On the afternoon of 19/8, residents of Hang Chao street (O Cho Dua ward) were busy putting the finishing touches on their decorations, which feature thousands of red flags with gold stars, in preparation for National Day on 2/9.

The 300-meter-long street is adorned with 600 strings of flags, each string containing 20 small flags, for a total of 12,000 flags. 50 larger flags of the Communist Party and the national flag are also displayed, along with three giant 3x2 meter flags at the center and both ends of the street, creating a striking visual.

Kim Oanh, 62, explained that after seeing the community's enthusiasm, she began collecting donations, with contributions varying according to each family’s circumstances, ranging from 100,000-200,000 VND to several million VND. “When I first proposed the idea, I was both excited and worried, unsure if everyone would agree. When people started supporting it, I was so happy, some days I was so joyful I couldn't eat or sleep,” she shared.

Chu Huu Thang, 71, said the decorating began on the morning of 17/8 and has continued non-stop since then. The most remarkable thing, he said, is the enthusiastic response from the community. Many families have donated money, ladders, and tools to help. “Almost everyone on the street has participated, from the elderly to the young, men and women. Some families have even mobilized their children and in-laws to join in,” he shared.

“I was both worried and hopeful that the project would be successful. My biggest concern was that it wouldn't turn out as planned, but now that it’s complete, it’s a source of pride,” Thang shared.

Thang said the biggest challenge was the cost of the flags. Initially, each household was expected to contribute 100,000 VND, but the number of flags needed was higher than anticipated, bringing the total cost for flags alone to 30 million VND. “When we first discussed buying the flags, the price for one string was only 29,000 VND, but by the time we placed the order, it had increased to 34,000 VND for each 10-meter string,” he explained.

Residents excitedly raise a giant flag together and take commemorative photos under the street filled with red flags.

Thang explained that although he doesn't hold an official position in the neighborhood, he often takes the lead in organizing community events, from trips and festivals to gatherings, about three times a year. Major holidays like 30/4 (Liberation Day), 2/9 (National Day), 10/10 (Hanoi Liberation Day), and the year-end party always attract a large number of residents.

This year, after two wards merged, the residential group within O Cho Dua ward has become even more united. “Those who have more contribute more, those who have less contribute less, but everyone is enthusiastic,” he said. For the upcoming National Day, the whole street will have a celebration to admire the decorations and welcome the holiday.

Nguyen Duong Hung, 60, said that over the past week, the residential group surveyed, designed, and implemented the project, ensuring it was completed quickly and safely. The project is now about 95% complete, with the remaining work mainly involving adjusting the hanging strings and rearranging the flags, expected to be finished in the next one to two days. “The biggest challenge is the high volume of traffic on the street, with many high trucks and container vehicles passing through regularly, so we had to calculate the height of the flags to avoid affecting traffic,” he said.

Nguyen Thuy Linh, 73, was moved to see the street ablaze with flags and flowers, creating a heroic atmosphere and a sense of pride. “The flag-lined street was completed just in time for 19/8, the founding day of the People's Public Security. Our family’s joy is even greater because we have a relative working in the force,” she said. For this holiday, Linh’s family plans to go to Ba Dinh Square to join in the celebratory atmosphere with people from across the country.

Thousands of fluttering flags create a vibrant and joyful atmosphere for residents and visitors. On 2/9, Vietnam will hold a ceremony and parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, where President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on 2/9/1945. The parade will include a full complement of forces, with ground troops, motorized units, air and naval forces. The ground parade of the army and police will consist of 43 marching blocks and 18 stationary blocks with over 15,600 personnel. The Ministry of National Defense has sent invitations to the militaries of Russia, China, Laos, Cambodia, and Belarus to participate.

Tung Dinh