National Day celebrations inspire patriotism among young Hanoi generations

THE HANOI TIMES — The parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2 at the historic Ba Dinh Square is an inspiration to young people of Hanoi.

From overseas students returning home for the historic occasion to university students, schoolchildren, and young teachers in Hanoi, all shared the same deep emotion as they attended the event in person.

Studying in London, Nguyen Dac Loc put aside his work and rearranged his study schedule to return to Vietnam for the 80th National Day anniversary.

As he joined the crowds along Kim Ma Street to watch the parade pass by, he could clearly feel the solemn atmosphere and the heroic spirit of the day.

Living abroad, Loc often spoke proudly with international friends about Vietnam’s traditions.

As he stood among the crowd in the capital, watching the marching troops and hearing the national anthem echo through Ba Dinh, he felt the sacred meaning of independence and freedom even more deeply.

“Returning at this special time makes me understand more clearly the responsibility of a young person, that is to study hard, train myself, and one day contribute to promoting Vietnam’s image in the world,” Loc shared.

Nguyen Kim Ngan, who had lived abroad since childhood with her parents, chose this year to return to Vietnam alone to study at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

Coming back in a year of such historic significance, it was a blessing for her and she became even more attached to the land of her birth.

“This is the first time I have witnessed the National Day parade with my own eyes. Standing right in the center of the capital, I truly felt the pride of being part of Vietnam’s young generation,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.

The atmosphere in Hanoi these days shows her that the spirit of unity and the will for independence remain unshakable values, built up through many generations.

“I believe these experiences will give me more motivation to strive, so that one day I can contribute to diplomacy and help Vietnam become stronger in the eyes of international friends.”

For young participants in the formation blocks of the parade, their task seemed simple but required absolute precision, as each individual was an indispensable piece of the whole.

“Although the training was exhausting, with many days under tough conditions, when the results appeared on stage, I felt every effort was worthwhile,” said Tran Thi Thanh Nguyet, a student at Hanoi University of Culture.

For her, joining the celebrations was an unforgettable experience.

“I could feel the spirit of solidarity, the pride of our nation, and deep gratitude to the generations who sacrificed for independence. To be part of this atmosphere is something sacred and truly meaningful.”

Since the early rehearsals of the A80 program, young teacher Hoang Lan Chi from Mac Dinh Chi Secondary School had witnessed the disciplined preparations of the armed forces. That is why, when she stood on Kim Ma Street this morning with citizens watching the parade, she deeply felt the significance of the event.

“As a teacher, I hope my students will understand that independence and peace did not come by chance, but from the sacrifices of our forefathers and the dedication of many generations,” Chi said.

Also on Kim Ma Street, three young girls Bui Thi Khanh An, Nguyen Thi Diem My, and Nguyen Trieu My woke up at 5 AM to watch the parade from their neighborhood. “We were so excited. Our street was filled with people who were all eager and joyful. I had never seen such a solemn yet festive event before,” Khanh An said.

What thrilled them the most was seeing the national flag fluttering high in the sky, amid the cheerful atmosphere and waves of applause echoing through the streets.

For these young children, the day’s experience felt like a living history lesson, helping them understand more about national pride and the sacred value of independence and freedom.

Just like the lyrics of the song “With red blood and yellow skin, I am Vietnamese…”, the emotions on National Day became a powerful bond connecting generations.

For young people, the event is an unforgettable memory, and also a reminder of national pride and responsibility for the country’s future.

From that moment, the aspiration to build and affirm Vietnam’s position on the international stage has grown even stronger, so that the spirit of unity and the love for the homeland will continue to resonate in every step of today’s generation.