HANOI — August 27. Large-scale traffic restrictions were implemented in downtown Hanoi as part of the rehearsal for Vietnam’s upcoming military parade, scheduled for September 2 to mark the 80th anniversary of the country’s independence. Roads across the city center, including the area around Ba Dinh Square — the main venue for the parade — were blocked or subject to restricted access.

One week before the official celebrations, the Ba Dinh Square area—where the parade will be staged—was already crowded with residents dressed in ao dai, Vietnam’s traditional attire, taking photos early Sunday morning before 6 a.m.

Starting at 8 p.m., the rehearsal began at Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh declared independence on September 2, 1945. Around 16,000 soldiers and 60 military units participated, along with international contingents from countries such as Russia and Cambodia.

Vietnam’s National Day on September 2, 2025, also marking the country’s 80th anniversary, promises a spectacular celebration in Hanoi! Last Saturday, a large-scale parade rehearsal was held around Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of the Old Quarter, giving a sneak peek of the upcoming festivities.