80th National Day: British newspaper impressed with majestic parade

The Independent newspaper described the country's biggest parade in decades, with thousands of people pouring into the streets of the capital Hanoi to witness the grand celebration of 80 years of independence.

According to a VNA reporter in London, on September 2, The Independent (UK) solemnly reported on the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025), describing the country's largest military parade in decades, with thousands of people pouring into the streets of the capital Hanoi after camping overnight to witness the grand celebration of the 80th anniversary of independence.

The parade took place at historic Ba Dinh Square, where revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh declared independence from French colonial rule on September 2, 1945.

The article's content includes a paragraph: General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam paid tribute to those who sacrificed in the war for independence and reaffirmed the Party's goal that by 2045, Vietnam will become a powerful, prosperous and happy country, calling it the aspiration of the entire nation, an oath of honor before history.

The article detailed the celebration with a parade of troops, tanks, armored vehicles, missile systems, and an aerial display of helicopters with giant Vietnamese flags and jets.

Citing domestic sources, The Independent said nearly 16,000 soldiers participated in the event. Many of the tanks, heavy artillery, amphibious vehicles and missile systems in the parade were products manufactured by a Vietnamese state-owned company.

For the first time, Vietnam also held a televised naval parade off the port city of Cam Ranh with the participation of warships, submarines, helicopters and seaplanes.

Honor guards from China, Russia, Laos and Cambodia also participated in the parade, reflecting the country's international friendship.

The Independent (UK) published photos of Vietnam preparing for the 80th anniversary of National Day with streets lined with flags and flowers and veterans and people happily preparing to celebrate Independence Day. (Photo: Minh Hop/VNA)

The article also described the jubilant atmosphere in Hanoi when people poured into the city, wearing red shirts with yellow stars, painting the national flag on their faces, waving national flags, cheering and encouraging the parades.

Large screens at intersections broadcast the parade while flags were hung from balconies across the city.

“This is something to be proud of,” said Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen, 22, who stayed up all night in Ba Dinh Square. “Our grandparents fought for this. Life is better now.”

The Independent also highlighted Vietnam’s transformation as one of the most remarkable in Asia. Since opening up its economy in the late 1980s, the country has become a hub for electronics, textiles and footwear manufacturing, supplying global brands such as Samsung and Nike.

Poverty rates are falling and the middle class is growing rapidly.
The newspaper also pointed out the country's challenges in the new situation when it has to balance rapid growth with reform, an aging population, climate change risks and pressure from US tariff policies./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/80-nam-quoc-khanh-bao-anh-an-tuong-voi-le-dieu-binh-hung-trang-post1059690.vnp