Following the opening ceremony of the "80 Years of National Achievements: A Journey of Independence, Freedom, and Happiness" exhibition on 28/8, the Vietnam Exhibition Fair Center (VEFC) welcomed a large crowd. Visitors, many carrying Vietnamese flags, were eager to explore the exhibits.

Many young people from surrounding areas expressed surprise at the exhibition's scale and popularity. "I arrived early, but it was unexpectedly crowded. Everyone was excited to explore. It felt like a festival," shared Mai Anh from Cau Giay.

The "95 Years Under the Party's Flag" historical exhibit at the Kim Quy Exhibition Center resonated deeply with older visitors, especially war veterans.

Veterans were moved as they recalled the nation's challenging yet heroic past and expressed pride in Vietnam's progress and transformation.

At the Voice of Vietnam exhibit, visitors were surprised to hear a virtual reality recreation of Ho Chi Minh's voice echoing across Ba Dinh Square. "National Day has never felt so real," shared Nguyen Minh, a 19-year-old student.

Younger visitors, especially children, enjoyed the technology exhibits. They interacted with VinMotion's humanoid robots at the Vingroup booth. Some international visitors expressed admiration for Vietnamese innovation. Vingroup reported over 50,000 visitors to their booth in the H3 - National Founding and Entrepreneurship zone on the first day, demonstrating significant public interest.

In the West Yard, themed "Sky Aspirations - For a Green Future," the Vingroup Green Alliance exhibit was a major attraction. The Lac Hong 900 LX, a bulletproof vehicle designed for dignitaries, made its debut with hundreds of bullet marks on its body, drawing long lines of onlookers.

Other interactive areas were also popular. Late into the evening, lines stretched for tens of meters. Le Van Hanh, 67, enjoyed the Airbus 320 flight simulator. "I never thought I'd sit in a cockpit. I'll definitely bring my grandchildren back this weekend," he said.

The "Sword and Shield" exhibit showcased milestones from Vietnam's wars for peace and independence. Visitors also saw various artifacts, from rudimentary weapons used in the early days of resistance to modern equipment developed and produced in Vietnam.

At the shooting simulation, people patiently waited their turn. "This is a rare opportunity to understand Vietnam's national defense capabilities," said Nguyen Dinh Anh from Thanh Xuan.

The three-region culinary area offered specialties from North, Central, and South Vietnam. Visitors enjoyed iconic dishes: Hanoi pho, Hue tapioca dumplings, and Saigon iced coffee.

As the evening cooled, the crowds grew. At 10 PM, fireworks lit up the sky above the exhibition center, met with cheers. The VEFC will hold high-altitude fireworks displays at the main gate on three nights: the opening night (28/8 at 10 PM), National Day (2/9), and the closing night (5/9).

Organizers anticipate even larger crowds in the coming days, with the National Day holiday extending to four days.

The "80 Years of National Achievements" exhibition runs from 28/8 to 5/9 at the VEFC. It features 230 booths covering nearly 260,000 m2, showcasing achievements from 34 provinces and cities, 28 ministries, and prominent private and state-owned enterprises.

Yen Chi

Photo: Vingroup