More than 30,000 people joined a massive parade to mark Vietnam’s 70th National Day today, September 2, at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi.
The event started at 7 am this morning with a 21-gun salute and was aired live by national broadcaster Vietnam Television.
President Truong Tan Sang, General Party Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and many former state and party leaders attended the event.
President Truong Tan Sang and General Party Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong watch the parade
President Truong Tan Sang said National Day was a landmark in Vietnamese history, bringing Vietnam into the new era of independence and socialism. This was also the foundation for the country to integrate into the world.
From Ba Dinh Square, the parade split into two halves, with one route running along Nguyen Thai Hoc, Kim Ma and Lieu Giai and the other down Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hang Khay, Trang Tien and concluding at Hanoi Opera House.
A total of 40 streets in Hanoi were shut for the parade. Fireworks displays will also held at Hoan Kiem Lake, Thong Nhat Park, Van Quan Lake, My Dinh National Stadium, and Nguyen Hoang Ton in Hanoi tonight at 9pm to celebrate National Day.
The 21-gun salute
People gathered along streets to see the parade
People stayed overnight on Hanoi streets to wait for the parade
