How to get to tourist attractions in Hanoi during the April 30th - May 1st holiday in 2026.

To help residents and tourists have a smooth journey during the upcoming peak days, the Hanoi Department of Construction and other relevant agencies have issued detailed guidelines on traffic flow management, parking arrangements, and public transport operation. This article summarizes all the necessary information to help you plan your trip most effectively.

Regulations on traffic flow at the Ba Dinh Historical and Cultural Relic Complex

According to the Hanoi Department of Construction, for the Ba Dinh Historical and Cultural Relic Complex, passenger vehicles with 16 seats or more (excluding buses and vehicles of the armed forces) are prohibited from operating on Hoang Hoa Tham Street in the direction from Mai Xuan Thuong to Ngoc Ha, as well as on Ngoc Ha Street in the direction from Hoang Hoa Tham to Le Hong Phong. These vehicles are rerouted via the route Mai Xuan Thuong - Hoang Hoa Tham - Hung Vuong - Hoang Van Thu - Doc Lap - Chu Van An - Le Hong Phong - Ngoc Ha - Hoang Hoa Tham.

On Le Hong Phong street, vehicles with more than 16 seats are also prohibited from making U-turns at the Ngoc Ha - Le Hong Phong intersection. For passenger transport vehicles with more than 29 seats (excluding the driver) operating under contract, if they wish to transport passengers to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum during peak hours, they must contact the Traffic Police Department for written approval. The new regulations aim to ensure security and order and reduce traffic congestion in the area, which attracts a large number of tourists during the holiday.

Eight parking lots are available to serve visitors to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Hanoi city has arranged eight parking spaces to serve tourists and locals visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum during the holiday. The dispersed parking areas around the mausoleum help reduce congestion and allow visitors to choose a convenient location that suits their travel route.

List of 8 parking lots in the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area

Information about these parking areas will be provided to groups that have pre-registered with the Mausoleum Command to help them plan their routes. Individual visitors and those driving themselves are encouraged to research the nearest parking location to their itinerary beforehand to save time.

Free bus and metro service during the April 30th - May 1st holiday in 2026.

A noteworthy piece of information is that from now until April 27th and during the April 30th - May 1st holiday, the entire subsidized bus system (including VinBus electric buses) and the two urban railway lines, Cat Linh - Ha Dong and Nho Son - Hanoi Station, will provide completely free service to the public. This is a great opportunity for tourists to experience the capital's modern public transportation system without worrying about the cost.

Operating hours and frequency

Buses will operate from 4:30 AM to 10:30 PM daily, with a total of 17,300 to 17,600 trips, and flexible frequencies ranging from 5 to 30 minutes per trip depending on the route and time slot. Two tram lines will also operate from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM with a frequency of 10 minutes per trip, ensuring continuous service for passengers during peak days.

The optimal transportation option for tourists.

According to recommendations from authorities, residents and tourists can use the metro train to travel quickly between Nhon, Cau Giay, and Ha Dong, then transfer to a bus to reach the city center. This is considered the most optimal option to reach tourist destinations without worrying about costs or traffic congestion during holidays.

Traffic flow guidelines at the gateways to the capital city.

During the peak period from now until May 3rd, 2026, to reduce traffic congestion in and out of the capital, the Hanoi Department of Construction has issued specific traffic diversion plans for each route. Knowing these alternative routes helps drivers proactively choose suitable routes, avoiding frequently congested areas.

South

For vehicles traveling from the city center to Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, and other southern provinces, drivers can go straight to the Phap Van - Cau Gie interchange, or follow the old National Highway 1 route via Giai Phong - Ngoc Hoi to enter the expressway at the Van Diem - Dai Xuyen interchange. Another option is to take National Highway 6, then turn onto Road 21B, National Highway 38, or Phung Hung Road to the southern axis to access the expressway.

To alleviate congestion on the Phap Van Expressway, vehicles heading towards Hanoi should turn at the Liem Tuyen, Vuc Vong, Van Diem, and Thuong Tin interchanges to travel along National Highway 21B, National Highway 38, Provincial Road 427, or cross the Yen Le Bridge to Ring Road 3. Vehicles from Ngoc Hoi Road wishing to access the expressway can use Alley 15 Ngoc Hoi to reach the connecting branch.

Northeast and East

Vehicles traveling to Bac Ninh, Lang Son, Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh, and Hai Phong can use the Ring Road 3, Nhat Tan Bridge, and Chuong Duong Bridge to connect to the Hanoi-Bac Giang and Hanoi-Thai Nguyen expressways. An alternative option is to use Co Linh Road, Thanh Tri Bridge, the old National Highway 5, and Provincial Road 379 to reduce pressure on the main routes.

North and Northwest

For the North and Northwest, vehicles traveling to Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Son La, and Dien Bien can use Thang Long Bridge and National Highway 3 to access the Hanoi-Lao Cai Expressway, or take National Highway 32. Another route is via Thang Long Boulevard to the Hoa Lac-Hoa Binh Expressway, or along National Highway 6 to Phu Tho.

Important note for drivers

Authorities are advising drivers to strictly comply with the regulation prohibiting trucks over 10 tons from traveling through the Mai Dịch - Hồ Tùng Mậu intersection and the Thăng Long Boulevard - Phạm Hùng - Khuất Duy Tiến route towards the elevated Ring Road 3. Violations of this regulation will not only result in penalties but also seriously affect overall traffic conditions during peak days.