After more than three months of training and four rehearsals at National Military Training Center No.4, this was the first time the organizers had conducted the full-dress rehearsal at Ba Dinh Square with the relatively full participation of forces. More than 16,000 officers and soldiers are divided into 43 marching contingents, 18 standing formations, and 14 blocks of military vehicles from the armed forces and public security. Notably, for the first time since 1985, large formations of military vehicles, weapons, and equipment participated in a parade at Ba Dinh Square.
A large number of citizens gathered early along Hanoi’s streets to line up and watch the rehearsal. At the rehearsal, under the command of Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Nghia, Deputy Chief of the General Staff and Head of the Subcommittee of the parade, formations marched, including delegations representing workers, peasants, intellectuals, youth, women, veterans, and overseas Vietnamese. Particularly noteworthy was the participation of military delegations from the Russia, Laos, and Cambodia.
In his remarks to encourage the participating forces, on behalf of the leadership of the Ministries of National Defense and Public Security, General Phan Van Giang commended the efforts of all forces involved in the full-dress rehearsal, particularly the standing formations, for their discipline, regularity, and high sense of responsibility toward this important mission.
The defense leader requested that all formations continue to train diligently to ensure that upcoming rehearsals, especially the national-level full-dress rehearsal and the official parade on the morning of September 2 meet the highest standards of quality and safety, befitting this historic occasion.
Below are photos of the event.
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Female soldiers before entering the rehearsal at Ba Dinh Square |
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Tens of thousands of citizens gather early along Hanoi’s streets to welcome the parade forces moving toward Ba Dinh Square for the rehearsal. |
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Forces maneuver to positions in preparation for the rehearsal. |
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Tanks and other forces ready for the rehearsal |
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Even and well-ordered formations reflecting the strength of the people’s armed forces and the spirit of great national unity |
Translated by Tran Hoai