Building trust in the nation’s prosperous future

Although the official ceremony took place on the morning of September 2 at Ba Dinh Square, from the early morning of August 31, many residents had already gathered along Tran Phu, Hung Vuong, Trang Tien, Thanh Nien and other streets to watch the parade and march contingents as well as military equipment participating in the event. On the afternoon of September 1, despite heavy rain and thunderstorms in Hanoi, people were determined not to leave their chosen spots.

Party General Secretary To Lam delivers a speech at the ceremony. Photo: Duy Linh

On the streets of Hanoi during the night of September 1 and the early morning of September 2, people stayed awake, eagerly awaiting the moment of the commemoration, parade, and march, to stand together and sing the National Anthem with pride. Despite long hours of waiting, everyone was in high spirits. Patriotism brought people closer together, sharing viewing spots so that all could see the parade. Particularly, throughout the night of September 1 and the early morning of September 2, patriotic songs and endless applause echoed along the streets where people waited for the parade.

Pham Ngoc Thuan, a Hanoi resident living on Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem ward, said: “Hanoi has hosted many major national events, but I have never seen one as large and crowded as this. On the days of preliminary and full-dress rehearsals and official ceremony, my family closed our shop, temporarily suspended our business and gave up the sidewalk so people could sit and watch the event. When children or the elderly waited outside at night or in the rain, I invited them into the house to protect their health. We also put out jars of iced tea for those who needed a drink.”

The celebration, parade and march marking 80th anniversary of August Revolution and National Day. Photo: Cong Nghia

Tran Ngoc Thoai, who directly participated in the parade at Ba Dinh Square in 1985, was deeply moved and proud to witness another large-scale parade 40 years later. He shared: “The generation of cadres, soldiers and police today are tall, strong, and radiant with happiness. Especially, the types of weapons and equipment featured in the parade were so diverse and modern. Forty years ago, I could not imagine that we would be able to own such advanced weapons, yet now many are produced domestically. Nothing could be more pride-worthy.”

Modern missile launchers researched and manufactured domestically featured in the parade at the anniversary ceremony. Photo: Cong Nghia

Truong Van Luc, an 80-year-old citizen from Hai Phong city who lived through two resistance wars, arrived to Hanoi to witness the anniversary ceremony, parade and march. He said: “Our country has been liberated, peaceful, and reunified for 50 years, but never before have I seen Vietnam develop and modernize at such a pace as it does today. Looking at the atmosphere of the ceremony and parade at Ba Dinh Square, I felt immense pride, especially knowing that our army and police have been strongly supported by the Party and the State.”

Dang Thi Ngoc Ha, a student at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, proudly said: “The 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day has further strengthened my faith in the nation’s future. From the 80-year national achievements exhibition at the National Exhibition Center, to the anniversary ceremony, and especially the speech of Party General Secretary To Tam, I believe our country will enter a prosperous era within the next 20 years.”

Female special police contingent during the full-dress rehearsal. Photo: Cong Nghia

At historic Ba Dinh Square, 80 years after President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the marching footsteps of military parade contingents resonated with the nation’s momentum in a new era, creating an immense source of strength. The event came to a close with the consolidation of national solidarity and unity in this new historic stage of development. The parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day was a powerful message of a developing Vietnam striving to become a strong nation.

Do Van Tan, veteran from Ha Noi city said: “With high hopes for the nation’s prosperous future, today I am very proud to have witnessed the military parade and march with its magnificent marching steps. I was especially impressed by the speech of Party General Secretary To Lam, particularly the passage with his predictive, yet firmly grounded vision that is: ‘Looking towards the future, our Party sets the goal that by 2045, on the 100th founding anniversary of the nation, Vietnam will become a powerful, prosperous and happy nation. That is the aspiration of the entire nation, an oath of honour before history, before the people.”

By: Cong Nghia

Transalted by: M.Nguyet-Thu Ha