After 9 PM, the convoy departed Mieu Mon, following the Xuan Mai - Hoa Lac - Thang Long Boulevard route into central Hanoi. The vehicles were split into two groups. The first consisted of 12 tracked and wheeled armored vehicles heading to the Ministry of National Defense headquarters. The second comprised artillery vehicles from the Navy and Air Defense-Air Force, some camouflaged and transported on specialized trailers.
Major General Phung Ngoc Son, Chief of Staff of the General Department of Logistics and Technology, oversaw the preparations. He confirmed that all vehicles were in top condition, drivers were healthy, and everyone was ready for the nighttime operation. "Repair teams have been stationed along the route, at intersections, and especially behind the convoys," he added.
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Armored vehicles leave Mieu Mon on the night of 18/8. Photo: Tuan Huy |
Armored vehicles leave Mieu Mon on the night of 18/8. Photo: Tuan Huy
From Thang Long Boulevard, the tracked vehicles proceeded via Le Quang Dao Street and My Dinh National Stadium, then continued along Le Duc Tho and Pham Van Dong streets to reach the Ministry of National Defense headquarters. The wheeled vehicles in the second group took the F1 racetrack route. Military and police personnel directed traffic along the routes.
The military vehicles have undergone days of training and 4 combined rehearsals with other parade units and special police vehicles. Previously, on the night of 5/8, a similar convoy traveled from Mieu Mon to Ba Dinh Square for rehearsals related to "Mission A80," the codename for the National Day parade.
The armored vehicle contingent for A80 includes both tracked and wheeled vehicles. This marks the first appearance of armored vehicles in the Ba Dinh Square parade since National Day on 2/9/1985, 40 years ago. The A80 parade will also showcase domestically developed and upgraded weaponry, such as the XCB-01 and XCB-02 infantry fighting vehicles, and modernized T54B/T55 tanks.
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Equipment camouflaged before deployment. Photo: Hoang Phuong |
Equipment camouflaged before deployment. Photo: Hoang Phuong
Addressing the parade units on 16/8, Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang emphasized the importance of maintaining impeccable performance even if it rains on 2/9. "There's no room for a second take," he stated, urging the troops to project strength and unity for the world to see.
"For the first time, Vietnam will have a naval parade with the Navy, Coast Guard, Border Guard, demonstrating to the world our comprehensive defense capabilities," he added.
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Major General Phung Ngoc Son inspects equipment before deployment. Photo: Hoang Phuong |
Major General Phung Ngoc Son inspects equipment before deployment. Photo: Hoang Phuong
Two more rehearsals are scheduled for the evenings of 21/8 and 24/8 in Ba Dinh Square. However, a tropical depression is expected to bring heavy rain to northern Vietnam this week, potentially affecting the rehearsals.
The National Day celebration on 2/9 in Ba Dinh Square will begin with a traditional torch relay, ceremonial gun salute, and an Air Force flyover, followed by the military and civilian parades. Afterwards, the parade units will disperse through various streets, interacting with the public at Quan Ngua Sports Palace and August Revolution Square.
This year's parade involves over 16,000 personnel, including 43 marching units, 18 stationary units, and 14 military and special police vehicle units. The return of armored vehicles marks a significant event, unseen since the 1985 National Day parade. For the first time, a naval parade will also be held in Khanh Hoa, featuring the Navy, Coast Guard, Border Guard, and Military Region 5.
Hoang Phuong
