“Golden girls” ready for the grand National celebration

After months of training in the field, combined rehearsals and final run-throughs at Ba Dinh Square, the “golden girls” are now fully prepared for the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2. The celebration will officially take place on the morning of September 2 before tens of thousands of delegates, international guests, and citizens nationwide.

The female contingent of International Peacekeeping Force of the Vietnam People’s Army marches proudly during the full-dress rehearsal at Ba Dinh Square on the morning of August 30. Photo: Cong Nghia

The forces participating in the grand ceremony, parade and march-past marking 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, including female contingents, have overcome every difficulty with the motto “Withstanding the heat, defying the rain,” frequently emphasized by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and the spirit “Heavy rain is light rain, light rain is no rain,” as underscored by Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang during his inspection trip to encourage the participating units.

After two preliminary and full rehearsals at Ba Dinh Square on August 28 and 30, on the morning of August 31, the parade and march contingents continued their final training session at the Hanoi National University campus, showing strong determination and readiness for the official parade on the morning of September 2.

Among the thousands of officers and soldiers taking part in the parade, many are female soldiers from Dong Nai. After successfully completing mission A50 with their participation in the military parade and march marking the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and National reunification, these women once again took on mission A80, in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day. For every soldier, this is a sacred duty, so family affairs and personal plans are set aside to prioritize serving the nation’s historic political event.

The female contingent of Saigon Commandos of Military Region 7 marches with strength and determination at Ba Dinh Square during the final rehearsal. Photo: Cong Nghia

Corporal Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy of the Political Department, Military Region 7, who joined the female Saigon Commandos contingent, shared: “Nearly nine months of training for mission A50 and then moving straight into mission A80 has been a truly meaningful period, full of experiences and emotions beyond words. There were scorching days in the South, followed by blazing heat and pouring rain in the North. But in return, what we received was the affection of the people for every soldier. We proudly call it ‘Walking in the heart of the people’.”

Corporal Bui Thi Phuong Ngoc of Dong Nai Military Command during the preliminary rehearsal of military parade and march on the evening of August 28. Photo: Cong Nghia

Meanwhile, Corporal Bui Thi Phuong Ngoc, often referred to as the “beauty queen” of the Dong Nai armed forces, continued to shine in the female Saigon Commandos contingent for mission A80 after completing mission A50. Since volunteering for military service at the end of 2023, Bui Thi Phuong Ngoc has drawn attention for her 1.7m height, fair skin, balanced physique, and youthful, gentle voice.

During the combined rehearsals, preliminary and full-dress rehearsals at Ba Dinh Square, Corporal Bui Thi Phuong Ngoc once again caught the attention of media cameras and citizens lining the streets. Ahead of the official parade, Corporal Bui Thi Phuong Ngoc shared: “I am fully prepared for the historic morning of September 2, which will also be the day I proudly take the ‘historic steps’ of my own life.”
 

Female Signal Officers contingent carry electronic radio sets weighing more than 7kg on their shoulders with determined expressions. Photo: Cong Nghia

Private First Class Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao of Engineer Brigade 414 said that after graduating in medical laboratory science from Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy at the end of 2024, she immediately volunteered for military service. Unexpectedly, she was selected to join the female International Peacekeeping Force contingent for the parade marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day.

After months of training under the blazing Northern sun, Private First Class Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao said: “I have truly become stronger, more resilient, and more confident. I am ready and determined to march alongside my comrades at Ba Dinh Square on the morning of September 2 in the most unified, beautiful, and majestic formation.”

The female Special Police contingent, including many soldiers from Dong Nai, participates in the parade formation. Photo: Cong Nghia

Major Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang from the female Signal Corps contingent shared: At the end of 2024, she began preparing for mission A50, followed immediately by mission A80. For months, she and her comrades carried 7kg radio sets and leaf-shaped antennas on their shoulders, walking several kilometers every day.

After completing mission A50 at the end of April in Ho Chi Minh City, she had just 10 days to see her 4-year-old son before departing again for mission A80. On the morning of April 30, during the full-dress rehearsal of military parade and march, she spotted her son running to the roadside to call for her, but she suppressed her emotions to remain in formation and complete her duty.

Female soldiers of Military Medical contingent in new uniforms during the full-dress rehearsal of military parade and march for the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day at Ba Dinh Square. Photo: Cong Nghia

The female Traffic Police contingent showcase youthful confidence and strength. Photo: Cong Nghia

Female Militia contingent represent Vietnam’s ethnic groups with graceful steps during the full-dress rehearsal on the morning of August 30. Photo: Cong Nghia

By: Cong Nghia

Translated by: M.Nguyet-Thu Ha