High-end restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City hit capacity for Reunification Day festivities

The combination of a large-scale military parade, street festivities, and fireworks shows is drawing crowds eager to secure the best views from luxury dining spots.

Some customers are unable to secure seats even after offering to pay double.

Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reported on Sunday that restaurants in downtown Ho Chi Minh City were seeing brisk business in the lead-up to this year’s Reunification Day celebrations.

A Japanese restaurant perched on the 28th floor of a high-rise building on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street in District 1 decided to offer two time slots to accommodate the influx of diners on April 30, said an employee.

“On April 30, we’ll serve guests from 5:00 pm to 7:45 pm and from 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm. The second slot is already fully booked,” shared the representative of the restaurant, which can offer a panoramic view of the city, perfect for watching the fireworks.

Similarly, Elisa Floating Restaurant, located on the Saigon River in District 1, is attracting the interest of residents and tourists for its outdoor and rooftop seating areas.

“We’re seeing strong demand from families who wish to enjoy the atmosphere and the show,” said a representative of the restaurant.

L.A.T., an employee of a farm produce company based in Hanoi, shared that she and her family members would stay at a five-star hotel on Ton Duc Thang Street in District 1 on April 30 and May 1 to watch the high-altitude fireworks show.

However, she remained unable to secure a dinner reservation at the hotel, despite offering to pay double.

Willing to spend for a once-in-a-lifetime night

More than 10,000 drones will take to the sky over Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of April 30, creating a visual narrative of the city's journey since reunification, and marking the country’s largest-ever drone performance.

Nguyen Thi An, a resident of Quang Ngai Province in central Vietnam, decided to make the most of the historic night in the southern metropolis.

Her family will treat themselves to a luxury buffet at the Majestic Saigon Hotel overlooking the festivities.

“The buffet costs around VND3 million [US$116] per person, exclusive of taxes. For four of us, it’s over VND12 million [$464],” she said.

“Despite the high fees, it will be a special night – 50 years only comes once,” she said.

Ho Hoai Phuong, manager of a French restaurant on Thai Van Lung Street in District 1, said staffing and supply needs are up significantly.

“We will revise menu prices up by 10 percent to cover holiday wages during the upcoming holiday,” he explained.

The price hike has not deterred diners.

“Even our regulars had no complaints about the higher rates,” Phuong said.

“We only have five out of 50 tables left for April 30.”

Hotpot, barbecue, and buffet restaurants are traditionally packed during the Reunification Day holiday.

Notably, this year’s holiday will feature a historic military parade and spectacular fireworks displays at 30 locations across the city, prompting expectations of a tourism boom.

Restaurant booking managers recommend making reservations well in advance to avoid disappointment.