A nation united in emotion on its historic day

Thousands of delegates gathered at Ba Dinh Square this morning [September 2] to attend the celebration, military parade, and march marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and the National Day.

Excitement, anticipation, pride and deep emotion filled the hearts of the delegates as they immersed themselves in this historic and momentous occasion for the nation.

At dawn, as the morning mist lingered in the air, veteran Pham Van Binh, 70, from Ha Long Ward, Quang Ninh Province and his comrades were already seated in the stands at Ba Dinh Square, awaiting the historic moment of the celebration.

A former soldier who fought in the Mekong Delta battlefield in 1972, Binh said he was deeply honored to participate as a delegate at the A80 celebration, parade, and march.

“From the moment I arrived, people along the streets greeted me warmly. To live through wars and sacrifices and now witness this great national celebration is an immense source of pride and emotion for me," said Binh.

I hope that all people, especially the younger generations watching the ceremony, will always remember that our peace and development today came at a great cost paid by those who came before us,” Binh added.

For Le Thi Phuong Anh, an officer at the Office of the An Giang Provincial Party Committee in the Mekong Delta region, this trip to Hanoi for the A80 celebration was an unforgettable memory. She recalled how excited she felt the moment she received the invitation to attend.

“Arriving at Ba Dinh Square, I was moved by the spirited atmosphere in preparation for the ceremony. Being here in person makes me appreciate the value of peace even more. I am profoundly grateful for the sacrifices of heroes and earlier generations who gave their lives so we could live in freedom and independence today,” said Phuong Anh.

Pham Thi Hien, 60, from Tan Binh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, said that being invited as a delegate to the parade was a tremendous honor.

“I have been in Hanoi for three days and have prepared for this trip for nearly a month. My friends back in Ho Chi Minh City encouraged me and asked me to capture beautiful moments from the A80 celebration to share with them. Right now, I feel both excited and eager as I wait for the parade to begin,” said Hien.

It was also a special experience for Trieu Thi Pham, 44, an ethnic Dao woman from Yen Bai, a northern mountainous province of Vietnam, who returned to Hanoi for the first time in 15 years.

Despite waiting outside for 17 hours, Pham said she did not feel tired. She planned to spend two more days visiting Hanoi before returning to Lao Cai.

“I traveled with a friend from my village by bus on August 31 so that I could join the joy of National Day on September 2. I am very proud of how prosperous our country has become. Although the journey was long and tiring, I feel happy and honored to be present at the A80 parade,” she said.

Dressed in a red "Ao dai” and holding the national flag, Tran Thi Ham, 74, from Ha Dong Ward, Hanoi, could not hide her excitement at being part of the celebration.

“I was so excited I could hardly sleep the night before, eagerly waiting for this grand day. Standing in Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence and founded the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, I am deeply moved," said Ham.

My generation has witnessed many chapters of the nation’s history, war, peace and prosperity. I am grateful to those who sacrificed in the past and to today’s leadership. I only wish for our Vietnam to grow stronger and more sustainable."

Vu Thu Yen, an officer at Hanoi Service Development Company, also shared her thoughts: “Being here today for the 80th anniversary celebration fills me with pride and gratitude for the sacrifices of earlier generations. With the achievements of our nation and the capital, I feel I must work harder and contribute more to our country’s development.”

Bui Thu Trang, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Phuong Liet Ward, Hanoi, also expressed her feelings as attending this celebration and parade at historic Ba Dinh Square, marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day

She said it is an immense honor for me, as a delegate representing the political system and the people of Phuong Liet Ward. Together with delegates from 126 newly established communes and wards of Hanoi, she feel proud to live in a peaceful, independent and developing nation.

"Every strong step of the parade, every national flag flying proudly in the autumn sky of Hanoi, stirred my heart and reminded me of the immense sacrifices that secured our independence," said Trang.

Joining the nationwide spirit of celebration, Phuong Liet Ward organized practical activities to mark the occasion: decorating with banners, hanging national flags along main streets such as Truong Chinh, Le Trong Tan, Nguyen Ngoc Nai, and Tran Dien, and encouraging each household to display the national flag.

The ward also held gatherings to honor the nation’s proud history, visited and presented gifts to policy families and revolutionaries, and launched campaigns for a clean, green, and beautiful urban environment. Social and political organizations, youth unions, women’s groups, and veterans together carried out meaningful community projects.

The 80th anniversary celebration, parade, and march not only honored history but also provided a moment for every citizen to show their patriotism through concrete actions, contributing to the growth of their communities, the capital, and the nation as a whole.