 |
The 33-member honor guard is divided into groups representing various branches of the Russian Armed Forces. The leading soldiers carry the Russian Federation flag, followed by the Army flag, the Air Force and Aerospace Forces flag, and finally, the Navy flag.(Photo: Hoang Phuong) |
 |
Russian soldiers practice for the Vietnamese parade. (Video: Hoang Phuong - Nguyen Tien) |
One week before Vietnam's National Day, 33 honor guards from the 154th Preobrazhensky Regiment continued training at the Viettel Academy. The delegation arrived in Vietnam on 20/8 and participated in two combined rehearsals on the evenings of 21/8 and 24/8 at Ba Dinh Square. Due to Typhoon Kajiki and heavy rain in Hanoi, the practice moved from outdoors to the academy's indoor multi-purpose gymnasium.
The 154th Preobrazhensky Regiment is a ceremonial unit serving in Russian military ceremonies. Its honor guard carries the Banner of Victory in parades at Red Square in Moscow. The unit was established in December 1979 by merging the 99th Command Battalion and the 1st Independent Honor Guard Company of the Soviet Armed Forces General Staff. Russian President Vladimir Putin decreed the name Preobrazhensky for the 154th Regiment in April 2013.
 |
The delegation practices twice daily, each session lasting two to three hours depending on weather conditions. The honor guard members are all over 1.8 meters tall, with the color guard carrying the Russian Federation flag standing at 1.9 meters.(Photo: Hoang Phuong) |
The 33-member honor guard is divided into groups representing various branches of the Russian Armed Forces. The leading soldiers carry the Russian Federation flag, followed by the Army flag, the Air Force and Aerospace Forces flag, and finally, the Navy flag.(Photo: Hoang Phuong)
 |
Soldiers with rifles maintain formation uniformity. The SKS rifles, provided by the Vietnam Ministry of National Defense's General Department of Armaments, have been adjusted to accommodate the Russian delegation's drill movements and requirements.(Photo: Hoang Phuong) |
 |
Lieutenant Mikhailov Anton Vlandimirovich, the unit leader, adjusts each movement for the soldiers.(Photo: Hoang Phuong) |
The delegation practices twice daily, each session lasting two to three hours depending on weather conditions. The honor guard members are all over 1.8 meters tall, with the color guard carrying the Russian Federation flag standing at 1.9 meters.(Photo: Hoang Phuong)
 |
Soldiers representing the Russian Army. Vietnam's hot, humid, and rainy climate doesn't pose significant challenges for the soldiers from a colder region. They adapt quickly and maintain high discipline in training and extracurricular activities. After each session, they have access to the Viettel Academy's swimming pool, gym, and sports fields.(Photo: Hoang Phuong) |
The color guard includes the flag bearer and two guards. The guards carry swords, but during practice, they perform simulated movements and will carry real swords on the day of the ceremony.
The entire unit wears regular uniforms during practice and will wear designated ceremonial uniforms for the September 2nd National Day parade.
 |
Marching to Vietnamese music, the 33 soldiers practice drills, reducing their pace from the standard Russian 120 steps per minute to approximately 102 steps.(Photo: Hoang Phuong) |
Soldiers maintain precise footwork while executing drill movements.
Russia's 154th Preobrazhensky Regiment comprises two command battalions, one honor guard battalion, two military bands, a special forces company, a motorized company, and a military police company. They represent the Russian military in international events and ceremonies.
 |
The parade movements are identical to the Russian Army's standard drills.(Photo: Hoang Phuong) |
Soldiers with rifles maintain formation uniformity. The SKS rifles, provided by the Vietnam Ministry of National Defense's General Department of Armaments, have been adjusted to accommodate the Russian delegation's drill movements and requirements.(Photo: Hoang Phuong)
 |
Lieutenant Mikhailov Anton Vlandimirovich, the unit leader, adjusts each movement for the soldiers.(Photo: Hoang Phuong)
 |
Soldiers representing the Russian Army. Vietnam's hot, humid, and rainy climate doesn't pose significant challenges for the soldiers from a colder region. They adapt quickly and maintain high discipline in training and extracurricular activities. After each session, they have access to the Viettel Academy's swimming pool, gym, and sports fields.(Photo: Hoang Phuong)
 |
Marching to Vietnamese music, the 33 soldiers practice drills, reducing their pace from the standard Russian 120 steps per minute to approximately 102 steps.(Photo: Hoang Phuong)
 |
The parade movements are identical to the Russian Army's standard drills.(Photo: Hoang Phuong)
 |
After training, the unit has a light meal before their main course. The daily menu for the international soldiers, selected by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Logistics, includes both Asian and European dishes. The menu is adjusted to the guests' preferences. Vietnam ensures the same standards and quantity of food for the Lao, Cambodian, and Chinese delegations, with adjustments to suit each country's cuisine and culture. The Military Institute of Preventive Medicine oversees food safety, from initial inspection and rapid testing to monitoring the preparation process and sample retention. Vietnamese military medical staff provide healthcare for the delegations throughout the rehearsals, preliminary review, general rehearsal, and the main ceremony.
While their comrades rest, a group of honor guards keeps the flags upright. The soldiers take turns holding the flags.
 |
Sergeant Galkin Maksim Andreevich, the flag bearer for the Air Force and Aerospace Forces, became a social media sensation in Vietnam after his friendly smile and wink during the first combined rehearsal on the evening of 21/8.
The Vietnam Ministry of National Defense invited four foreign military delegations to participate in the 80th National Day parade: Russia, China, Laos, and Cambodia. The Chinese delegation will arrive in the next few days, while the other three arrived between 15/8 and 20/8, having already participated in two combined night rehearsals at Ba Dinh Square. The preliminary review is scheduled for 8 p.m. on 27/8, and the general rehearsal for 6:30 a.m. on 30/8. The parade celebrating the 80th National Day on 2/9 will take place at Ba Dinh Square and along central Hanoi streets.
Giang Huy - Hoang Phuong
