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Hanoi is currently celebrating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd. Besides cultural and artistic activities, the main event – the grand military parade and procession at Ba Dinh Square – has become the focal point attracting the attention of locals and tourists alike. Capitalizing on this demand, many cafes located in prime locations along the parade routes have turned the occasion into a bustling "business season," with a surge in reservations and consequently, escalating prices.
From the very first days of the rehearsals, preliminary rehearsals, and final rehearsals, the atmosphere on key streets such as Hung Vuong, Hoang Dieu, Kim Ma, Dien Bien Phu, and the area around Thong Nhat Park became bustling. Thousands of people flocked to witness firsthand the majestic performance of the marching and parade formations. Because of this, cafes with beautiful views became sought-after "hot spots," especially among young people.
Many restaurants were fully booked from the preliminary parade rehearsals (August 27th and 28th) and the final rehearsals (August 30th and 31st). Reservations for the official ceremony on September 2nd were already full more than a week in advance.
Many establishments quickly recognized the enormous business potential of this event. Instead of simply serving drinks as usual, they invested in upgrading their spaces, expanding their capacity, and even hiring more staff to accommodate the huge number of customers. The Sipping Bar, a cafe located inside Thong Nhat Park, boldly spent money on renovations, increasing its capacity from 100 to 300 customers. The cafe also decorated with flags and vibrant flowers inside and out, creating a festive atmosphere that attracted many young people to take photos and wait to watch the parade.
The manager of The Sipping Bar shared with the press that, to ensure service quality, they have hired approximately 10 additional temporary staff and increased their inventory by 20-40%. "We want to ensure a seamless experience for locals and tourists visiting the bar to watch the parade, avoiding shortages like those experienced during the previous April 30th - May 1st holiday," the manager stated.
Besides booking hotels and accommodations for travelers from afar, finding cafes with great views to watch the parade is becoming a hot topic of particular interest to young people.
High demand has driven up service prices at cafes with "prime views" significantly compared to normal days. To secure a good seat, customers have to accept paying a considerable amount. At Essence Cafe, prime locations overlooking the intersection are priced at 250,000 VND per seat, applicable during rehearsals, general rehearsals, and even on the main holiday, September 2nd. Some cafes in the Hoan Kiem Lake and Old Quarter areas even offer drink and snack combos priced from 690,000 VND to nearly 1 million VND per person, depending on the seating location.
Some cafes with views of the parade were bustling with customers, and staff were working non-stop. Many people chose to sit in restaurants and cafes waiting for the soldiers to return to their assembly point in the evening.
Reservation conditions have become stricter than ever. Most cafes require customers to transfer a deposit of 50% to 100% of the total bill to secure a reservation. Some cafes even have strict rules: if customers arrive late, they will lose their reservation and their deposit. A representative of a cafe on Dien Bien Phu Street revealed that the number of phone calls for reservations has increased unexpectedly. Although many customers are willing to pay extra, the cafe has had to turn them down because the best seats have been booked more than a week before the main holiday.
Additionally, this establishment offers a reservation service, with a price of 250,000 VND per seat for prime locations overlooking the intersection where the parade passes, such as tables on the 2nd and 4th floors. The restaurant also has a rooftop terrace on the 5th floor with panoramic views.
The craze for "viewing the parade" isn't limited to the city center; it's spread to surrounding areas like Nguyen Thai Hoc and Lieu Giai streets. Cafés there are also charging deposits ranging from 200,000 to 300,000 VND per person. Some cafés, like Garden Coffee on Lieu Giai street, with about 100 seats, are charging 200,000 VND per seat for rehearsals and general rehearsals, and 280,000 VND per person specifically for September 2nd, including one drink. All require a 100% deposit to secure a seat.
Some restaurants are located in prime locations near Hoan Kiem Lake, and their reservation requirements are strict. Customers need to transfer a deposit of 50-100% of the total bill to secure a seat.
The boom in the market for viewing parade services demonstrates the strong appeal of this momentous event to the public. However, it also raises a question about the balance between meeting market demand and maintaining the cultural and spiritual values of the holiday. While business is legitimate, excessively high prices or overly stringent conditions could make it difficult for some people and diminish the positive significance of a community event.
Nevertheless, it's undeniable that a joyful and bustling atmosphere permeated the streets of Hanoi. Whether sitting in a luxurious cafe or waiting on the sidewalk, everyone shared the same feeling of excitement and pride at being part of the crowds, enjoying a complete and memorable National Day celebration.
