Grand ceremony marking Vietnam’s 80th National Day in closeup

The grand ceremony opens with a majestic drum performance, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day.

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Following the drum performance is the torch procession and the lighting of the traditional revolutionary flame, with the sacred fire brought from Pac Bo Cave, Cao Bang province - the birthplace of the revolution.

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To the stirring tune of the National Anthem, 21 thunderous cannon shots from My Dinh National Stadium officially marks the opening of the grand ceremony.

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Party General Secretary To Lam attends the grand ceremony alongside other senior Party and State leaders of Vietnam, and foreign leaders.

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The military parade starts with the heroic Vietnam People’s Air Force, featuring formations of Mi-171, Mi-17, and Mi-8 helicopters; Casa C-295 and C212i transport aircraft; and Yak-130, L-39NG, and Su-30MK2 fighter jets.

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At the same time, the Vietnam People’s Navy also holds a large-scale naval parade in the waters of Cam Ranh port, Khanh Hoa province, showcasing the strength of the navy force.

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Next at Ba Dinh Square comes the marching formations of 22 units of the Vietnam People’s Army, 17 units of the People’s Public Security, three militia and guerrilla units, 13 civilian formations, 14 formations of military vehicles and artillery, nine formations of special police vehicles, and the Red Flag formation.