Official Government Events
Vietnam’s National Day celebrations on Sept. 2, 2025 culminated in a grand ceremony at Hanoi’s Ba Đình Square. The state-organized program began at 6:30 AM with a torch relay, flag-raising, and speeches by Party and State leaders. Party Secretary To Lam paid tribute to revolutionary heroes and reiterated Vietnam’s long-term goals (e.g. a “powerful, prosperous and happy” nation by 2045). The centerpiece was a massive military parade and march the largest in decades featuring all branches of the armed forces. According to state media, about 40,000 participants (soldiers, police, militia and civilians) marched in 87 formations. Foreign honor guards and contingents from China, Russia, Laos and Cambodia joined the parade, underscoring international solidarity. For the first time since 1985, a full naval component was included: Vietnam’s Navy paraded submarines and warships in Cam Rdanh Bay (a televised “naval parade”feature). A 30-plane flyover by Mi helicopters and Su-30MK2 jets trailed Vietnamese flags overhead. Vietnam’s top leaders and foreign dignitaries (including high-level guests from Russia, China, Belarus, Cuba, etc.) reviewed the parade at Ba Đình Square, the historic site of Ho Chi Minh’s 1945 independence proclamation.
In addition to the parade, other official events were staged around Hanoi. A special patriotic art performance (titled “80-Year Journey of Independence Freedom Happiness”) was held Sept. 1 at the Mỹ Đình National Stadium, and a large-scale photo-documentary exhibition (“National Day 80 Years of Independence”) opened at Hanoi’s Ho Chi Minh Museum. The government also rolled out commemorative campaigns. For example, on Aug. 28 it inaugurated an enormous “80-year achievements” exhibition at the new Vietnam Exposition Center in suburban Hanoi. This expo with over 230 booths from central ministries, 34 provinces and 110 major firms chronicles the nation’s political, economic and cultural milestones via artifacts, documents, multimedia and theme zones (e.g. “Economic Locomotives”, “Culture Lights the Way”). Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and other dignitaries attended the opening, which was billed as Vietnam’s largest-ever exhibition (covering 260,000 sqm and running through Sept. 5).
Public Celebrations and Cultural Activities
Beyond official ceremonies, public festivities were held nationwide. Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính directed that all 34 provinces and cities host cultural events, concerts and fireworks on Sept. 2. For example, Hanoi planned fireworks at five locations (Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Thống Nhất Park, Văn Quán Lake, Mỹ Đình Stadium and Tây Hồ) on the evening of Sept. 2. In Ho Chi Minh City, a simultaneous live concert took place on the pedestrian strip in Nguyễn Huệ Street (also transmitted to venues in Bình Dương and Vũng Tàu), culminating at 9 PM in a 15-minute high-altitude fireworks display at all three sites. During the four-day holiday, Dam Sen Cultural Park staged nightly fireworks with laser and water-music shows, parades and circus performances. Major attractions across HCM City waived or cut admission: Suối Tiên Park hosted fire-dance and folk games, zoos and museums held folk-craft exhibitions, and the History and Fine Arts museums offered free entry to residents and students. Similarly, other cities held local festivals: for instance, Hue City lit up the night sky with high-altitude fireworks on Sept. 2 (accompanying traditional arts exhibitions and sporting events).
Urban centers boosted infrastructure for visitors. Hanoi added 1,000 extra intercity buses and granted temporary road permits to relieve travel congestion. Within the city, public transit ran free of charge: all Hanoi bus lines and two metro routes offered free rides from Aug. 30 through Sept. 2. These measures aimed to ease traffic and help festival-goers (especially those visiting historic sites). Provincial governments and civic groups mobilized volunteers e.g. 8,800 university student volunteers nationwide to assist at events. Local authorities also planned complimentary services for crowds: in Hanoi the PM ordered provision of free drinking water, bread, shaded rest areas and sanitary facilities at public venues.
Media Coverage: Themes and Reflections
Domestic and international media uniformly highlighted patriotism, historical legacy and Vietnam’s progress. State-run outlets (VNA, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency) framed the occasion as a celebration of national unity and 80 years of achievement. A VietnamPlus feature explained that cultural programs (e.g. “Under the Glorious Flag” and “Hanoi From the Historic Autumn” concerts) were designed to “inspire public trust and pride” by showcasing political, economic and cultural milestones under Đổi Mới renewal. Reporting noted that the anniversary coincides with Vietnam’s unprecedented development, reinforcing the enduring value of the August Revolution. VNA articles described commemorative film screenings, art exhibitions and heritage projects (such as the unveiling of wartime relics and photo archives) aimed at educating youth and preserving the revolutionary spirit.
