The 80th Anniversary of September 2: A Grand Celebration of Vietnam’s Independence

On September 2, 2025, Vietnam celebrated a monumental milestone—the 80th Anniversary of its National Day, commemorating the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945. This significant occasion featured a diverse array of events, ranging from solemn commemorations and scholarly exhibitions to high-profile parades, cultural programming, and innovative digital experiences. Here's an overview of the day’s key highlights.

Spectacular Military Parade and People’s Procession

At the historic Ba Đình Square in Hanoi, a large-scale parade and ceremonial procession took place, replacing a traditional review-of-troops ceremony. The event featured approximately 40,000 participants, including personnel from the People’s Army, the Police, public civilians, and international guests. A striking novelty was the inclusion of a maritime military parade off the coast of Cam Ranh Bay, Khánh Hòa, showcasing a Kilo-class submarine and specialized naval equipment.

This celebration also marked a notable first: the inclusion of international military contingents in the parade. The force notably included five invited countries—Russia, China, Laos, Cambodia, and Belarus—a significant diplomatic gesture symbolizing international solidarity.

Hanoi Ablaze with Fireworks and Festive Atmosphere

As night fell, a spectacular fireworks display illuminated the capital. High-altitude firework shows lit up the skyline at five major locations: Hoàn Kiếm Lake, West Lake, Văn Quán Lake, Thống Nhất Park, and the Mỹ Đình National Stadium. The vibrant public joy was palpable across the city, with traffic routes, LED screens, and coordination messaging carefully planned to accommodate enthusiastic crowds.

Ho Chi Minh City held fireworks shows at Thủ Thiêm Tunnel, Đầm Sen Park, and many central locations. Other cities such as Đà Nẵng, Hải Phòng, Cần Thơ, Huế, and Quảng Ninh also joined the festivities, creating a nationwide atmosphere of pride, unity, and joy on this historic occasion.

 

A Journey Through History at Ho Chi Minh’s Residence

Beyond the battlefield and street parades, the celebration extended to a more reflective and educational setting—the Ho Chi Minh Residence Historical Site. On August 15, 2025, preceding the National Day, a six-part cultural and museum exhibition series was launched in anticipation of the anniversary.

These six elements included:

1. “Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh – Milestones of the Nation”: A curated exhibition featuring over 200 photographs, artifacts, and documents. The exhibit, organized in five thematic sections, traced historical developments from Bác Hồ’s early quest for patriotism (1911–1941), through the August Revolution and the founding of modern Vietnam, to the Điện Biên Phủ victory, the reunification period, and Vietnam’s international integration.
2. Thematic Exhibition "Journey for Peace": A specialized display in collaboration with the Peacekeeping Forces of the Ministry of Defence and the UN Peacekeeping Office led by the Ministry of Public Security. Divided into two segments, it illustrated Bác Hồ and General Nguyễn Chí Thanh’s contributions to peace and highlighted Vietnam’s current role in global peacekeeping operations.
3. Exhibition "Continuing the Story of Peace": Running alongside the thematic display, this exhibition further emphasized the ongoing peace legacy rooted in Vietnam’s history.
4. Launch of the book "Ho Chi Minh and General Nguyễn Chí Thanh": The first ever publication focused on the relationship between Vietnam’s iconic leader and the legendary general, produced with the support of the People's Army Publishing House, commemorating Thanh’s contributions to national independence.
5. Release of the book "The Former Indochinese Governor's Palace and today’s Presidential Palace": A comparative study tracing the architectural and symbolic transformation from colonial governance site to the home of Vietnam's revolutionary leader.
6. AR-Enhanced Historical Experience: An immersive Augmented Reality (AR) installation blending historical content with real-world scenery, created in collaboration with Sun Group and Viettel High Tech, offering visitors a modern lens on the site’s rich heritage.

These exhibitions reinforced national pride and historical consciousness, bringing together themes of independence, culture, peace, and technological innovation.

A Day of Unity and Reflection

The 80th National Day was not only a festival of colors, music, and pageantry—it was also a moment of deep reflection. Vietnamese people remembered the sacrifices of earlier generations while reaffirming their determination to build a prosperous, peaceful, and globally respected nation.

From solemn exhibitions to vibrant fireworks, from the grandeur of parades to the intimacy of family gatherings, September 2, 2025 became a truly national celebration. It connected history with modernity, tradition with innovation, and above all, united millions of people across Vietnam under the shared spirit of independence and pride.