The 21-year-old from Luxembourg arrived in Hanoi in early August. Returning to the capital for the second time, he felt like he had "won the lottery" as his visit coincided with Vietnam's 80th National Day celebrations.

Kenzo was captivated after accidentally witnessing a performance by the People's Public Security force, with hundreds of specialized vehicles parading around Hoan Kiem lake. He was also surprised to see the streets lined with cheering and enthusiastic locals. After researching online and asking Vietnamese friends about the events, he set his sights on securing a spot to watch the first full rehearsal at Ba Dinh square.

"I waited for six hours before the event started," Kenzo said.

To secure the best viewing spot, Kenzo waited 30 minutes for a ride-hailing motorbike and then walked through the closed-off streets. Along the parade route, he was touched by the hospitality of the Vietnamese people, who offered him water, handheld flags, and even better viewing spots. The sight of everyone singing the national anthem and shouting "Vietnam Ho Chi Minh" as the military units marched past gave him "goosebumps".

"In my country, we have a National Day, but it's an occasion to honor the royal family and celebrate national unity. In Vietnam, this is a deeply historical and political event, marking the birth of an independent nation after many years under foreign rule," the 21-year-old said.

Albert, 44, from the Netherlands, was also present at Hoan Kiem lake, one of the parade routes, from 5 p.m. on 21/8. He found it novel that everyone was wearing clothes with the national flag or traditional Ao Dai. After waiting for three hours, when the rehearsal began, he took out his phone to record the moments. He even shook hands with soldiers, something he had never done in the Netherlands.

"It was even more moving to see many elderly veterans attending. They wore their military uniforms and saluted when the units passed by. The interaction between the two generations truly overwhelmed me," the 44-year-old said.

He understood that this was not just a parade but also an opportunity for the people and the military to express their affection, demonstrate unity, and celebrate the nation's joyous day.

Salvatore Bosco (left) and Eugenio Grosso Sgarrillo (right), from Italy, watch the parade rehearsal on Thanh Nien street, Tay Ho district, on 21/8/2025. Photo: M.N

From the afternoon of 21/8, the central streets of Hanoi transformed into a "sea of people" during the National Day parade rehearsal. Many foreigners also wore red shirts with a gold star, waved flags, and chanted "Vietnam". They were visibly surprised and impressed by the spirited atmosphere and national pride of the Vietnamese people.

Following the first full rehearsal, online expat groups in Hanoi buzzed with discussions seeking advice on navigating road closures and recommendations for good viewing spots. In the "Hanoi Expats" group with over 50,000 members, several foreigners shared photos taken with thousands of locals and soldiers. They expressed their enthusiasm and desire to attend subsequent rehearsals.

On TikTok, videos with keywords like "Vietnam parade" and "Military parade Vietnam" also garnered hundreds of thousands of views.

Major events are always a boost for tourism. During the 50th anniversary of Reunification Day (30/4/2025), Ho Chi Minh City welcomed approximately 120,000 international visitors, a 122% increase compared to the same period the previous year.

Continuing this success, the 80th National Day is creating a tourism surge for Hanoi. According to Booking.com, Hanoi topped the list of destinations most searched for by Vietnamese travelers for the 2/9 holiday. Data from Agoda also showed that searches for accommodation in the capital increased more than 44 times compared to the same period in 2024. Noi Bai International Airport expects record passenger numbers during the holiday, with the peak day potentially reaching 110,000 passengers, including nearly 44,000 international arrivals per day – the highest ever.

In preparation for the official event, preliminary and full rehearsals will take place on 27/8 and 30/8. The official celebration and parade will be held on the morning of 2/9 at Ba Dinh square.

Anis Espoir, 32, from Algeria, looks forward to witnessing the parade for Vietnam's 80th National Day in Hanoi. Photo: Anisespoir/TikTok

Currently traveling in Da Nang, Anis Espoir, 32, from Algeria, quickly booked the nearest flight to Hanoi to attend the parade rehearsals. Anis said videos posted by Vietnamese people on social media about the 80th National Day events made him determined not to miss the occasion.

"Algerians and Vietnamese supported each other in the struggle for independence during the French colonial period. That's why I want to be in Hanoi on 2/9 to stand alongside my Vietnamese friends and celebrate their most important day of the year," Anis Espoir said.

Kenzo said that for the next rehearsals, he will bring a shirt with the Vietnamese flag, food, drinks, and a mat. He is also looking for other events and plans to visit museums showcasing historical and military artifacts to learn more about Vietnam.

These days, Albert enjoys riding his motorbike through the streets adorned with red and gold starred flags, soaking in the festive atmosphere with the locals.

"The loudspeakers from the streets play inspiring revolutionary music. I really wish time would slow down," the 44-year-old said.

Nga Thanh - Quynh Nguyen