Hanoi (VNA) – Thousands of officers, soldiers, and civilians on August 30 morning took part in the final state-level rehearsal for the coming grand parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi.
Unlike previous evening practice runs, the full-dress rehearsal began at 6:30 am, signaling readiness for the official ceremony on September 2.
The event was attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; Permanent member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat Tran Cam Tu, also head of the central steering committee for major holidays and historical anniversaries in 2023–2025; Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation Nguyen Trong Nghia; Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh; Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang; and Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang.
The final review began with the torch relay and the lighting of the ceremonial flame – symbolising the aspirations of the Vietnamese people. The flame was entrusted to Lieutenant General Nguyen Duc Soat, Hero of the People’s Armed Forces and former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, renowned for his outstanding feats in downing six enemy aircraft and honoured as one of the heroic fighter pilots of Vietnam.
Immediately after, the national flag-raising ceremony was held, accompanied by a cannon salute from My Dinh Stadium. As the national anthem resounded, residents across the capital stood in solemn tribute.
Nearly 16,000 personnel participated, marching in 43 formations, with 26 from the military and 17 from the public security force, alongside foreign military contingents, military and police vehicles, and artillery units.
The official parade is scheduled for 6:30 am on September 2.
On the rainy night of August 29, crowds already lined Hanoi streets, eager to witness the spectacle. Thousands dressing in red shirts gathered along parade routes, staying up through the night to cheer on the soldiers. On the morning of August 30, despite the drizzle, citizens proudly joined the event.
To ensure security and order, military and police units have joined hands with local authorities to carry out plans covering traffic control, safety measures, and logistics issues. Hundreds of temporary parking lots were set up free of charge while strict punishment was taken against profiteering practices like illegal parking services, pre-placed seating arrangements, and the use of fake delegate credentials.
Authorities created priority seating areas with over 5,000 seats specifically reserved for veterans and elderly citizens along Hung Vuong and Tran Phu streets in Ba Dinh ward. The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Committee of Hanoi established 40 stalls providing free food and essential supplies for both citizens and parade participants.
The Vietnam News Agency opened a special check-in area outside its headquarters on Ly Thuong Kiet street, featuring a 3D model of President Ho Chi Minh reading the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The display also includes the trilingual version of the declaration that the state-owned agency broadcast worldwide on September 15 that year. It is open throughout the National Day holiday./.
