National Day celebrations rehearsed

A rehearsal of parades and activities celebrating the 70th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day took place at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi, on August 29 despite heavy rain.

Torch relay, a flag-raising ceremony, mass marches, and military parades were reviewed, among others.

Security and traffic were ensured during and after the rehearsal.

Up to 40,000 people are scheduled to join in a grand meeting and a massive parade at Hanoi's Ba Dinh Square on September 2 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2).
  
They represent armed forces and various social backgrounds, such as war veterans, workers, farmers, entrepreneurs, youth, women and ethnic minority people.

They will march from Ba Dinh square and go along major downtown streets in Hanoi in two directions, one heading to Nguyen Thai Hoc-Kim Ma-Lieu Giai, and the other to Nguyen Thai Hoc-Hang Khay-Trang Tien-Opera House.

Themed “Promoting the strength of the entire nation and being determined to build and firmly defend the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,” the live-broadcast parade aims to affirm the great historical values of the August Revolution and the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in the history of the nation’s multi-thousand-year construction and defence.

Prior to the march, a 21-gun salute will be fired from the Thang Long Royal Citadel, according to the national committee for major events organisation.

Following the march, a major art performance will be held featuring a series of famous singers.

Another immense music show will be organised on the evening of September 2. Firework displays will be fired in five locations in Hanoi, including Hoan Kiem Lake, Thong Nhat Park, Van Quan Lake, My Dinh Stadium, and West Lake.-VNA