Asian Traditional New Year Exchange 2026: Connecting Cultures, Spreading Friendship in Hanoi
	Ha Noi Offers Free Public Transport During Holiday Period

Young people take photos with the view of Long Bien Bridge. (Photo: Mai Huyen/Vietnam+)

This year’s April 30 - May 1 holiday sees many young people opting for “staycations,” turning the city center into a “slow living” destination filled with diverse experiences and endless choices.

From authentic eateries and “million-view check-in spots” to “healing” spaces amid lush greenery, today’s youth are embracing a fresh way to recharge and enjoy their holidays.

Fairytale Flower Wharf

Located at the foot of Long Bien Bridge, Phuc Xa Flower Wharf is a riverside alluvial area along the Red River that was transformed into a green public space at the end of 2024. Once a seemingly forgotten piece of land, it has been revitalized through the efforts of local authorities, organizations, and residents into an open flower garden. Featuring a variety of blooms, chrysanthemums, cosmos, butterfly flowers, sunflowers, and more, it now offers a vibrant, colorful green space right in the heart of the city.

Due to its prime location, the “flower wharf” quickly became a popular check-in spot, attracting both locals and tourists, especially in the early morning and late afternoon, the ideal times to watch the sunrise or sunset over the Red River.

Entering this serene space (entrance fee: VND 20,000 per person), visitors find that, thanks to minimal commercialization, it retains a natural and intimate atmosphere. This authenticity has made Phuc Xa Flower Wharf a favorite choice among young people seeking a refreshing “break” in the heart of the city.

A romantic sunset scene at Phuc Xa flower wharf. (Photo: Mai Huyen/Vietnam+)

Picnic Spot

More than just a walking area, the Hanoi Botanical Garden has become a favorite picnic destination for young people who prefer not to travel far during the holidays. With gentle slopes, wide grassy lawns, and shady ancient trees, it offers the perfect setting to spread out a mat and enjoy light outdoor meals.

The growing popularity of these “green lungs” reflects a rising desire among youth to connect with nature. Huyen My (22, a businesswoman in Hanoi) shared her experience: “I usually prepare snacks like fruit, pastries, and drinks to bring along. When I go with friends, we combine it with activities like taking photos, playing board games, or reading.”

Many young people even add light decorations to create personalized spaces for photos and memories. This trend of picnicking in urban green spaces highlights a shift in holiday preferences: prioritizing nature-friendly experiences, reasonable costs, and flexible schedules.

Huyen My chose a picnic at the Botanical Garden for this year's April 30th holiday. (Photo: Mai Huyen/Vietnam+)

Traditional Experience at O Dong Lam

On the small street of O Dong Lam - one of Hanoi’s ancient city gates, located at the intersection of Le Duan, Dai Co Viet, and Dao Duy Anh streets - the “bamboo tube café” model is drawing the attention of young people with its fresh approach to enjoying beverages.

Instead of glass or plastic cups, the café serves drinks in bamboo tubes, a material deeply rooted in Vietnamese tradition. Each bamboo cup is both familiar and novel: environmentally friendly, reusable, and even transformable into plant pots or decorative items.

The café space is decorated with flags and flowers, and offers a creative activity - painting conical hats. For just VND 50,000, visitors can design their own small conical hats and take them home as charming souvenirs. According to Khuat Nghia, the café’s manager, the idea was inspired by a desire to create products that embody Vietnamese culture while encouraging sustainable consumer habits.

By blending beverages, interactive experiences, and cultural messages, the bamboo tube café has become more than just a check-in destination. It is a place where young people can reconnect with their roots and gain a deeper appreciation of traditional culture.

Drinking coffee in bamboo tubes and painting conical hats. (Photo: Mai Huyen/Vietnam+)

Photobooth in the Style of a “Print Newspaper”

Unique print newspaper photo booth.

Amidst the bustling Old Quarter, a striking yellow booth emblazoned with the words "Ban tin Viet Nam" (Vietnam News) has become a unique check-in spot for tourists, especially Gen Z. Moving beyond traditional photo studios with staged backdrops, this photobooth embraces the trend of “bringing cameras to the streets,” turning Hanoi’s everyday scenery into a stunning backdrop.

Step into the frame, and behind you might be a familiar street corner, passing traffic, or simply the authentic rhythm of life in the capital. No elaborate posing is required - the spontaneity of each shot makes the photos feel natural and truly capture the essence of Hanoi.

The highlight lies in the final product: instead of a typical photobooth print, the photo is designed like a miniature newspaper page. Complete with a title, layout, and a “news bulletin” vibe, it looks as though it has just been published in a pocket-sized newspaper.

The highlight lies in the final product: instead of a typical photobooth print, the photo is designed like a miniature newspaper page. Complete with a title, layout, and a “news bulletin” vibe, it looks as though it has just been published in a pocket-sized newspaper.

Charming Afternoon Treats of the Old Quarter

Hanoi’s Old Quarter remains a captivating culinary hub for visitors seeking the city’s most authentic flavors. More than just a “paradise” of traditional dishes, it offers a unique rhythm of dining, where within just a few streets you can enjoy everything from hearty meals to irresistible afternoon snacks.

Throughout the day, the Old Quarter buzzes with countless stalls serving national favorites such as pho, bun cha, banh cuon (steamed rice rolls), nom (salad), pork rib porridge, banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches), and cha ca (grilled fish). These dishes may be found elsewhere, but savoring them amid the atmosphere of the “36 Streets” truly reveals the essence of the capital.

Visitors often sit on simple plastic chairs, eat quickly, and chat animatedly in the midst of the bustling crowds. It is precisely this rustic, unpretentious style, unique to Hanoi, that adds to the charm, drawing even international politicians to experience it when visiting the city.

Some of the most frequently mentioned spots in guidebooks include: Khoi Hoi beef pho, Huong Lien bun cha, Trang Beo bun rieu, Ba Hoanh banh cuon, May sticky rice, Ba Loi pork rib porridge, and Thang Long cha ca.

Enjoying a refreshing dessert while admiring the bustling Old Quarter. (Photo: Mai Huyen/Vietnam+)

Each afternoon, after a relaxing pause at a café overlooking the city streets, visitors can continue their culinary journey at a more leisurely pace with Hanoi’s signature snacks: cool tofu pudding, Bon Mua sweet soup, Ba Thin's sticky rice with sweet soup, Hang Than coconut ice cream, hot fried donuts on Hang Chieu Street, Ham Long fruit salad, Hoan Kiem Lake dried beef salad, Gia’s fried fermented pork rolls in Tam Thuong Alley - or simply reminiscing with a classic Trang Tien ice cream.

A little taste of everything allows you to slowly savor the portrait of Hanoi at day’s end, capturing the essence of a truly leisurely holiday in the capital.

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