On the night of 5/8 to 6/8, the A80 parade subcommittee of the Ministry of National Defense conducted nighttime drills for vehicle maneuvers in Ba Dinh square. Major General Phung Ngoc Son, Deputy Director of the General Department of Logistics and Technology and Deputy Head of the A80 Subcommittee, oversaw the training.

At 8:30 pm on 5/8, the convoy of military vehicles moved along designated routes towards central Hanoi. Amidst heavy rain, the equipment was covered with tarpaulins and transported by specialized vehicles. By 12:30 am on 6/8, the units began maneuvering drills across Ba Dinh square, following the organizers' instructions. The forces were divided into three units: the first comprised tracked vehicles, tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery; the second consisted of wheeled artillery vehicles; and the third included specialized police vehicles.

Participating forces included military and police vehicle units, along with technical support teams. The drills covered logistical and technical aspects, inter-force coordination, and command operations. They also included training for handling situations such as technical malfunctions, traffic jams, repairs, and towing.

Specialized equipment is covered and transported by specialized vehicles on the streets. Photo: Thang Bay

The exercise aimed to familiarize personnel and drivers with the routes and ensure the technical readiness of vehicles and armored vehicles from their bases to assembly points, preliminary reviews, general rehearsals, and finally, their official deployment in Ba Dinh. It also served to assess the traffic systems along the maneuvering routes.

After over three hours of drills, around 4 am, the vehicles returned to the Mieu Mon National Training Center. The exercise was completed safely.

Armored troops practice in Ba Dinh Square in preparation for the grand celebration. Photo: Thang Bay

On 2/9, Vietnam will hold a ceremony and parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day in Ba Dinh square, Hanoi – the place where President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on 2/9/1945.

The parade will feature a full complement of forces, including ground troops, mechanized units, air, and naval forces. Nearly 16,000 people will participate, comprising 43 marching units, 18 stationary units, and 14 units of military and specialized vehicles from the army and police. Notably, for the first time in 40 years since National Day on 2/9/1985, military vehicles, including armored units, will be featured in the parade.

A naval parade will be held for the first time in Khanh Hoa province, with the participation of the Navy, Coast Guard, Border Guard, and Military Region 5. The Navy will play a central role, showcasing Kilo 636 submarines, surface vessels, naval aviation, and other specialized units.

Thang Bay - Hoang Phuong