The atmosphere of the 80th National Day anniversary is spreading across all regions of the country. As a destination just about 2 hours away from Hanoi, Bai Chay – the vibrant tourist center of Quang Ninh – is becoming the top choice for many Northern tourists for a short holiday on September 2nd .
Close enough to return to the Capital in time for the September 2nd morning military parade, and also offering a full experience of festive celebrations with flags and flowers, and entertainment, Bai Chay is more vibrant than ever during the major holiday season.
At Sun World Ha Long - the entertainment heart of Bai Chay, along from the Dragon Park gate to Sun Hill, hundreds of red-starred flags fluttered across the sky, highlighted by a giant national flag made from thousands of red and yellow flowers, a place where tourists are almost always present for check-ins.
On the very first morning of the holiday break, thousands of tourists joined in the bustling atmosphere of the Flashmob performance “Proudly Stepping Towards the Future”.
Sun World Ha Long also "treats" visitors with a series of performances by international artists and diverse experiential activities, stretching from morning to night at three main zones: Golden Dragon Fountain, Dragon Park, and Sun Hill.
Just over 1km from Sun World Ha Long, Sun Carnival Square is also a focal point in Bai Chay with a series of special events for the September 2nd holiday. On the evening of the first day of the August 30th holiday, thousands of residents and tourists flocked here to admire the spectacular 10-minute fireworks display, lighting up the night sky of the heritage bay.
The fireworks night not only brings a visually stunning feast but also truly becomes a place of community bonding – where everyone feels they belong to something grand and proud: the homeland.
Before the fireworks, visitors also flocked to the Vui-Fest night market adjacent to the fireworks area, enjoying local specialties while immersing themselves in street music and vibrant interactive activities. The festive atmosphere spread through every stall, every step, making it an ideal meeting point for the whole family before the moment the sky lights up.
On the morning of September 2nd, a solemn flag-raising ceremony will take place at the flagpole of Sun Carnival Square. The National flag will fly against the blue sky, accompanied by the National Anthem, witnessed by a large number of people, officials, and tourists. This activity joins the jubilant atmosphere celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day, aiming to honor the national spirit and awaken national pride.
Also on the morning of September 2nd, visitors to Sun Carnival Square will have the opportunity to admire a performance of giant hot air balloons printed with the red flag with a yellow star flying against the heritage sky - an image that promises many emotions on the nation's important holiday.
This special hot air balloon is expected to reach a height of up to 31m, a diameter of 26m, with a maximum lifting capacity of 1,550kg and the ability to carry 18–20 people per trip, offering visitors an experience of panoramic views of Ha Long Bay from an impressive height – where the Vietnamese national flag proudly flies in the blue sky.
Not only appearing on National Day, the hot air balloon is expected to continue operating periodically until the end of December 2025, offering a unique experience for visitors when visiting Bai Chay at any time during the final months of the year. The image of the national flag flying in the sky amidst the seascape of Ha Long Bay therefore not only a symbol of pride, but also becomes a new check-in highlight in Quang Ninh at the end of the year.
Although she has been to Quang Ninh many times, Ms. Thu Ha (Hanoi) still chose Bai Chay as her stopover for this year's holiday. "Thinking of September 2nd makes me think of the Fatherland, so when I saw information that a large flag was erected here, followed by a flag-raising ceremony and fireworks, my whole family decided to go right away. The atmosphere was very festive, and the spirit of pride was strongly spread," she shared.