A grand celebration unfolded today to mark a very special birthday: 80 years since Vietnam declared its independence. The country pulled out all the stops. There was a massive military parade, the biggest seen in decades. Citizens also received a historic cash handout, and nearly 14,000 prisoners walked free.
Tens of thousands of people filled the streets of Hanoi. They wore red shirts and waved their national flags. The atmosphere was thick with national pride. Important guests from other countries joined the festivities. Among them were Zhao Leji, a top Chinese official, Hun Sen, the former Cambodian Prime Minister, and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.
The military parade was quite a show of strength. It featured modern military gear. Spectators saw Mi-171 helicopters fly overhead. Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets roared past. Even drones made in the country joined the display. Soldiers from China, Russia, and other nations also marched in the parade.
This huge event happened in Ba Dinh Square. This spot is deeply important to the nation. It is where revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh announced independence on September 2, 1945. That day marked the start of an independent Vietnam. It ended almost a century of French colonial rule. It also finished Japan’s wartime occupation.
To Lam, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, spoke at the opening. He said, “We are committed to defending our freedom and borders. Every sacred inch of our homeland will be protected.” His words echoed the strong sense of national identity. This identity was forged through long struggles for self-rule.
The government also made some generous gestures. They gave 100,000 dong (about 122 Thai Baht) to 100 million people. This added up to a massive 12.26 billion Thai Baht. President Lương Cường also announced a large-scale amnesty. A total of 13,920 prisoners were released early. This group included 66 foreign nationals. These acts further added to the celebratory mood of the day.
Source: Reuters