Vietnam’s 80th National Day through the lens of Cambodian media

The September 2 parade, featuring some 40,000 soldiers and civilians, along with tanks, drones and missile batteries parading through major streets while helicopters and aircraft flew overhead, drew thousands of spectators to downtown Hanoi.

The Cambodian news site Fresh News runs an article on Vietnam marking National Day with a large-scale military parade (screenshot), featuring numerous photos and video clips of the event. (Photo: VNA)
The Cambodian news site Fresh News runs an article on Vietnam marking National Day with a large-scale military parade (screenshot), featuring numerous photos and video clips of the event. (Photo: VNA)

Phnom Penh (VNA) – Major Cambodian news outlets such as FRESH News, CNC and Thmeythmey, on September 2 simultaneously covered Vietnam’s 80th National Day, highlighting the grandeur of the military parade and the historic significance of the event in the neighbouring country.

In its report, FRESH News said Vietnam celebrated the 80th National Day with its largest military parade in decades, along with the decision to grant amnesty to nearly 14,000 prisoners.

Tens of thousands of people flocked to the streets of Hanoi, most dressed in red T-shirts emblazoned with yellow stars and waving Vietnam’s national flag as a symbol of patriotism. During the parade, Vietnam showcased advanced weaponry including tanks, missiles, helicopters and fighter jets. Alongside thousands of Vietnamese troops, contingents from China, Russia, Laos and Cambodia also took part.

Vietnamese leaders and international guests observed the parade at the historic Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the Declaration of Independence, founding the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, on September 2, 1945, after nearly a century under French colonial rule and a brief period of Japanese occupation during World War II.

Covering the same theme, the CNC television channel under Royal Group highlighted the presence of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and President of the Cambodian Senate, along with a high-level delegation attending the celebration. The outlet also cited Hun Sen’s message posted on his personal Facebook page on the morning of September 2, shortly after joining the ceremony.

The article underscored that the celebration was held to honour and pay tribute to the heroic soldiers who fought for the just cause, affirming that their patriotism and sacrifices for self-determination will always be remembered and respected.

Quoting the CPP leader, CNC noted that Vietnam’s National Day 80 years ago was not only significant for the Vietnamese people, but also a source of inspiration for Southeast Asian nations, including Cambodia, in their struggles for independence from colonialism.

According to Cambodian media, under the far-sighted leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam headed by General Secretary To Lam, the Vietnamese Government and people have set two important millennium goals – becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, on the occasion of the Party’s 100th anniversary; and a developed, high-income socialist country by 2045, marking the centenary of national independence, thereby enhancing Vietnam’s prestige and standing in the region and the world.

In a related piece, Thmeythmey reported that the parade, featuring some 40,000 soldiers and civilians, along with tanks, drones and missile batteries parading through major streets while helicopters and aircraft flew overhead, drew thousands of spectators to downtown Hanoi.

At the ceremony, General Secretary To Lam delivered an important speech to the people and international guests. He paid tribute to the nation’s predecessors and affirmed that Vietnam has overcome immense hardships and challenges to transform from a colony into an independent, unified country that is now advancing toward modernisation and development./.

VNA

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