The new Vietnam National Exhibition Center in Hanoi is very large. It covers about 90 hectares, and the complex has nearly 900,000 square meters in total. When I first saw it, I was surprised because it is so modern and vast. The main circular hall, Kim Quy, alone is over 104,000 m². The building looks strong and beautiful. I felt proud because this place shows how much Vietnam has grown.
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I decided to visit on September 2nd, Vietnam’s National Day. This year was very important: 80 years of independence. For Vietnamese people, this is the most meaningful day. The exhibition is free until September 15, so many people came from different provinces and cities.
I left my house at 6:00 in the morning, but even at that time the roads were busy. My home is only about 10 km away, but I was stuck in traffic for 6 hours. It was very hot, I was tired and thirsty, but I saw thousands of people also waiting. I thought: it’s okay, this day is worth it. The main exhibition hall opened only at 9:00 AM. When I arrived early, many people were already standing and waiting outside. I saw the long lines, and I knew it would be very hard to enter. I didn’t want to spend hours pushing through crowds, so I decided to go to another area first.
I went to House A, and honestly, it was a good choice. This hall was cooler and more comfortable because it has air conditioning. Also, it was less crowded, so I could enjoy everything slowly.
- Traditions of 54 ethnic groups: colorful clothes, traditional food, handicrafts, village products.
- Art exhibitions: beautiful paintings and very fine sculptures made from wood and stone.
- Performance stage: traditional songs and music from different regions of Vietnam.
- Food area: many stalls with different dishes, prices were reasonable.
- Resting place: a big waiting area with chairs to sit or even lie down to rest.
I liked this place a lot. It showed the diversity of Vietnam’s culture in one building. Even though I could not see the whole exhibition, House A already gave me many memories.
At 9:00 AM, the main exhibition finally opened. But when the doors opened, the crowd was too big. Thousands of people moved in at the same time. I tried, but it was impossible. Too many people were pushing, so I gave up. I felt really sad and disappointed, because I know that hall is the most important one, showing many national achievements.
This is my biggest regret of the day: I traveled, waited, and was ready, but finally I could not enter the main area.
Even with traffic, waiting, and missing the main hall, I am still happy that I came. Being there on September 2nd with so many Vietnamese people made me emotional. I saw how proud everyone felt about the country. The exhibition center is not just a building; it is a symbol that Vietnam is moving forward.
If you plan to visit, here is my advice:
Go early but pick a less crowded day. On September 2nd it was too many people.
Decide beforehand which area you most want to see. The complex is huge, so you might be tired and miss important parts.
Be ready for traffic jams and waiting, especially if you go by car or motorbike.
Bring water and snacks if it’s hot.
The Vietnam National Exhibition Center is amazing. It’s big, modern, full of culture and history. My first visit was not perfect, but unforgettable. I saw House A with culture and art, felt the energy of thousands of people, and I was there on the 80th anniversary of independence.
I will try to go back again before September 15 to see the main hall and other areas. I want to share more with everyone, because this place is really worth visiting.
