Holiday programme «Công Đoàn Vui Chơi 2/9» (Union Playground)

   For five days straight, a community mall rebuilt from an old factory in Đống Đa keeps its doors open from morning to late night, so you can spend the National Day break without leaving town. Live music, film screenings, workshops, swing dancing, a food court and quiet green corners all sit at one address in central Hanoi, and walking in costs nothing.

   This is the culture, creativity and play programme that COMPLEX 01 put together for the holiday, spread across six strands: shopping, food, music, cinema, workshops and games. There is no single main stage here, the whole complex turns into a playground and you set your own pace.

   What is on
Music nights and swing dancing sessions open to all ages
Film screenings inside the complex
Creative workshops for adults and children
Games and entertainment corners
Food court, coffee shops and local brand stalls
Green areas to sit down between activities

   It suits families with children, groups of friends staying in Hanoi over the holiday and anyone who simply wants a slow afternoon: eat something good, catch a film, try one workshop and head home.

   The venue: COMPLEX 01 describes itself as a community mall reclaimed from industrial heritage, a former factory in an alley off Tây Sơn now holding shops, food, cinema and art under one roof. Inside you will find the White Light Cinéhub screening rooms, the Heritage Art Space gallery with its HAS Library, the ONION Gaming Club eSports venue and several cafés.

   Worth knowing: entry to the complex is free, but individual activities inside may charge a fee depending on the programme, so ask at the counter of the activity itself.

   Questions about the programme go to [email protected].

   Independence was declared on 2 September 1945, and Hanoi marks the anniversary with concerts and fireworks downtown. If you would rather have the holiday at a calmer scale, this is the easiest place to arrange to meet: one address, five days and enough going on to fill a whole evening.