Hanoi (VNA) – International media on September 2 gave extensive coverage to the celebration and parade marking the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2, 1945–2025) in Hanoi, with many reports highlighting the event’s scale, historical significance, and diplomatic message.
Major outlets including Singapore’s The Straits Times, Malaysia’s New Straits Times, The Laotian Times of Laos, Cuba’s Granma newspaper, as well as global news agencies such as Reuters, AP, AFP, and Al Jazeera, emphasised that the parade was not only a large-scale display but also a moment for Vietnam to reaffirm its historic milestones and current development path.
Reports from AFP and AP described the atmosphere as thousands of people packed the streets to witness the largest parade in decades, featuring strong contingents of military personnel and advanced equipment.
AP noted the participation of honour guards from China, Russia, Laos, and Cambodia, reflecting the country’s “international friendship.” For the first time, Vietnam also organised a televised naval parade off the coast of Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa province, featuring warships, submarines, helicopters, and seaplanes.
AFP highlighted the solemn and emotional atmosphere as the Vietnam People’s Air Force opened the parade to commemorate the August Revolution and National Day, capturing wide attention and admiration from the public and international friends alike. The agency described how, amid a sea of red flags with yellow stars, marching contingents passed the grandstand before dispersing along central streets to the cheers of citizens.
Reuters reported that the anniversary featured the largest military parade in decades and reflected the vibrant spirit in Hanoi, where residents filled the streets waving national flags. It also noted a series of activities accompanying the anniversary, including an exhibition on socio-economic achievements, which express Vietnam’s spirit of solidarity and aspiration for development.
The Laotian Times gave special attention to this exhibition, publishing an article titled “Vietnam Tells Its 80-Year Journey at a World Top 10 Exhibition Venue”. The piece described the exhibition as not only a commemoration but also a chance to retrace Vietnam’s journey from President Ho Chi Minh’s Declaration of Independence in 1945 to the country’s socio-economic accomplishments in the era of renewal and integration.
Covering fields from economy, science and technology, defence, education, and culture to daily life, the exhibition was praised for its innovative use of technologies such as virtual reality, digital models, and interactive AR/VR presentations that allow visitors to experience history as if they were truly there. According to the article, the exhibition was a clear statement that Vietnam is moving forward—open to the world, brimming with creativity, and aspiring to integration.
Regional media also drew attention to different aspects of the celebration. The Straits Times focused on the display of military equipment, underlining Vietnam’s determination to modernise its armed forces.
From Latin America, Granma, the organ of the Communist Party of Cuba, commended the solidarity, resilience, and strength of the Vietnamese people over eight decades.
Meanwhile, Middle Eastern outlets such as the Al Jazeera TV channel reported that tens of thousands of people gathered in Hanoi on September 2, reflecting the strong national spirit. At Ba Dinh Square – where President Ho Chi Minh declared independence in 1945, the parade unfolded with modern military equipment in an atmosphere of nationwide pride and joy./.