International press emphasized the scale of the parade and its symbolism. Reuters reported that Vietnam held its “largest military parade in decades,” showcasing advanced weaponry (Russian Mi-171 helicopters, Su-30 fighters, drones, tanks and missiles). The outlet noted thousands of troops (including foreign contingents) and a separate naval flypast, framing it as a strong display of nationalism. AP likewise described “tens of thousands” gathering for the Ba Đình ceremony, with 16,000 soldiers and honor guards (including a Chinese contingent) marching past amid tank and artillery formations. Both agencies highlighted Party Chief To Lam’s speeches invoking history and outlining Vietnam’s future vision (e.g. prosperity by 2045).
Coverage in Vietnam’s allied countries was similarly laudatory. Russian media (TASS, Kommersant, Vesti.Ru, etc.) ran extensive features on the parade. TASS noted it was the first such large-scale Ba Đình parade since 1985, and described the modern arsenals on display from T-90 tanks to domestically made missiles and drones. Kommersant emphasized the “tens of thousands” of red-clad spectators lining Hanoi’s streets. Russian outlets also highlighted that leaders from Russia, Belarus, China and Cuba attended, underscoring growing Vietnam–Russia ties. They too reported the voter bonus and amnesty measures. Media in France and Africa chimed in: the French magazine Entrevue called the Hanoi parade “imposing” and “the largest in decades,” noting that Vietnam’s people in red and waving flags signaled national strength. Latin American sources (e.g. Argentine Telefe TV) featured Vietnam’s culture and economy as a story of rising global engagement, and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro explicitly praised Vietnam’s “steadfast, united and unyielding” spirit on its National Day. Across these reports, common themes emerged: honor past sacrifices, celebrate national unity, and project confidence in Vietnam’s future path of development and sovereignty.
Special Initiatives and Commemorations
Beyond festivals, Hanoi and other localities launched special campaigns and heritage projects. In Hanoi, the Department of Culture curated new exhibitions and restored historic sites. Notably, the General Staff’s Secret Bunker under the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel (a wartime command center) was opened to the public for the first time. This involved restoring the 1960s-era underground tunnel and equipping it with modern displays, allowing visitors to view original communications equipment and war relics, thus “bringing military history to life” in homage to fallen fighters.
The government also used the holiday to emphasize social welfare and national pride. As ordered by Prime Minister Chính, security forces beefed up patrols and emergency services, and cities organized waste collection, sanitation and health teams at event sites. Citizens were urged to obey safety laws and keep venues clean. Commemorative symbols appeared in everyday life: streets across Hanoi and other cities were festooned with millions of red-and-yellow flags, and multimedia displays about independence were broadcast nationwide.
In tourism and culture, there were “80th anniversary” promotions. Travel authorities encouraged local festivals: for example, a book of special Ao Dài postal stamps was issued, and heritage tours were advertised. The Ho Guom (Sword Lake) Cultural Center in Hanoi hosted a photo exhibition and book launch (Aug. 15–Sept. 15) blending history and art for the anniversary. In Da Nang, an “Ethnicity–Faith and Heritage” exhibition opened on Aug. 15 to highlight minority cultures and human rights progress. Provinces like Hưng Yên created exhibitions showing their post-1945 development trajectories. Tourist destinations ran Independence Day-themed programs: e.g., in Ben Tre province, riverboat excursions were promoted with an “80 years” motif. Even overseas Vietnamese joined in cultural contests: on Aug. 31 and Sept. 2, Vietnamese communities in the Netherlands and London held traditional ao dai parades and wreath-laying ceremonies at sites linked to Ho Chi Minh, symbolizing diaspora solidarity.
In summary, Vietnam’s 80th National Day was marked by tightly choreographed official events, nationwide public festivities, and extensive media attention. Government sources and press emphasized the holiday as both a solemn remembrance of 1945 and a celebration of Vietnam’s socio-economic progress. Cultural performances, exhibitions, and volunteer initiatives were orchestrated to engage citizens. International coverage focused on the unprecedented scale of the parade and Vietnam’s growing global stature. All accounts domestic and foreign underscored unity under the Communist Party and pride in Vietnam’s “80-year journey of independence”
