Local media outlets reported many hotels along parade routes such as Ba Dinh Square, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, and Kim Ma Street are already sold out, even though prices have risen by 30–50% compared to normal days. Travelers have been forced to book accommodation 10–15 km away from the centre to save costs.

Thanh Hien, 24, from Phu Tho ward, Ho Chi Minh City, searched for hotels in Hanoi with convenient parade-viewing locations. However, after two hours of searching, she found that reasonably priced rooms were no longer available due to steep price hikes, so she settled for a hotel in Dai Mo ward which is about 12 km from the centre.

“I have already spent VND5.6 million on airfare, so I couldn’t afford to pay much for accommodation. The room I booked costs VND350,000 per night, saving me about 50–60% compared to similar rooms in the city centre,” Hien shared.

Hotels in the central area are almost fully booked. Some have doubled or tripled their rates, ranging from VND1.5–2 million per night, with some rooms priced as high as VND5 million per night - yet still unavailable.

A survey of hotel rates in Hanoi’s Old Quarter for August 29 to September 2 shows that 2–3 star hotels range from VND1.5–2.5 million per night; 4-star hotels cost VND3–4.5 million per night, up 20–30% from usual; and 5-star hotels range from VND4–7 million per night. However, most hotels are already fully booked.

VisaVerge reported that hotel searches for Hanoi this time increased 44 times compared to 2024, with occupancy in the city centre up by 40–50%. Similarly, Agoda and Booking.com data show a 44-fold surge in hotel searches during this holiday period, making Hanoi the leading destination.

Tran Thanh Tung, owner of Trang Trang Boutique Hotel chain, said all three of his properties in Hanoi’s Old Quarter are fully booked.

“Our rooms for the holiday are priced from VND1.5–3 million per night. Most bookings started in early August, and now nearly 95% of our 100 rooms are sold out. This is one of the busiest booking periods we’ve ever experienced,” Tung shared.

Reasons for the sold-out situation

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (1945–2025), with a grand military parade and fireworks display scheduled in the capital on September 2. Experts believe this has driven demand for accommodation around the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and historic Ba Dinh Square beyond capacity.

Although September is typically not Hanoi’s peak tourist season, this year demand has “exploded” thanks to the special anniversary, beautiful autumn weather, and a four-day national holiday.

Even though hotel rates have risen significantly, by 30–50%, and in some cases doubled or tripled, excess demand has left central hotels and small homestays fully booked. With central areas near historic Ba Dinh Square sold out or too expensive, many travellers opted for hotels 7–15 km from the city centre to save money.

Besides small hotels and homestays that sold out months ago, major high-end hotels such as Pan Pacific, Grand Mercure, Pullman, and Novotel are not only packed with guests but have also launched holiday packages, dining promotions, and festive decorations to attract and serve visitors.

Convoy of military hardware moves into Hanoi city centre at night for military parade

VOV.VN - A convoy of military hardware moved from Hanoi’s outlying Phuc Son commune to the city centre on the evening of August 19 to prepare for a military parade (A80 event) in celebration of the 80th National Day (September 2).