 On the morning of September 2, Vietnam solemnly held a ceremony, parade, and march to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025) and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025). (Photo: Quang Trung/VOV) |
Attending the event at the historic Ba Dinh Square were General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, along with veteran revolutionaries, Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, Heroes of the People’s Armed Forces, Labor Heroes, generals, war veterans, representatives of political and social organizations, and tens of thousands of Vietnamese citizens.
 Leaders, former leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State, international guests and delegates perform the flag-raising ceremony. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA) |
International guests included Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith; President of the Cambodian Senate and President of the Cambodian People's Party Samdech Techo Hun Sen; First Secretary of the Communist Party and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and his spouse; Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China Zhao Leji; Chairman of the House of Representatives of Belarus Igor Sergeenko; First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia Vladimir Vladimirovich Yakushev; along with leaders of foreign political parties, embassy representatives, and international organizations in Vietnam.
The ceremony began with the traditional torch relay with the participation of 80 athletes symbolizing 80 years of independence. The torch was passed to Lieutenant General Nguyen Duc Soat, former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and a heroic fighter pilot, who lit the ceremonial flame. This was followed by the solemn flag-raising ceremony.
At that very moment, from My Dinh National Stadium, a 21-gun salute echoed across the capital to the sound of the Vietnamese national anthem.
 General Secretary To Lam delivers the speech to mark the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025) and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025). (Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac) |
In his address marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, Party General Secretary To Lam recalled the historic moment at Ba Dinh Square 80 years ago, when President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, ushering in a new era of independence and freedom for the nation.
The General Secretary emphasized that the success of the August Revolution and the establishment of an independent Vietnam embodied the will, dignity, and eternal aspiration for freedom of the Vietnamese people, nurtured by thousands of years of national construction and defense.
 Helicopter flies over Ba Dinh Square on the morning of September 2. (Photo: VTC News) |
He said: “The Vietnamese Fatherland is the crystallization of millennia of civilization, resilience, intellect, compassion, and aspiration to rise. That spirit forged the great strength of the August Revolution, of our long resistance struggles against colonialists and imperialists, of the cause of national construction and defense, of our renewal, international integration, and national development. It is the strength that comes from the people, belongs to the people, and serves the people, it's the strength of great national unity.”
General Secretary To Lam stressed that the 80th National Day is an occasion to pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh, to generations of revolutionary predecessors, and to the entire nation. The Party leader said Vietnam's glorious journey over the past 80 years affirms that nothing can halt Vietnam from moving toward prosperity and vitality.
“Through 80 years of hardship and glory, we have affirmed the truth that under the Party’s glorious flag, guided by President Ho Chi Minh's light, relying on the strength of the people and great national unity. There are no difficulties or challenges that our people cannot overcome; and there are no noble goals that our people cannot achieve. Therefore, there are no obstacles or reasons that can stop us from reaching peace, prosperity, and an everlasting nation of development.”
The General Secretary affirmed that, looking toward the future, the Communist Party of Vietnam has set the goal that by 2045, marking the 100th anniversary of the nation’s founding, Vietnam will become a strong, prosperous, and happy country. That is the aspiration of the entire nation, an oath of honour before History and the People, he said.
He called on the entire Party, the people, the armed forces, and compatriots both at home and abroad to unite and join hands to turn this aspiration into reality.
“We are determined and steadfast in defending our independence, freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and every sacred piece of our homeland with the combined strength of the entire nation in politics, economy, culture, science, technology, military, diplomacy, and, above all, the strength of the people’s will," said the Party leader.
"We seek to be a friend and a reliable partner to all countries around the world. We respect international law and the United Nations Charter, and peaceful settlement of disagreements and disputes. We will never compromise with any scheme or action that infringes upon our independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and we will resolutely safeguard the interests of the nation and the people,” affirmed the Vietnamese leader.
Following the Party leader’s speech, the military parade and marches commenced, beginning with the formations of the Vietnam People’s Air Force flying past while simultaneously large screens displayed the naval parade of the Vietnam People’s Navy from Cam Ranh Military Base in Khanh Hoa province.
It is followed by the parades of the formation of ceremonial guards of honor, 22 marching formations of the Vietnam People’s Army, four foreign military contingents, three formations of militia and guerrilla forces, and 17 formations of the People’s Public Security.
Following the parades are the motorized contingents of armored vehicles, artillery units, and police forces, before giving way to the mass procession of civilian groups.
The program concluded with an art performance featuring 80 leading artists from across the country, symbolizing the spirit of unity and cultural richness of the Vietnamese people.
After passing the grandstand at Ba Dinh Square, the parade and marches spread out through central streets of the capital, bringing the festive and historic spirit of the day to all of Hanoi.