Residents of Hang Chao Street in Hanoi’s O Cho Dua Ward scrambled to finish decorating the street with national flags on August 19.
The 300-meter street has been decked out in 12,000 small flags, and three giant national flags at the center and both ends.
Chu Huu Thang, 71, says the decoration work began at 6 a.m. on Aug. 17 and has continued without interruption.
He says the community has offered strong support, with families donating money, providing ladders and tools and joining in the effort.
"Almost everyone in the neighborhood lent a hand, no matter their age."
The biggest challenge was funding, Thang says. Each family was asked to contribute VND100,000 (US$4) at first for a total of VND25 million, but the cost ended up exceeding VND30 million ($1,100).
"When we first discussed the purchase one 10-meter string to hang the flags cost VND29,000 ($1.15), but by the time we placed the order the price had risen to VND34,000 ($1.35)."
Thang says celebrations for major holidays such as Reunification Day on April 30, National Day on Sept. 2, Capital Liberation Day on Oct. 10, and year-end gatherings in the neighborhood often see huge turnouts.
"This year, after our ward merged with another, the community became even more united, all joined in and everyone contributed what they could.”
Kim Oanh, 62, says she helped raise money for the decoration, with contributions ranged from VND100,000 ($4) to a few million per household. "When I first proposed the idea, I was both excited and worried that people would not join in. I was happy that they did.”
Nguyen Duong Hung, 60, says the neighborhood spent the past week surveying, designing and putting up the decorations. The remaining work is expected to finish within the next two days. "The biggest challenge is the heavy traffic, especially trucks."
"We were both anxious and hopeful. The biggest worry was falling short of expectations, but we can all be very proud when this is done," Thang says.
Nguyen Thuy Linh, 73, says she was moved to see the street covered in national flags.
"The decorations were completed right on Aug. 19, the anniversary of the People’s Public Security (Vietnam's national police force). This is even more meaningful for our family because we have relatives serving in the force."
Her family plans to join the crowds in viewing the National Day pageant at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi.
On Sept. 2 Vietnam will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day with a pageant at Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh declared independence in 1945.
The event will feature the infantry, mechanized, naval, and air forces.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, more than 15,600 military personnel will join the parade, including 43 marching units and 18 standing units.
Military delegations from Russia, China, Laos, Cambodia, and Belarus have been invited.
