Over one million join Hanoi-led walking campaign as city gears up for National Day

THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi appeared to be the central point of the national walking campaign over the weekend, making it the symbolic heart of the historic exercise that gathered more than one million people across the country.

Bui Lan Phuong, a student at the National Economics University, came early to Hoan Kiem Lake where the Cung Viet Nam Tien Buoc (March forward with Vietnam) campaign held on August 16 that aim to strengthen solidarity, patriotism, and environmental consciousness.

Phuong joined thousands gathered around the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake, wearing bright red shirts marked with a yellow star, echoing the national flag. Her proud participation exemplified the youthful energy filling Hanoi that morning.

Phuong told The Hanoi Times: “I cannot wait to join the campaign that strongly reflects the unity and promote the spirit of patriotism for a better Vietnam.”

Indeed, the event is among a series of programs celebrating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2) that maily held in the capital city of Hanoi.

Hanoi’s prominence in the campaign traces back to its role as one of the 34 localities that registered citizens online at the official portal cungvietnamtienbuoc.nhandan.vn to log steps toward the goal of one billion steps into a new era.

This digital initiative, running from July 25 to August 16, demonstrated every stride as a “green step,” symbolizing personal contributions to both patriotism and Vietnam’s net-zero carbon ambitions.

At the event took place on August 16, as participants across the nation gathered at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi for an emotional flag-raising ceremony and mass rendition of the national anthem, residents walked around Hoan Kiem Lake, combining civic pride with healthy activity in a display of unity.

Addressing the event, Senior Lieutenant Tran Quoc To, Deputy Minister of Public Security, described the walk as “a symbol of unity and the bond between the police and the people.”

“It shows that our strength comes from walking together, side by side. The Public Security Force mobilized nationwide participation, and Hanoi’s example shows how collective action begins at the center,” he said.

Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of the Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper, said that the event seems like a journey of millions of hearts beating together as all generations.

All classes of people from urban to rural, mountainous, remote and isolated areas converge for a united, strong Vietnam, ready to step into the new era for a powerful future, he said.

Organizers report that over 1.1 million people joined in person, including 138,000 joining online, making nearly 5.6 billion steps together – a scale unmatched in previous campaigns.

More than steps, Hanoi walks to unify people

On August 16, Hanoi became more than the backdrop for the nationwide walking campaign but a driving force.

The city demonstrated how responsibility, symbolism, and community spirit converge in the heart of Vietnam.

Hanoi’s role went beyond logistics, as local authorities coordinated with police and mass organizations to mobilize broad participation, ensure safety around Hoan Kiem Lake, and amplify the campaign’s environmental message.

By calling each step a “green step,” organizers connected millions to show how individual actions feed into national progress.

The campaign carried strong meaning as the city, which is tackling urban problems caused by congestion and air quality, was successful in putting citizens on foot in the meaningful event toward a healthier, more sustainable future.

From early morning, hundreds of Hanoians joined officials and officers, demonstrating full municipal commitment while setting an example in national symbolic and environmental movements.

That spirit was reflected in the crowd itself, with students in uniforms, office workers, retirees, and elderly couples all joined the march.

“Walking alongside so many others made me feel part of something greater than myself,” said Tran Minh, a young engineer from the Hanoi Power Corporation (EVNHANOI).

His words echoed the sentiment of countless ordinary citizens whose pride and participation embodied the inclusivity of the campaign.

Hanoi’s leadership in the campaign also carried deeper symbolism. The proximity of Hoan Kiem Lake to landmarks like Ba Dinh Square and the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh infused the march with historic weight.

From the cradle of independence movements, the capital projected a vision of unity and progress into the future.

By walking first, the capital affirmed its responsibility to inspire provinces and cities nationwide. The footsteps that circled Hoan Kiem Lake echoed far beyond the city, sending a message of solidarity: Vietnam is moving forward together.