Vietnam Marks 80th National Day with Grand Military Parade

HANOI, Sept. 2, 2025 - Vietnam celebrated the 80th anniversary of its declaration of independence today with an elaborate military parade and flag-raising ceremony at Ba Đình Square in the capital.

In the early morning hours, more than 40,000 military personnel, massed formations of students and workers, and contingents from Russia, China, Cambodia, and Laos marched past the reviewing stand as party and state leaders looked on. The synchronized display of infantry, armor, and precision drill units underscored Vietnam’s decades-long emphasis on national unity and defense readiness.

President Nguyễn Phú Trọng delivered a keynote address invoking the spirit of the August Revolution of 1945, when President Hồ Chí Minh first proclaimed the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on this very square. “Eighty years ago, our forebears stood under this very flag to declare the end of colonial rule and the dawn of self-determination,” he said.

Following the parade, representatives of the Communist Party and foreign dignitaries placed wreaths at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Throughout the day, public gatherings and cultural performances were held at key urban squares, while nationwide fireworks displays are scheduled to light up major cities at 9 p.m. local time.

National Day remains one of Vietnam’s most important public holidays. Established following the August Revolution, it commemorates the surrender of Japan and the end of World War II in Southeast Asia, as well as the founding of modern Vietnam. This year’s Diamond Jubilee celebration has drawn foreign observers keen to witness the country’s rapid development since reunification.

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