At the regular government press conference on 7/8, Major General Tong Van Thanh, Deputy Director of the Propaganda and Training Department (General Department of Politics, Vietnam People's Army), announced this information. Vietnam is actively coordinating with China and Russia to invite their forces to participate.
According to Mr. Thanh, 6 groups will participate in the parade marking the 80th anniversary of National Day on 2/9: The traditional torch relay and honor guard; the artillery salute; and the air force flyover.
The parade itself will consist of 4 ceremonial blocks; 43 blocks representing the armed forces (26 army blocks and 17 police blocks), including a block of foreign troops; military artillery vehicles and special police vehicles; a naval parade; 12 civilian parade blocks; and a cultural and sports village block.
The background forces include the platform honor guard, 11 army blocks, and 7 police blocks. There will also be formations and lettering.
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Laotian troops participate in the April 30 parade in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thanh Tung |
Laotian troops participate in the April 30 parade in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thanh Tung
The parade will be held on the morning of 2/9 at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi. It will begin with the traditional torch relay and artillery salute, followed by the air force flyover and the parade of various blocks.
After passing the reviewing stand, the parade units will disperse along several city streets. The armed forces participating in the parade will engage in cultural exchanges with the public at the Quan Ngua Sports Palace and the August Revolution Square (Hanoi Opera House).
The naval parade, held in Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa), will be broadcast live for the public.
"Through rehearsals and combined training, the spirit, responsibility, health, and technical conditions of all units are now ready for the official parade", General Thanh said.
The forces are scheduled for combined rehearsals on the evenings of 21/8 and 24/8; a state-level preview on the evening of 27/8; and a final state-level rehearsal on the morning of 30/8 before the official event.
According to Mr. Thanh, Vietnam is organizing this parade to commemorate the August Revolution and National Day to send a message to the domestic and international community, affirming the value and significance of these two events 80 years ago. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate the growth of the army and police over the past 80 years, as well as to educate about revolutionary ideals, patriotic traditions, national pride, and the spirit of national unity; to express gratitude to the generations who sacrificed for the independence, freedom, and unification of the Fatherland; and to inspire self-reliance, and the aspiration for a prosperous and happy nation.
"This is also an occasion to demonstrate the strength of the people's armed forces, affirming the will of the entire Party, people, and army to successfully implement national renewal and firmly defend the Fatherland in all circumstances, as well as Vietnam's desire for peace", Mr. Thanh said.
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Major General Tong Van Thanh, Deputy Director of the Propaganda and Training Department (General Department of Politics, Vietnam People's Army) answers questions at the Government press conference on the afternoon of 7/8. Photo: Nguyen Phong |
Major General Tong Van Thanh, Deputy Director of the Propaganda and Training Department (General Department of Politics, Vietnam People's Army) answers questions at the Government press conference on the afternoon of 7/8. Photo: Nguyen Phong
Major General Nguyen Quoc Toan, Chief of Office of the Ministry of Public Security, added that security for the upcoming parade is being given "the highest priority". The Ministry of Public Security has established a Security and Order Subcommittee to ensure the safety of the event. Local police forces have also been mobilized.
The Ministry of Public Security has set two important tasks for ensuring security at the event: "not allowing even the smallest mistake" while remaining friendly as this is a national holiday with many international guests attending.
Vu Tuan
