Top 14 Best Places to Visit in Hanoi for the 30th April Holiday

Much like the Suoi Tien Park in Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ho Water Park is an ideal destination for children and young people to enjoy during the 30th April holiday. Located in the Nhật Tân ward, Tây Hồ district, the park spans about 8.1 hectares. The park's design is unique and colorful, catering to the interests of both kids and teenagers.

With an array of exciting attractions such as the love cabin, Thang Long steel dragon, pirate ship, flying saucer, tsunami wave pool, octopus carousel, twisting slides, bungee jumping, bumper cars, and ball pits, Tay Ho Water Park is sure to keep you active and entertained for the entire day. Your holiday will be even more memorable as you splash around in the clean, refreshing waters and enjoy thrilling rides.

Located just 8 kilometers from the heart of Hanoi, Bao Son Paradise is one of the largest entertainment destinations in the capital. During each 30th April and 1st May holiday, the park adds more exciting attractions to draw visitors, especially families with children. Bao Son Paradise is an entertainment complex that includes a theme park, a conservation area showcasing cultural and culinary experiences, a high-tech amusement zone, and a circus performance area.

One of its standout features is a large aquarium. Children will be thrilled to explore an underwater world full of fascinating sea creatures, including sharks, seals, and sea lions. The park also offers remarkable circus performances, featuring talented dolphins and seals. During the 30th April and 1st May holidays this year, Bao Son Paradise will host a variety of cultural and entertainment activities to provide the best experience for visitors.

Located about 40 kilometers to the west of Hanoi, Dong Mo is the gateway to the Sơn Tây – Ba Vì tourism region. It is considered one of the best places for a 30th April holiday trip near Hanoi, ideal for families. This spot offers the perfect combination of entertainment, fresh air, and great food, making it an excellent choice for a family getaway.

In addition, Dong Mo features various outdoor activities that children will love, such as bamboo shoot picking, chicken catching, and fishing. As a result, it has become a popular destination for families, especially those with young children.

During the 30th April - 1st May holiday this year, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology will host a variety of activities such as crafting traditional toys, playing folk games, performing water puppetry, and staging puppet shows to enhance the visitor experience. Additionally, the museum houses an impressive collection of cultural artifacts representing all 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam.

Alongside these artifacts, the exhibition rooms display photographs and documentary films that provide insights into both tangible and intangible aspects of cultural life. These displays highlight the customs, traditions, and creativity of the different ethnic communities. With its diverse exhibits and recreated traditional architecture, the Museum of Ethnology is sure to be an intriguing destination for travelers who love to explore and learn, especially during the holiday season.

Thu Le Park, also known as the Hanoi Zoo, is located in a scenic area covering about 29 hectares. The park features a vast lake with a long embankment that resembles a winding dragon or snake. The park is divided into several sections, including a reptile zone with snakes, monitor lizards, and crocodiles. These animals are housed in naturalistic enclosures surrounded by water, creating the ideal habitat for them. The bird section is home to peacocks, pheasants, mandarin ducks, storks, cranes, and various songbirds like nightingales and thrushes.

The park stretches along the path leading to the Voi Phuc Temple. The wild animal zone is home to tigers, leopards, lions, and bears, housed in cave-like enclosures, while other areas feature deer, monkeys, civets, gibbons, and elephants. With its diverse collection of rare animals and lush, green surroundings, Thu Le Park is always a popular destination for visitors to explore and enjoy during the 30th April - 1st May holiday season.

The Botanical Gardens is a lush green park located in the northwest of Hanoi, often referred to as the capital's 'green lung'. The garden is home to hundreds of rare plant species, both native and foreign. With its refreshing greenery, visitors can immerse themselves in the soothing sights and sounds of nature.

Amid the hustle and bustle of the city, the Botanical Gardens stand out as a peaceful, tranquil space where one can escape the stresses of daily life. If you're seeking relaxation and a deep connection with nature during the 30th April - 1st May holiday, the Botanical Gardens is the perfect choice for you.

Hoan Kiem Lake is a beloved and iconic destination in Hanoi that you can't miss during any holiday. The area around Hoan Kiem Lake is filled with charming spots, including the famous Trang Tien ice cream, the picturesque Thuy Ta restaurant, the Turtle Tower, the Pen Tower, and the iconic The Huc Bridge. Additionally, you can take a short walk to nearby streets like Nguyen Xi and Dinh Le to pick up a good book.

With numerous cafes offering beautiful views and a romantic atmosphere, Hoan Kiem Lake is undoubtedly an ideal place for young couples to meet and relax during the 30th April - 1st May holiday.

Located about 10 km from Hanoi city center, along the Bac Thang Long - Noi Bai Road, then turning onto National Route 2 for another 12 km towards Phuc Yen Town (Vinh Phuc Province), visitors can reach the stunning Dai Lai Lake, which sits on the borders of the Ngoc Thanh and Cao Minh communes. This is an ideal getaway spot for the 30th April and 1st May holidays.

