How do Vietnamese people celebrate Vietnam National Day?

Back to the year of 1945, on September 2nd, thousands of people gathered at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi to listen to the Declaration of Independence read by Ho Chi Minh, the first President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, which officially stated that Vietnam was free from French’s colonial force.

This is one of the most important historical marks of Vietnam throughout its history. Because this is an important public holiday, all Vietnamese people will be free from work and school. Sometimes you will find it a bit difficult to find restaurants on this day, but if you are visiting the big cities, there is no need to worry about it.

Across the country, Vietnamese commemorate this monumental occasion with flags, cheerful festivities and fireworks at night. If you’re in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang, head out into the streets to join the locals in an exuberant celebration of Vietnamese patriotism and pride.

What to do on this day?

1. Enjoy the quiet street

On this holiday, many people working in big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh will return to their hometown, so you can enjoy the peaceful and ancient beauty of Hanoi in the most complete way. The streets become quiet, the car horns and the dust almost disappear, so you can take many beautiful photos all the way you walk through.

2. Visit Ho Chi Minh mausoleum in Ba Dinh square

Ba Dinh Square is the place where President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence of Vietnam, so it is very meaningful if you visit this place exactly on September 2. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a mausoleum which serves as the resting place of Vietnamese Revolutionary Leader & President Ho Chi Minh where his remains are located.

3. Watch firework

Because this is the birthday of Vietnam, in big cities across the country, you can enjoy the beautiful fireworks display. So if you are in Hanoi, Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City on this day, please visit the following addresses to see  fireworks in the most beautiful spot:

Hanoi: Hoan Kiem lake, My Dinh stadium, Thong Nhat park, Lotte tower

Ho Chi Minh: Thu Thiem bridge, Nguyen Hue walking street, Landmark 81

Da Nang: Han river bridge, Dragon bridge, Tran Thi Ly bridg