patriotic Gifts from Local Vietnamese on September 2

Visitors arriving in the capital city of Hanoi these days cannot help but be amazed by the jubilant atmosphere on the streets. From street corners ablaze with the red of national flags to the radiant smiles on the faces of local residents pouring into the streets to take commemorative photos and await the parade rehearsals.

Tourists buy scarves and hairpins featuring the Vietnamese flag to join the celebratory atmosphere. (Photo: Minh Anh/Vietnam+)

Passing through the intersection of Hung Vuong and Nguyen Thai Hoc streets on a rehearsal day, Ms. Maria Schober (an Austrian national) initially thought this was a pedestrian street. “I thought that was a walking area exclusively for residents, just like in the Old Quarter. People lined both sidewalks, wore red shirts, rolled out mats, and ate together like a picnic. Later, I learned they were waiting to watch the parade rehearsal. That is a very interesting way to express patriotism,” she excitedly recounted. While many tourists purchased small accessories for themselves, Mr. and Mrs. Louis and Lucile Violette were even more fortunate.

Mr. and Mrs. Louis and Lucile Violette with small yet special gifts. (Photo: Minh Anh/Vietnam+)

The two visitors from France said they arrived in Hanoi 10 days ago and had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the celebration of the Vietnamese people.

Pointing to the stickers on her face and on her husband’s shirt, Mrs. Lucile excitedly recounted: “This is a gift given to us by a Vietnamese woman when we went to watch the water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. We went there twice. The first time we were given stickers and a handheld flag; the second time we were given these two stickers. I feel that Vietnamese people are very friendly and lovely.” Both were impressed by the adorable boys and girls waving flags with red flags and yellow stars pasted on their cheeks. “Everywhere, everyone is so enthusiastic. Truly, I feel like it is a privilege to visit Vietnam during these days,” Mrs. Lucile shared.

A group of international visitors walks amid Hanoi’s celebratory atmosphere filled with flags and flowers. (Photo: Reporter/Vietnam+)

Hang Bong Street, adjacent to the Old Quarter, also saw large crowds of foreigners browsing and buying Vietnamese “patriotic fashion” items during these days. Mr. Huy Tuan, the owner of a souvenir shirt shop on Hang Bong Street, observed that sales volume this year increased by 30–40%. The merchandise has also become more diverse. The number of foreign tourists visiting the shop to make purchases grew at a corresponding rate.

“The items include shirts, hats, conical hats, hair clips, scarves… Among them, scarves are a new item this year and are very popular. Prices range from twenty thousand to several hundred thousand dong, remaining as stable as on ordinary days. The choices of foreign tourists are also very diverse; some buy scarves, others buy stickers, putting them on so they look just like Vietnamese people,” the shop owner cheerfully shared.

Tourists wear flag-themed conical hats and take souvenir photos at Ngoc Son Temple. (Photo: Khieu Minh)

Earlier in May, the Hanoi Department of Tourism reported that room bookings for the September 2 holiday had increased by approximately 30%–40% compared to the same period in 2024.

In particular, many hotels and accommodation establishments in Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh districts around the areas where the main celebrations take place were 70% to 100% booked.

Numerous activities offering free admission to historical relics, new culinary experience tours, and visits to cultural and entertainment destinations in Hanoi—as well as connecting routes to neighboring tourism hubs—were launched early on, promising to create memorable experiences for international tourists in the capital in particular and Vietnam in general on this occasion.

Red flags cover the sky along a section of the Old Quarter. (Photo: Reporter/Vietnam+)

(Source: VietnamPlus)