Vietnam Holds Grand National Ceremony and Military Parade to Mark 80th Anniversary of August Revolution and National Day
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: A grand national ceremony and military parade was held on Tuesday morning at Ba Đình Square, Hanoi, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2).
The event, a national-level commemoration, gathered around 40,000 participants and featured 87 parade formations, including colour guards, civilian contingents, army units, militia, guerrilla forces, police contingents, and specialized military vehicles. The Việt Nam People’s Air Force conducted an aerial display with 30 aircraft, including Mi helicopters, Su-30MK2 fighter jets, Yak-130 trainers, L-29NG aircraft, and Casa transport planes.
For the first time, a simultaneous parade at sea was staged, featuring naval forces, the Coast Guard, Border Guards, Fisheries Surveillance, and Naval Air Force units. The live broadcast allowed audiences nationwide to witness the historic occasion alongside the celebrations at Ba Đình Square.
The ceremony was attended by Party General Secretary Tô Lâm; State President Lương Cường; Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính; National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn; senior Politburo members, former Party and State leaders, and other distinguished officials. Also present were representatives of ministries, sectors, organizations, revolutionary veterans, war heroes, outstanding citizens, and overseas Vietnamese communities.
International dignitaries included Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith; Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen; Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel; Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress; Belarusian Speaker Igor Sergeenko; and Vladimir Yakushev, First Vice Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly. Leaders and representatives of political parties, international organizations, diplomatic missions, and defence delegations also attended.
The ceremony opened with a cultural performance featuring drums, flags, folk dances, and traditional lion-dragon displays, creating a festive atmosphere of unity and pride. A torch procession from the Hồ Chí Minh Museum lit the revolutionary flame at Ba Đình Square, symbolizing the indomitable spirit and aspirations of the Vietnamese people.
A solemn flag-raising ceremony followed, accompanied by the national anthem sung in unison across the country, with 21 cannon salutes fired from Mỹ Đình National Stadium.
In his keynote address, Party General Secretary Tô Lâm emphasized the historic role of late President Hồ Chí Minh, noting that “all victories of the Vietnamese revolution are closely associated with the right and clear-sighted leadership by the Party and the thought, moral example and style of Hồ Chí Minh.”
Reflecting on eight decades of struggle and achievements, the General Secretary affirmed that under the leadership of the Communist Party and guided by Hồ Chí Minh’s vision, the Vietnamese nation has overcome immense challenges to secure independence, unity, and progress. He stressed Vietnam’s unwavering commitment to defending sovereignty and territorial integrity while fostering peace, friendship, and cooperation with countries worldwide, based on respect for international law and the United Nations Charter.
