Highlights of Vietnam’s 80th National Day Parade Preparations

On August 20, over 30 Russian military personnel arrived at Noi Bai Airport to participate in the parade commemorating Vietnam’s 80th National Day (A80), at the invitation of the Ministry of National Defense.
Earlier, Cambodian and Laotian military delegations also arrived on August 15 and 16, respectively, and are currently training at the Mieu Mon National Training Center.

The 80th National Day ceremony will take place on September 2nd at 6:30 AM at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, where President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence in 1945.
The event will feature a traditional torch procession, ceremonial artillery fire, an air force flyover, and a grand military parade.
The parade will involve approximately 16,000 participants, including 43 marching blocks, 18 standing blocks, and 14 specialized military vehicles from the army and police.
Notably, for the first time in 40 years (since 1985), the parade will include armored vehicles, specifically tanks.
A naval parade will also be organized for the first time in Khanh Hoa province, with participation from the Navy, Coast Guard, Border Guard, and Military Region 5.

On the night of August 18, tanks, armored vehicles, and other military equipment began moving from National Military Training Center 4 to central Hanoi for the general rehearsal.
Convoys, including nearly 90 vehicles, transported modern military hardware such as tanks, armored vehicles, and missile systems, ensuring readiness for the general rehearsal on the night of August 21.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): Vietnamese-made UAVs by Viettel, including reconnaissance UAVs for high-precision target detection (day and night) and tactical combat UAVs capable of attacking ground targets like infantry and light tanks. Suicide UAVs produced by the General Department of Defense Industry were also mentioned.
Air Defense Systems: Including the Spider air defense missile system and the S-125 VT air defense missile system.
Naval Weapons: Featuring the Bass Spe, Truong Son, and Redut coastal missile systems (dubbed ‘aircraft carrier nemesis’). The K-300P Bastion-P mobile coastal defense missile system, a core weapon of the Vietnam Navy, can destroy warships and coastal targets up to 300 km away using P-800 Onyx missiles, praised for their difficulty to intercept, high accuracy, and unique group combat capabilities.
Armored Vehicles: The T-90 main battle tank, a prominent weapon of the Vietnam People’s Army, capable of firing various ammunition types and 9M119 Reflex anti-tank missiles through its barrel. T-54/T-55 tanks and MAZ military transport vehicles were also noted.

The parade will commence at 6:30 AM on September 2nd at Ba Dinh Square. After passing the grandstand, the parade blocks will disperse in seven directions through central streets.
Approximately 30,000 people (excluding parade participants) are expected to attend. The grandstand area is reserved for invited delegates, while the public can watch from the parade routes or via 270 LED screens installed throughout the city.
Recommended Transportation: Public transport (buses, metro lines like Cat Linh-Ha Dong and Nhon-Hanoi Station) is highly encouraged to avoid traffic and parking issues.
Road Closures: Hanoi Police have announced strict road closures and restrictions for rehearsals and the official ceremony, affecting numerous central streets.

For Ground Parade: Key viewing spots after the forces pass Ba Dinh Square include Nguyen Thai Hoc, Trang Thi, Hang Khay, Trang Tien, August Revolution Square, Kim Ma, Lieu Giai, Van Cao (near Quan Ngua Sports Palace), Le Duan (near Thong Nhat Park), and various routes for wheeled vehicles.
For Air Force Flyover: Roads around West Lake, such as Thanh Nien and Nguyen Dinh Thi, offer the best views of the 30-aircraft flyover.

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