National Day 2/9: Hanoi illuminated from Ba Dinh Square to Hoan Kiem Lake
In the final days of August, Hanoi enters a period of preparation for the 80th anniversary of National Day. From Ba Dinh Square to Hoan Kiem Lake, and from the Thang Long Imperial Citadel to the Old Quarter, a series of activities has been scheduled, bringing residents and visitors together within a shared space of history and culture.
The morning of 2/9 begins with the military parade and march at Ba Dinh Square. Starting at 6:30 a.m., formations of the armed forces, militia units, civilian groups, and international guests will proceed along central streets. This event serves as the official ceremony and a key highlight of this year’s National Day commemorative program.
The military parade and march taking place at Ba Dinh Square. Photo: Ngoc Thanh.
Earlier, on the evening of September 1, Hanoi offered a musical prelude to the national celebration. At My Dinh National Stadium, the large-scale concert “80 Years of Independence – Freedom – Happiness” took place, with free admission for the public. Meanwhile, around Hoan Kiem Lake, audiences experienced light mapping shows on the evenings of August 29 and 30, where key moments of national history were reinterpreted through immersive visual technology.
The concert at My Dinh National Stadium on August 10 attracted tens of thousands of attendees. Photo: Thanh Nien.
Exhibition spaces also became key destinations during the holiday period. From August 28 to September 5, the Vietnam National Exhibition Centre for Culture and Arts presented the exhibition “80 Years of Independence – Freedom – Happiness,” featuring original artifacts and archival documentary films. During the same period, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel opened thematic displays on House and Bunker D67, as well as the Flag Tower of Hanoi, offering multi-layered perspectives on the capital’s history.
The “Hue – City of Heritage” space, illustrating the city’s journey in preserving and promoting its cultural heritage, will be featured at the exhibition “80 Years of Independence – Freedom – Happiness.” Photo: VnEconomy.
At Hoan Kiem pedestrian street, crowds dressed in the national colours gathered, singing together as they awaited the A80 military parade. Familiar melodies such as “Dat nuoc tron niem vui” and “Nhu co Bac trong ngay vui dai thang” filled the air, blending into the festive National Day atmosphere and bringing together patriotic hearts from across the country.
The singing began with a small group and gradually echoed along the entire street. Photo: VTC News.
Large crowds gathered as they prepared to welcome the A80 military parade. Photo: VTC News.
The night of 2 September concluded with high-altitude fireworks simultaneously launched from five locations: Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Van Quan Lake, Thong Nhat Park, and My Dinh National Stadium. For around 15 minutes, Hanoi’s skyline lit up, bringing a solemn yet vibrant National Day to a fitting close.
Fireworks illuminated the capital’s night sky on 2 September. Photo: VN Express.
This year’s National Day therefore became not only a moment to reflect on history, but also an opportunity for Hanoi to present itself as a city that preserves memory while moving forward with the times.