In a directive issued July 14, officials encouraged businesses and residents to make free restroom access a permanent cultural practice, as part of the city’s “Bright – Green – Clean – Beautiful” campaign.

The National Day events, including large-scale parades and ceremonies, are expected to attract around 30,000 participants and millions of tourists.

But Hanoi faces a chronic shortage of public toilets, with only 351 facilities citywide, including 176 permanent brick structures, 91 stainless steel units and 84 mobile restrooms.

To tackle the problem, Hanoi’s chairman Tran Sy Thanh earlier proposed incentives for hotels, restaurants and malls to let the public use their restrooms for free.

Some districts are already taking action. On Nguyen Van Tuyet Street, all food businesses have pledged to open their restrooms to the public. In Truc Bach Ward, a “Free Restroom” pilot program is running along tourist-heavy streets like Truc Bach, Hang Than and the Ngu Xa walking-food street.