Having just arrived in Hanoi on August 24 morning, Jakke and Sarah from Belgium quickly realized that their decision to visit Hanoi during this time was absolutely right, as they had the chance to feel the city’s vibrant energy on a historic holiday. From their hotel near Hoan Kiem Lake to the main streets, everything was decorated with red flags and flowers.
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Jakke and Sarah from Belgium |
Learning about the second full rehearsal, they joined the crowd. Originally planning to head to Thanh Nien Street, they quickly realized the area was packed, so they walked to Tran Phu Street instead.
Both were amazed to see homes decorated with flags, and locals dressed proudly in red shirts with yellow stars. Everyone they met was friendly, always smiling and offering helpful directions. Even though it was hard to find a good spot, they were excited to enjoy the atmosphere and wait for the parade formations.
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Sidharth and Ketika from India and a Vietnamese child |
For Sidharth and Ketika from India, this was their last evening of the five-day stay in Hanoi before continuing their trip to Da Nang city. They heard about the parade route and decided to stop at the Trinh Hoai Duc - Tran Phu intersection. Although they knew the streets around Ba Dinh Square would be packed, they were still surprised at how crowded it was even though this was only a rehearsal, not the official event. Despite arriving early, they couldn’t get close to the intersection.
What impressed them most was that locals were dressed in national colors, children waving national flags, and groups of people singing together. Ketika recalled a cheerful song with the words “Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh” (in the song “As if Uncle Ho was with us on the great victory day”). The couple was also impressed with the friendliness of local people who started conversations, sharing stories about the city and recommending food spots.
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For John and his girlfriend, it is truly one of their unforgettable experiences in Vietnam. |
John and his girlfriend from the U.K. had originally planned to visit the Presidential Palace relic site. At first, they felt a bit disappointed about being stuck in the crowd, they then quickly joined the excitement as people on Le Hong Phong Street cheered and clapped during the rehearsal. Though they could not get close enough to see military vehicles, they said they would search for clips on social media afterward. For them, it was one of their unforgettable experiences of their trip to Vietnam.
Translated by Mai Huong