Military units, artillery vehicles begin National Day parade rehearsal

The rehearsal began at 8 p.m. at Ba Dinh Square with a flag-raising ceremony and the national anthem, followed by 21 cannon shots fired from My Dinh Stadium in tribute to the nation’s founding.

The event was attended by Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff General Nguyen Tan Cuong, and senior leaders from the Ministries of National Defense and Public Security, along with Party committees.

The parade featured 43 marching units, 18 standing units, and convoys of tanks, artillery, missile systems, and police special vehicles. Upgraded T-54B and T-55 tanks, historically significant in Vietnam’s past campaigns, led armored formations, while T-90S tanks and artillery pieces such as the Soviet-made M-46 field gun and 2S3 Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers rolled along Hung Vuong Street.

Military and police forces march on Hung Vuong Street in Hanoi at the beginning of the second rehearsal for Vietnam's 80 National Day parade, Aug. 24, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

Missile units, including launchers of the Redut-M, Bastion-P, and the Truong Son complex, also took part. Command vehicles and specialized police units followed, underscoring Vietnam’s modernization drive in defense and security.

Marching units reflected both Vietnam’s military heritage and its international ties. The Red Flag Unit, female commando soldiers, logistics officers, and UN peacekeeping contingents showcased the diversity of Vietnam’s armed forces. Foreign delegations from Russia, Cambodia, and Laos also joined, symbolizing regional solidarity.

Female military doctors, peacekeepers, and cadets from the People’s Police Academy highlighted the role of women in Vietnam’s armed forces, while a traditional drum ensemble accompanied their march.

Streets lined with spectators

Crowds packed streets near Ba Dinh Square, Lieu Giai, and Trang Tien to watch the procession. Many stood for hours in the summer heat, singing the national anthem as the formations advanced. Families with young children waved flags and cheered as soldiers passed by, with some servicemen posing for selfies with spectators.

The rehearsal, lasting about two hours, tested coordination between marching units, artillery, and civilian formations in preparation for the official parade on Sept. 2. That day’s celebrations will mark 80 years since President Ho Chi Minh declared independence at Ba Dinh Square before half a million compatriots, founding the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.