The state-level parade rehearsal began at 8 p.m., featuring over 16,300 military personnel in 43 marching formations and 18 stationary formations. The parade also included six military artillery vehicle formations, eight special police vehicle formations, and troops from Russia, Laos, and Cambodia.

From Hung Vuong Street, troops and vehicles dispersed onto eight central Hanoi streets. The photo shows the Special Forces officer formation passing through the Cua Nam intersection. Photo: Giang Huy

Over 30 Russian soldiers, rifles in hand, marched through Ba Dinh Square and Cua Nam Street. This marks their first participation in a Vietnamese parade, commemorating 80 years of National Day (A80), at the invitation of the Ministry of National Defense. The troops arrived at Noi Bai at noon on 20/8. Photo: Duc Dong - Quynh Tran

On Cua Nam Street, children and parents cheered as the Electronic Warfare soldiers marched past. These troops traveled from southern Vietnam to Hanoi in mid-June and underwent nearly two months of training during Hanoi's hottest summer days. Photo: Quynh Tran

Hundreds gathered early at the Lieu Giai – Dao Tan intersection, crowding under the overpass and the Lotte building to capture the rehearsal. Photo: Nguyen Dong

Military formations stretched along Trang Tien Street, one of Hanoi's busiest streets. Sidewalks and buildings were packed with people watching the rehearsal. Photo: Thanh Tung

The South Vietnamese female guerrillas, in their distinctive conical hats, checkered scarves, and traditional "ba ba" shirts, drew much attention. Photo: Duc Dong

A veteran in a wheelchair, holding a national flag sticker, cheered the parade near the Grand Opera House. Photo: Hieu Luong

From Ba Dinh Square, the procession of vehicles moved onto Hung Vuong Street and then dispersed to the central streets. Leading the formation were upgraded T-54B, T-55, T-90SK, and T-62 tanks, followed by artillery vehicles, missile systems, and UAVs. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

The armored formation passed Dien Bien Phu Street, in front of the Hanoi Flag Tower, to the cheers of the crowd. Photo: Vo Thanh

The parade passed the Hanoi Opera House. People cheered enthusiastically, especially for the troops from Russia, Laos, and Cambodia. Photo: Hieu Luong

Soldiers from the Cyberspace Operations Force formed a heart shape with their hands as they marched down Trang Tien Street. Photo: Thanh Tung

Female special forces waved to the crowd on Van Cao Street, near Quan Ngua Sports Palace. Photo: Tung Dinh

Quan Ngua Sports Palace was the final gathering point for many parade formations. A massive crowd stretched from Kim Ma to Lieu Giai, filling the overpass area. After the long march, the soldiers relaxed, interacted with the public, and laughed at jokes. Photo: Tung Dinh - Thanh Tung

Around 9 p.m., the police formations reached Hanoi Railway Station, where thousands awaited. The photo shows the Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention officer formation led by the Mobile Police Command. Amidst the cheering, the formation paused several times to make heart gestures. This was one of the final stops of the rehearsal. Photo: Luu Quy

Trang Tien Street was packed as the parade passed through. The rehearsal concluded at 10 p.m. Photo: Thanh Tung

The general rehearsal is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. on 30/8. The official National Day parade will take place from 6:30 a.m. to around 10 a.m. on 2/9 at Ba Dinh Square.

Reporting team