[Breaking: Hanoi Report] Parade Traffic Restrictions on Aug. 27th

Even Japanese Residential Areas Turn into “Islands”

Police barricades installed in Hanoi for parade-related traffic restrictions (Photo: KAISEIWORLD)

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.

Traffic restriction routes for tonight’s 8 PM parade rehearsal (Graphic: Tạ Lư)

The restrictions were rolled out gradually starting at noon. By 3 PM, pedestrian access was only partially allowed, while cars and motorbikes were already banned.

In fully restricted areas such as Kim Ma Street and Doi Can Street — near neighborhoods with a high concentration of Japanese residents — it has become virtually impossible for residents to leave the area.

The traffic restrictions will remain in place until 3 AM tomorrow.

Another rehearsal is scheduled for Friday, August 29, with restrictions in the city center starting at 6 PM.