Nearly 5,000 square metres of flowers and plants are damaged or stolen after two parade rehearsals in central Hanoi.
The Hanoi Infrastructure and Technical Management Centre reported damage following combined rehearsals for the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day celebrations held on August 21 and 24.
Officials said lawns, flower beds and ornamental plants along main parade routes, including Ba Dinh Square, were trampled, uprooted or stolen. Hanging flower racks and pots were also displaced or broken, with two racks missing entirely.
Cleanup crews have since removed broken plants, cleaned the sites and are working to restore recoverable greenery ahead of the official events.
Hanoi police announced road closures on 54 streets for rehearsals on August 27 and 30, and for the National Day parade on September 2.