Thanks to the shelter provided by the Tam Dao mountain range and the nearby peaks of Cot Co, Mo Qua, and Than Lan, the area enjoys a cool and pleasant climate. After enjoying the breathtaking views of Dai Lai Lake, visitors can take a 3-minute speedboat ride or a 10-minute rowboat ride to visit Ngoc Island, located in the heart of the lake. For a more romantic experience, visitors can pedal a swan boat to the island, soaking in the peaceful waters while exploring the scenic beauty surrounding the lake.

Known for its long history of producing exquisite yet simple ceramic pieces, Bat Trang Ceramic Village is not only a hub for crafting beautiful pottery but also a popular tourist destination. This village, once solely focused on creating high-quality ceramics, now attracts visitors who appreciate traditional craftsmanship and the value of cultural heritage.

Located just over 10 km from Hanoi's city center, Bat Trang rests peacefully by the poetic Red River. During the 4-day 30th April and 1st May holiday, it’s the perfect place for a family outing to relax and explore. In addition to purchasing handcrafted pottery, visitors can engage in pottery-making themselves. The pottery workshops here are especially fun and educational for children.

Located not far from Hanoi, Duong Lam Ancient Village, situated in Son Tay Town, is one of Hanoi’s famous tourist attractions. This is the first ancient village in Vietnam to be recognized as a National Historic and Cultural Monument by the government in 2006.

With its unique architecture and the artistic features of a traditional Vietnamese village from the Red River Delta, Duong Lam ranks just behind the Old Quarters of Hanoi and Hoi An in both scale and artistic value, making it a must-see destination in Hanoi. When visiting, don’t forget to capture beautiful photos along the ancient brick-paved streets.

Located just 50km from the center of Hanoi, with its fresh air and stunning natural scenery, the Quan Son Ecotourism Area is often compared to a 'miniature Ha Long Bay' of Hanoi. Quan Son Lake is an attractive destination for the 30/4 and 1/5 holiday, offering a perfect choice for a one-day trip around Hanoi.

The Quan Son area consists of an 850-hectare lake located across five communes in My Duc district, around 50km from Hanoi. The beauty of Quan Son Lake is highlighted by the towering limestone mountains surrounding the lake, and the water is adorned with lush vegetation, including lotus flowers and various aquatic plants.

Each year during the 30/4 - 1/5 holiday, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is considered one of the most meaningful tourist attractions in Hanoi. The Mausoleum is located at the heart of Ba Dinh Square. For many visitors from across the country, visiting the Mausoleum during this period is a traditional way to honor the roots and history of the nation.

Visitors of all ages, from children to the elderly, come to pay their respects. It’s also an ideal spot to relax and immerse yourself in the refreshing natural surroundings. If you visit the Mausoleum early in the morning, you’ll be able to witness the sacred flag-raising ceremony at Ba Dinh Square.

During the 30/4 - 1/5 holiday, shopping malls in the heart of the city are fully prepared to cater to everyone’s needs. You can visit these malls to shop, relax, or enjoy various fun activities such as group games and exercises to create a cheerful atmosphere throughout the holiday. Some must-visit shopping centers include:

• Royal City: This mall offers a classy, cool, and clean atmosphere that feels like you're in an international city. The Royal City complex follows global standards, featuring the Vincom Mega Mall (VMM) for shopping. You can also enjoy Vietnam’s first indoor water park – Vinpearl Water Park Royal City, or the largest indoor ice rink in the country – Vinpearl Ice Rink Royal City. In addition, there are various entertainment zones, including 2D, 3D, and 4D cinemas, along with other recreational activities suitable for all ages.
• Vincom Center Ba Trieu: Here, you can shop from a wide range of international brands and enjoy many exciting entertainment activities. Floors 1 to 4 are dedicated to fashion and cosmetics, clearly divided by gender and age. On the 5th floor, there’s a gaming world with the latest machines, while the 6th floor features the upscale fitness club Elite Fitness.
• Aquarium at Times City: At the aquarium in Times City, you’ll be mesmerized by the fascinating marine life in crystal-clear water. Explore the mysterious underwater world, especially the penguins from Antarctica and the reptile cave home to various reptiles of all sizes.

This year, the 30/4 and 1/5 holiday falls on the weekend, making it the perfect time to explore Hanoi's Old Quarter. The local authorities have designated this area as a pedestrian zone to cater to both locals and tourists seeking leisure and entertainment. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore historic architecture, sample traditional Hanoi delicacies, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of the weekend night markets. These markets are bustling with energy, offering a truly immersive experience.

As a pedestrian-only zone, the Old Quarter has become a hub for street bands, drawing in large crowds, especially the younger generation. Additionally, visitors can relax in quaint, old-fashioned coffee shops, enjoying a warm cup of coffee while taking in the peaceful, rustic charm of the area.