Vietnam marks 80 years of independence with largest-ever national celebration

Vietnam held its largest public celebration in history on Tuesday, commemorating 80 years since its declaration of independence with an elaborate parade of military might and patriotic pageantry in the capital, Hanoi.

At dawn, around 40,000 troops and civilians began marching in formation to honour the moment in 1945 when revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh declared the creation of the "Democratic Republic of Vietnam," ending colonial rule by France.

Military hardware — including tanks, missile batteries, drones, and aircraft — rolled and soared through the capital as crowds numbering in the hundreds of thousands gathered under the sweltering morning sun. Helicopters trailed national and communist flags above the city, while precision formations marched below.

"This will be my final memory. Don’t forget us," said 78-year-old war veteran Pham Thanh Van, proudly watching the display from a front-row seat at the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum. "Independence brought development and prosperity to the country. I felt it worth fighting for."

The event was attended by several international dignitaries, including China’s third-highest-ranking official, Zhao Leji, former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel. Vietnamese President To Lam delivered a keynote address, paying tribute to the country’s revolutionary past and its modern transformation.

"Our nation has overcome countless difficulties and challenges," Lam said. "Our country has transformed from a colony into an independent and unified nation, steadily advancing towards modernity and deep integration."

International presence and record-breaking scale

In a show of geopolitical alliances, Chinese and Russian troops marched alongside Vietnamese soldiers, while Vietnamese police and students in traditional dress added cultural flair to the highly choreographed event. A ceremonial artillery salute and a goose-stepping honour guard highlighted the display.

The parade, which lasted around two hours, outscaled even the 50th anniversary celebration of the fall of Saigon held in April. State media described the spectacle as "unprecedented in scale," surpassing the 30,000-strong parade held in 1985 for Vietnam’s 40th independence anniversary.

Some spectators, like university student Vu Thi Trang, camped out for more than 30 hours to secure a spot. “Something inside just pushed me to be here,” she said. “I am grateful for the sacrifices of the previous generation, so that we have peace and freedom to grow up.”

From colonial past to economic powerhouse

While French influence remains visible in Vietnam’s architecture, cuisine, and language education, Tuesday's celebrations focused on the country's achievements since independence — most notably, its transformation into a global manufacturing hub.

Vietnam’s original 1945 independence declaration was not recognised by France, which continued to control Indochina until its defeat at Dien Bien Phu in 1954. That military loss ended French colonial rule in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

"We gained independence through the blood and sweat of previous generations," said flag vendor Dang Khoa ahead of the celebrations. "Today is a tribute to all of them."

TIghtly choreographed and rich in symbolism, the celebration reinforced both Vietnam’s revolutionary legacy and its present-day ambitions on the global stage.

SR