High-end restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City 'sold out' on parade day, paying double the price still no seats

On April 30 this year, there will be military parades, marches and fireworks displays at 30 locations. Table reservations at high-end restaurants are almost full - Photo: MT

Rarely available, or split into 2 time slots

On April 13, Tuoi Tre Online recorded the business situation of restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City during the April 30 holiday this year.

This Japanese restaurant is located on the 28th floor of a building on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street (Ben Nghe Ward, District 1). Guests can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and watch fireworks.

However, according to restaurant staff, the number of customers was too large during the parade to celebrate the 50th anniversary of national reunification, so the restaurant had to divide it into two time slots to serve all the customers.

"On April 30, the restaurant divided into two time slots, from 5pm to 7:45pm and from 8pm to 10:30pm. This year, the restaurant anticipated a surge in customers during the holiday, so it planned to divide the time slots to maximize the number of tables during the holiday.

The fee for both time slots is the same. However, the 7:45 pm slot is fully booked," said a representative of the restaurant.

Similarly, located in a close-up position to watch high-altitude fireworks in Ho Chi Minh City, a representative of Elisa Floating Restaurant (District 1) said that there are currently many customers interested in booking a seat at Elisa.

"The tables in the outdoor space or on the terrace area are almost all booked. This is a once-in-50-years holiday. We have noticed that the customers who booked tables are mainly families coming to enjoy the view," said a representative of Elisa Floating Restaurant.

Ms. LAT's family (an international sales employee of an agricultural company in Hanoi ) stayed at a 5-star hotel on Ton Duc Thang Street (District 1) for 2 nights, April 30 and May 1, to watch high-altitude fireworks in the Saigon River Tunnel area (Thu Duc City). However, she was "helpless" when booking a dinner table at the hotel restaurant.

Ms. LAT said that although she suggested to the staff to accept double charge, there was no change from the restaurant's reservation.

Spending money on a fancy restaurant because I don't want to miss this once in 50 years opportunity.

On the evening of April 30, Ho Chi Minh City will display more than 10,000 drones, creating impressive images of the city's 50-year journey after reunification.

This is a performance that sets a Vietnamese record for the largest number of drones flying at the same time. After buying tickets and booking a hotel, Ms. Nguyen Thi An's family ( Quang Ngai province) agreed to pay for a "luxury" buffet after watching the parade at the restaurant of the Majestic Saigon hotel.

Ms. An said that buffet parties here cost about 3 million VND/person, excluding tax. A family of four spent more than 12 million VND for dinner on the night of the fireworks display, after watching the parade during the day.

"Luckily, the restaurant in this hotel still has tables. I made a reservation on April 3. When I decided to travel to Ho Chi Minh City during the big holiday, a once-in-50-years celebration, I still wanted to experience the special dinner on April 30 even though it was expensive," said Ms. An.

According to Mr. Ho Hoai Phuong, manager of a restaurant (specializing in French cuisine) on Thai Van Lung Street (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), during the holidays the restaurant needs more staff and waiters to serve well the number of customers flocking to Ho Chi Minh City on the occasion of the April 30 holiday.

Mr. Phuong said: "We have increased the menu price by 10%. This increase is to pay employees who still work on holidays. Up to now, we only have 5/50 tables available for the evening of April 30 at the restaurant.

It is worth mentioning that no one who has paid a deposit to reserve a seat questions the restaurant's price increase, even regular customers."

As usual, hot pot buffet restaurants, grill restaurants, etc., to eateries and restaurants are always crowded on April 30. This year, April 30 will see parades, marches and fireworks displays at 30 locations, so the number of tourists to Ho Chi Minh City is expected to increase 2-3 times.

Reservation managers at restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City advise that to ensure a table at large restaurants, you need to make reservations early to avoid the situation of not having a table during the holidays, having an unsatisfactory experience, and having your travel schedule disrupted.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nha-hang-cao-cap-o-tp-hcm-chay-ban-ngay-dieu-binh-dieu-hanh-tra-gap-doi-tien-van-khong-co-cho-20250413171856237.htm