Hanoi Residents Open Their Doors and Bathrooms to Tourists

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In a heartwarming move to welcome tourists, 24 households, restaurants, and local businesses in Truc Bach Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, have voluntarily opened their restrooms for public use—completely free of charge.

This initiative, part of the Free Restroom model launched by the Truc Bach People’s Committee in early March, is transforming everyday shops into spots of hospitality. The goal? Make sure no visitor is left searching desperately for a bathroom.

According to Mr. Le Tat Thanh, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Truc Bach Ward, the pilot program is currently focused on busy areas like Truc Bach, Hang Than, and Ngu Xa Food and Walking Street. “Participation is completely voluntary,” he shared. “But it’s already creating a more welcoming environment for both locals and tourists.”

And the response has been inspiring. So far, 24 locations have put up the signature blue “Free Restroom” sign. By the April 30–May 1 holiday, officials hope that 80% of the ward’s streets will join the movement.

People like Ms. Nguyen Thi Vinh, 58, who runs a popular pho cuon shop on Ngu Xa Street, are leading the charge. “It’s not a big deal,” she said modestly. “I just want visitors to feel at home here.” She’s even encouraged her neighbors to join the effort.

Right next door, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, owner of a local restaurant, has embraced the initiative with enthusiasm. Long before the program’s official launch, she was already letting people use her restroom—no questions asked. “This is how we show Truc Bach’s friendly, civilized spirit,” she said. Although she admits it might be a bit challenging to manage the flow of visitors, she’s prepared to have staff help guide them and keep everything clean.

“The blue smiley logo says it all,” Ms. Hoa added. “Visitors can relax, knowing they’ll always find a clean and free restroom nearby.”

For travelers like Gai, a 25-year-old tourist from Israel, it’s a pleasant surprise. Visiting Hanoi for the first time, she was impressed to see the Free Restroom signs along Hang Than Street. “In other cities, public restrooms often cost money and aren’t very clean,” she said. “But this feels different—the slogan ‘make yourself happy’ really adds to the experience.”

While Truc Bach is the latest to adopt the idea, it’s not the first. Since 2023, Ho Chi Minh City has rallied businesses and households across several districts to offer free restrooms. By the end of 2024, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment reported that around 1,900 businesses and public offices had joined the cause.

With small but meaningful gestures like this, Vietnam is proving that sometimes the best kind of hospitality is simply opening the door—especially to a clean, free restroom.

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