The “secret” behind viral photos on social media

The most viral photographs in Vietnam’s photography community and on social media in early September 2025 have one thing in common: they vividly capture the sense of patriotism, national pride, the strong bond between the people and the military, and Vietnam’s steadfast belief in marching into an era of Vietnam’s resilient rise.

A SU-30MK2 fighter jet releases decoy flares over Hanoi sky on September 2. Photo: Vu Minh Quan

The lyrics “And if I were born again, I would still wish to be Vietnamese forever” from the song Forever Vietnamese (singer Trang Phap) seem to encapsulate the series of images taken in Hanoi during the early autumn days of September 2025. These moments are both historical and rekindle national pride, spreading a message of hope for a radiant future of the homeland and the nation.

What is more beautiful than flags?

A photo series by photographer Truong Thanh Tung capturing Tran Thi Nhung from Nghe An province, mother of soldier Tran Dinh Duc, waiting to meet her son at the end of the military parade on Ngoc Ha Street, Hanoi, on September 2. The series went viral with nearly 100,000 likes online

 “Experiencing the autumn rains and staying up through the nights with the people to watch the parade, I truly felt how beautiful our country is, how happy and patriotic our people are,” shared photographer Nam Anh, who won a Silver Award at the 2025 Young Photography Festival and a C Prize at the 2024 National Press Awards after spending “17 days living through historic moments of the nation”, that had just come to a close in early September, leaving behind a large number of beautiful images.

As the photographer behind the Photo Project “A80 – The nation in our hearts”, Vu Minh Quan told Dong Nai Weekend: “Every photographer strives to capture images that express heartfelt love for the homeland and share them with the community.” Photos of the national red flags with yellow stars fluttering on bustling streets, soaring proudly atop powerful armoured vehicles, together with the joyful smiles of crowds of people in red shirts, flooded social media in late August and early September 2025.

The joy of citizens during the A80 National Day Celebration

Photographer Nguyen Van Phuoc, known by the pseudonym as Kim Banh Troi Nuoc, shared that he woke up at 4 a.m. on September 2 to create his commemorative photo series titled: “Dawn of Independence Day” in Hanoi. “Dressing quickly, slinging my camera over my shoulder, I rode around the streets, slipped into alleys, then weaved through familiar corners, flower stalls, and endless rows of vibrant national flags lining every path. Through my lens, I wanted to portray a peaceful capital city wrapped in early morning mist, filled with the aroma of freshly grilled cinnamon pork rolls, bustling flower and fruit markets, women gently arranging national flags, sanitation workers keeping the streets clean, and soldiers carrying their children – to preserve memories that will last forever.”

Proud of the Vietnam People's Air Force

Lieu sells roses on Hang Bac Street, Hanoi, on September 2

Photographer Nguyen Tien Anh Tuan, winner of the Special Prize at the Golden Moment photo contest 2022 organised by the Vietnam News Agency, explained: over the past month, he and many colleagues accompanied the pilots of the Vietnam People's Air Force (the Air Defence – Air Force, Ministry of National Defence) during the A80 mission, aiming to capture “unique images that will never be repeated, as in 5 or 10 years, even A100 will see many changes.”

In a carefully selected series of nearly 30 photos shared by photographer Nguyen Tien Anh Tuan on September 3, the community was amazed by images of squadrons ranging from helicopters to SU-30MK2 fighter jets soaring magnificently. Several photos employed the panning technique to capture planes taking off from the airport, creating a visually “absolutely cinematic” impression.

Meanwhile, photographer Vu Minh Quan, like most of his peers in Hanoi, did not miss the chance to “hunt for” the images of SU-30MK2 fighter jets releasing decoy flares over the capital sky on the morning of September 2.

He recalled: “On that cloudy day, I spared no effort to capture each precious angle as a way of expressing gratitude to the Air Force officers who brought joy to the people. As an emotional A80 season came to a close – something we photographers like me rarely get to experience. See you again at A100!”

A photo of singer My Tam, placing her hand over her chest while wearing a simple ao dai and radiantly performing Our Vietnam Forever Strong at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi, went viral on social media with more than half a million likes on her Facebook page.

By: Trung Nghia

Translated by: Quynh Nhu - Thu Ha