Crowds gather in Hanoi to witness national day parade rehearsal

Nearly 12 hours before the national day parade rehearsal began, thousands of Hanoi residents flocked to the inner city streets to secure viewing spots.

Nguyen Thi Lua, 53, from Chuong My district, Hanoi, said she left home at 3 a.m. and arrived at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum at 5 a.m. to pay respects, then waited to watch the rehearsal. Lua chose a street corner to wait for the parade to pass. Photo: Tung Dinh

The intersection of Hung Vuong and Tran Phu streets in Ba Dinh ward was crowded from midday on 21/8. Many people sat on the sidewalks and on top of shipping containers to save their spots.

The first parade rehearsal was scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. that evening. Participating groups from Mieu Mon, Hoa Lac (Hanoi), and Thai Nguyen gathered at Ba Dinh square for the rehearsal, in preparation for the official ceremony on the morning of 2/9.

A family dressed in national flag attire waits for the parade on Hung Vuong street. In preparation for the rehearsal, from 11:30 a.m., Hanoi police closed most major roads within the first ring road and temporarily restricted traffic on several major roads from the second ring road outwards. Photo: Tung Dinh

People secure spots on the sidewalk at the corner of Hung Vuong and Tran Phu streets, near Ba Dinh square. They brought raincoats, mats, water, and food to wait for the parade in the evening. Hanoi has experienced unpredictable weather with both rain and sunshine over the past week. Photo: Pham Du

The cavalry unit from Thai Nguyen crossed Nhat Tan bridge into the city at 2:10 p.m. The bridge was not completely closed, but traffic was temporarily halted for the cavalry to pass.

Oanh and her family of four brought rice balls, snacks, bottled water, and raincoats to hold their spot at the intersection of Hung Vuong and Phan Dinh Phung streets, less than one kilometer from Ba Dinh square.

Oanh said her family initially planned to arrive in the afternoon, but the road closures were implemented 5.5 hours earlier than expected, so they had to change their plans and leave earlier. They planned to stay until the rehearsal finished.

A mother and daughter pose for photos in traditional ao dai with the national flag on Doc Lap street in Ba Dinh ward.

Young people wearing conical hats and stickers take souvenir photos on the street. Due to the road closures starting at 11:30 a.m., people wanting to get close to the parade had to arrive early.

The following streets were completely closed to traffic: Hoang Hoa Tham, Thuy Khue (from Hung Vuong to Van Cao), Mai Xuan Thuong, Quan Thanh, Phan Dinh Phung, Hung Vuong, Thanh Nien, Hoang Van Thu, Doc Lap, Dien Bien Phu, Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, Chua Mot Cot, Le Hong Phong, Ong Ich Khiem, Ngoc Ha, Bac Son, Ton That Dam, Nguyen Canh Chan, Hoang Dieu, Nguyen Tri Phuong, Chu Van An, Ton Duc Thang, Cat Linh, Trinh Hoai Duc, Hang Chao, Tran Phu, and Son Tay.