Vietnam
Gun salute begins Vietnam’s grand National Day celebrations
On this sacred morning, the rolling thunder of artillery carried the spirit of 80 years of independence and national pride.
THE HANOI TIMES — At 6:40 AM on September 2, Hanoi awakened to solemn echoes as a 21-gun salute thundered from My Dinh National Stadium, heralding the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day.
In the soft autumn light, 15 polished cannons stood draped in the national flag, their barrels aligned in perfect formation.
As the first volley roared across the sky, tranquility gave way to waves of pride that rippled through the crowd.
Veterans, families, and people stood still, some with hands on their hearts, others raising cameras to capture history unfolding.
The salute rose beyond ritual as each shot became a heartbeat of unity, gratitude, applause and even tears.
