Hanoi youth shine as volunteers for the 80th National Day
The volunteers’ work would silently shape the celebration’s success in just a few days, when the parades marched, flags fluttered in the September sky and the national anthem soared over Ba Dinh Square.
THE HANOI TIMES — On a bright August morning, waves of 8,800 young people in their blue volunteer shirts filled the stands of the Hang Day Stadium.
Together, they joined to prepare for the historic 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2).
8.800 volunteers carry Vietnam's national flag when joining the 80th National Day's celebrations. Photo: hanoi.gov.vn
In a sea of youth, each individual stood tall with pride and ready to contribute both big and small with an aim to make the celebrations smooth, memorable, and worthy of the capital.
Contributing to the national mission by youth energy
Among thousands of young volunteers making efforts to the celebrations, Vu Kieu Anh, a student at the Hanoi Metropolitan University, was proud and excited to join with others in preparing for the grand event, which will take place on September 2 in the heart of Hanoi - Ba Dinh Square.
She said that the ceremony would be overwhelming and her voluntary work would be meaningful to some extend.
Vu Kieu Anh, second-year student at the Hanoi Metropolitan University.
“I'm thrilled to be part of this, as it is an honor and a way for me to connect with history. Being here with so many other young people makes me feel part of something much greater than voluntary work,” she told The Hanoi Times.
Kieu Anh and 8,800 other young volunteers will serve the 80th anniversary. The grand ceremony will feature a parade that is joined by 16,000 military, police and social personel.
For many like her, the chance to volunteer is a proud duty. Other than that, Kieu Anh sees the celebration as a personal milestone and a memory to hold for years.
Sharing the same feeling, Trinh Trang Anh, a second-year student from the Hanoi-based Trade Union University, carefully pinned her volunteer badge.
She was well aware of what it symbolizes, especially on this occasion – the 80 years since the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (today the Socialist Republic of Vietnam).
“It’s a chance to show the vitality of our generation as we are carrying forward the spirit of service and patriotism,” Trang Anh told The Hanoi Times.
The stories of Kieu Anh and Trang Anh are echoes of thousands of others, each voice forming part of a larger chorus.
Behind every blue shirt is a personal reason, that includes pride, duty, gratitude and aspiration, all converging into a collective spirit.
Trinh Trang Anh, second-year student from the Trade Union University.
Voluntary spirit of Hanoi’s youth
The gathering of 8,800 volunteers was a carefully organized effort, which gathered students from more than 40 universities, colleges and youth organizations across the capital.
They went through training sessions, and were assigned to cover every aspect of the upcoming celebrations.
Their responsibilities include guiding crowds, supporting logistics, assisting delegations to the designated areas, and ensuring cleanliness and safety around ceremonial sites.
The large participation reflects Hanoi’s tradition of volunteerism, a spirit that has been passed down through many generations.
Just as young patriots once stood at the frontlines of history, today’s youths continue to rise whenever the nation calls through service and civic dedication.
For the volunteers, training sessions were moments of bonding, where strangers turned into teammates and friends.
They promoted a sense of unity among the students when standing shoulder to shoulder during crowd management rehearsals, practicing first-aid drills, and learning evacuation procedures.
“The feeling of being part of this massive effort is unforgettable. It makes me believe that no matter what challenges lie ahead, our generation has the strength and the willingness to face them,” Trang Anh said.
The stadium buzzed with energy as volunteers were tasked with guiding crowds, managing logistics, and above all, embodying community spirit and dedication.
For Kieu Anh, this opportunity is a bridge between past and present.
“It’s obvious that 80 years ago, our predecessors used collective strengths for independence. Today, we unite to honor that history and maintain the same spirit for the nation.”
Trang Anh, meanwhile, feels the vibe on her own way. She said that youth can contribute to the national movements not in classrooms or workplaces, but in civic life.
“Participating in the community activities proves that patriotism is about actions that reinforce the national unity,” she said.
As Hanoi prepares for the grandeur of its 80th National Day celebrations, volunteers’ youthful energy, discipline and devotion are expected to make the anniversary worth-remembering for its ceremonies and the spirit of unity.
The 8,800 volunteers represent Hanoi’s youth who are energetic, responsible and aware of the legacy they inherit.
The students' participation in the grand ceremony shows that patriotism is not confined to history books and commemorative speeches but in every smile of a volunteer and in every small act of service done with pride.
