On the evening of 19/8, artillery transport vehicles lined up within the 45th Artillery Brigade compound. The 105mm howitzers, designated for the ceremonial salute, were secured to specialized vehicles, camouflaged, and fitted with muzzle covers.

The 45th Artillery Brigade's Ceremonial Cannon Team has been responsible for the 21-gun salute, the highest honor for national celebrations and welcoming dignitaries, since 2010. The brigade is one of the oldest units in the Vietnam People's Army, established on 22/8/1945. It fired the opening shots of the Dien Bien Phu campaign in 1954 and the final shots of the Ho Chi Minh campaign in 1975.

Before departure, Colonel Pham Minh Trung, Deputy Commander of the Artillery Corps, reviewed the transport plan, including speed, vehicle spacing, and contingency procedures. He reminded the troops of the importance of maintaining a polished appearance, with clean shaves and proper uniforms, as the ceremony attracts considerable public attention.

Prior to mobilization, the artillery crew double-checked the steel restraints securing the howitzer brakes and activated the muzzle lights for safety during transport.

After a final check of his kit, Private Nguyen Thanh Nam enjoyed a moment of fresh air before heading to the capital. For the 20-year-old soldier, being part of the Ceremonial Cannon Team for the A80 mission "is the most special experience of my youth," after nearly two years of service.

After 9 p.m., the specialized vehicles carrying the cannons departed the 45th Artillery Brigade, following National Highway 21 and Thang Long Boulevard towards My Dinh Stadium.

The convoy moved through Hanoi on an autumn night.

Simultaneously, military artillery vehicles also moved from the Mieu Mon National Training Center along Xuan Mai Road to the F1 racetrack area within My Dinh Stadium. The parade will feature 152mm D-20 long-range guns; 130mm M46 howitzers, symbols of operational artillery power; missiles; and SU-122 and SU-152 self-propelled guns. The Artillery Corps will contribute three elements to the A80 celebrations: the Ceremonial Cannon Team, the military artillery vehicle convoy, and the artillery troops.

After days of rain, the clear and cool evening brought many people out to watch the equipment move through the capital. After nearly 1.5 hours, the ceremonial cannons arrived at My Dinh Sports Complex.

At 10:40 p.m., the troops quickly unhitched the 2.3-ton howitzers from the transport vehicles and moved them to the staging area. The firing position will be set up within My Dinh Stadium, facing Le Duc Tho Street in front of the square.

Number one gunner Nguyen Tien Duc removed the camouflage from his assigned howitzer. Each 105mm howitzer is operated by a three-person crew: the number one gunner fires the weapon, the number two gunner operates the breech, and the number three gunner loads the ammunition.

After the camouflage was removed, the howitzers were washed down after their journey. Maintaining the equipment is a regular task before training begins.

Most of the gunners are conscripts. The 45th Brigade's Ceremonial Cannon Team is a secondary duty, so the troops typically return to their regular units for daily activities and combat training, assembling only when called upon.

For the A80 mission, the team has been training since mid-May. The gunners undergo over 100 days of training, six days a week, including two night sessions and weekend exercises. Despite the intense schedule, everyone puts in their utmost effort, as firing the 21-gun salute is both an honor and a responsibility, and for some, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The following day, the troops continued preparing the howitzers, laying down red carpets, and making final arrangements before practice. "Training before the official ceremony will involve platoon, battery, and full Ceremonial Cannon Team formations, along with the military band and communications personnel," said Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Manh Hung, Ceremonial Cannon Team Leader and Deputy Commander of the 45th Artillery Brigade.

This year's parade involves over 16,000 military personnel, including 43 marching blocks, 18 stationary blocks, and 14 blocks of military artillery and special forces vehicles from the Army and Police. This marks the return of military artillery vehicles, including armored tanks, to the parade after 40 years, since the 1985 National Day celebration. The Air Force will also participate with a flyover of more than 30 aircraft. A naval parade will also be held for the first time in Khanh Hoa, with participation from the Navy, Coast Guard, Border Guard, and Military Region 5.

Giang Huy - Hoang Phuong