Paris (VNA) – French media outlets have extensively covered Vietnam’s National Day celebration on September 2, as well as the country’s achievements over the past eight decades.
Le Figaro highlighted a clip of the spectacular parade at Ba Dinh Square, where revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence to establish the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945, describing the celebration of 80 years of independence as the largest in Vietnam’s history and praising the nation’s resilience in the face of challenges.
Other leading French publications, including La Provence and L’Union, reported that the procession featured some 40,000 participants, along with tanks, drones, radar systems, missiles, artillery, helicopters, and fighter jets, commencing at dawn.
The coverage noted that, for Vietnam, which continues to expand partnerships, even with former adversaries, the anniversary provided an opportunity to celebrate its distinct development path, marked by over 7% economic growth in 2024, one of the fastest rates in the region.
Meanwhile, Entrevue.fr described the parade as “imposing” and “the largest in decades”. Tens of thousands of people dressing in red and waving national flags lined Hanoi’s streets, highlighting that the event was not only a commemoration of history but also a demonstration of national strength and self-reliance.
The parade featured Vietnam’s most advanced military equipment, including Mi-171 helicopters, Sukhoï Su-30 fighter jets, domestically produced drones, and naval vessels such as Kilo-class submarines and frigates. Thousands of Vietnamese troops marched alongside military units from China, Russia, and other nations, highlighting the international dimension of the event, according to the website.
It also reported on parallel initiatives by the Vietnamese Government, including a nationwide cash gift of 100,000 VND (about 3.8 USD) per citizen to mark the occasion, and an amnesty for nearly 14,000 prisoners.
On the same day, Algeria’s APS news agency described the parade as unprecedented, noting that tens of thousands of spectators camped overnight in the rain to witness the event, reflecting immense national pride. APS also reported that several countries, including China, Russia, Laos, and Cambodia, were invited to take part in the celebration./.
