Hanoi Holds Final Rehearsal for 80th Anniversary of August Revolution and National Day Parade

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: At 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, the final State-level full-dress rehearsal for the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2) was held at Ba Đình Square and along central streets of the capital.

The rehearsal mirrored the scale of the official event, featuring ceremonial activities, a grand military parade, marching contingents, and an aerial display by the Việtnam People’s Air Force. Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính attended the event to review the preparations.

Nearly 16,000 officers and soldiers participated, including 43 marching formations (26 from military units and 17 from police units), foreign military contingents, 18 static formations, and 14 mechanised columns showcasing modern military and police vehicles, artillery, and specialised equipment.

The rehearsal opened with squadrons of Mi-171, Mi-17, and Mi-8 helicopters flying the Party and national flags over Ba Đình Square. This was followed by formations of Casa C-295 and C212i transport aircraft, as well as Yak-130, L-39NG, and Su-30MK2 fighter jets. A live broadcast also featured the naval parade of the armed forces at Cam Ranh military base in Khánh Hòa Province.

For the first time in 40 years, since 1985, this year’s celebrations will include large-scale displays of heavy mechanised vehicles, artillery, missile systems, and domestically developed UAVs. The parade highlighted modernised weaponry of the Vietnam People’s Army and People’s Public Security, including tanks, rocket artillery, air defence systems, electronic warfare vehicles, and specialised security and rescue vehicles.

After the ceremonial segment, formations advanced past the grandstand in front of President Hồ Chí Minh’s Mausoleum. The parade included honour formations, military and police units, foreign contingents from China, Russia, Laos, and Cambodia, as well as civilian representatives of workers, farmers, youth, women, veterans, overseas Vietnamese, and ethnic communities.

The event reflected the combat readiness, discipline, and modernisation of Vietnam’s armed forces, while also symbolising national unity. Thousands of students and young performers added vibrancy through artistic displays, including a “Festival Drums” performance by over 1,000 cadets of the People’s Police Academy.

Following this rehearsal on August 30, the official celebration and parade will take place at 6:30 a.m. on September 2 at Ba Đình Square.