Vietnam Demands Urgent Flight Additions and Support for Smooth National Day Travel

(HANOI) Vietnam is racing to keep up with record travel demand over the August 30–September 2, 2025 National Day holiday, the 80th anniversary of independence, with authorities ordering more flights, longer airport hours, and stronger crowd support to keep journeys smooth.

Hanoi is the top draw this year, with hotel searches up 44 times from 2024 and central hotels reporting 40–50% higher occupancy. The city’s big-stage events — a grand military parade at 6:30 a.m. on September 2 at Ba Dinh Square and fireworks at five locations that night — are pulling travelers from across Vietnam and abroad.

Airlines have already lifted seat capacity by 30–40% on key domestic routes and continue to add departures on busy city pairs, especially Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi–Da Nang. The Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism have issued urgent orders to scale operations, manage heavy flows at Noi Bai International Airport, and coordinate security around event sites.

While carriers and airports promise extra staff and expanded facilities, they warn that crowds will be heavy and queues likely at peak hours. VisaVerge.com reports that carriers are urging early bookings and early check-in to avoid last-minute stress.

Policy actions to keep holiday travel moving

Authorities have directed airlines and airports to take immediate steps focused on capacity, staffing, and traveler support in Hanoi and other hubs:

• Increase daily frequencies and schedule charter flights on high-demand routes, prioritizing services to and from Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City.
• Extend airport operating hours, open more check-in counters and security lanes, and deploy additional ground teams at Noi Bai and other major airports to reduce wait times.
• Improve passenger support with multilingual information desks, expanded shuttle buses, and real-time digital updates on flight status and crowd levels through official apps.
• Work closely with police and local authorities to keep traffic moving, manage emergency response, and maintain security around airports and event venues.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has asked carriers to monitor load factors and add capacity where needed, while airports optimize terminal flows and baggage handling. Official directives and notices are posted by the regulator at the CAAV website: https://caav.gov.vn.

Hanoi’s tourism leaders say technology and regional links will help spread visitors across the city and nearby provinces. Dang Huong Giang, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, confirmed the rollout of self-guided routes, integrated digital maps, and AI-powered multilingual support to help travelers find events, museums, and transit options without crowding single corridors.

Deputy Director Tran Trung Hieu highlighted stronger connections by road and river to provinces around the capital to ease pressure on downtown streets and hotel clusters.

Security planning for the main parade is being led by the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security, with over 30,000 participants and wide road closures in central Hanoi. Rehearsals on August 27 and August 30 will temporarily restrict major arteries near Ba Dinh Square, with marshals and signage guiding alternative routes. Authorities say public transport and official shuttles will be the fastest way to reach viewing areas and museums.

Key takeaway: Expect heavy crowds and road closures around Ba Dinh Square. Public transport and official shuttles are recommended for reaching parade and fireworks viewing sites.

Impact on travelers and city logistics

For visitors, the message is clear: book early, plan movements carefully, and use official channels for updates.

Tour operators report tours to Hanoi and the northern region have doubled or tripled versus past years. The city’s hotel market shows rising rates as availability tightens. Upscale properties in central districts are starting around US$80 per night, though prices are climbing as rooms fill.

With most hotels near event sites already sold out, last-minute travelers will likely need to consider stays outside the core and rely on public transport or shuttles to reach events.

Noi Bai International Airport measures and services:

• Added check-in desks and expanded security screening.
• Reinforced baggage handling systems.
• Free shuttle buses connecting terminals and select city points to reduce taxi queues and traffic peaks.
• Digital tools (airport and tourism apps) offering wayfinding, live crowd maps, and flight status updates.

The holiday runs Saturday, August 30, through Tuesday, September 2 for most sectors, with some workers enjoying a fifth day off. Several museums and cultural sites in Hanoi will open free of charge from September 1–3, with special exhibitions and select night tours aimed at spreading visits beyond daytime peaks.

To keep streets moving, officials have mapped alternative routes during parade rehearsals and the main event, with signs and announcements directing travelers around closures.

Industry observers say 2025 could set a new record for National Day travel. Hanoi’s tourism infrastructure — upgraded since the pandemic — faces its biggest test of the recovery era, with customer service and crowd control under the microscope.

Analysts also note a shift in domestic travel patterns: Hanoi and northern provinces are drawing more visitors from the south and center, reversing earlier trends and lifting demand for cross-regional transport. Combined with a 28.3% annual rise in National Day visitors to Hanoi since 2022, the shift suggests the capital is gaining momentum as a cultural long-weekend hub.

Airlines and travel agencies are offering more flexible rebooking and cancellation rules around the holiday, which may help families adjust plans as event details and weather forecasts evolve. Still, with capacity tight, any last-minute changes could be costly in time, so officials continue to urge early action.

The government says it will keep tracking bookings in real time and could authorize further flight additions or temporary infrastructure expansions if pressure rises.

Practical guidance for travelers to Hanoi during National Day

1. Book flights and hotels as early as possible, especially if you plan to watch the parade or fireworks.
2. Check official event schedules and road closure notices before you travel and each morning of your stay.
3. Arrive at airports at least 2–3 hours before departure; expect longer queues during early mornings and late evenings.
4. Use official shuttle buses and public transport to reach Ba Dinh Square and other event sites; avoid driving into restricted zones.
5. Download official tourism and airport apps for live updates on flights, crowds, and routes.
6. Follow instructions from marshals, police, and event staff to keep crowds moving and safe.

Officials point travelers to these resources for updates: the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the Hanoi Department of Tourism, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, and Noi Bai International Airport. Airlines will post specific flight changes and additional services on their websites first, followed by airport and city advisories.

Sector implications and lessons learned

For the tourism sector, the long weekend is both a stress test and an opportunity to showcase service quality to domestic and international guests. If operations run smoothly, executives say the holiday could set Vietnam up for strong year-end travel, with Hanoi at the center of regional promotions.

Lessons from the rush — especially the use of real-time data and digital tools — are expected to shape future event planning, with a focus on:

• Spreading demand across time and place.
• Improving basic services (check-in, security, baggage handling).
• Keeping costs predictable for families.

If pressure rises, officials may authorize further flight additions or temporary infrastructure expansions to maintain service levels and safety.