Striking images from the A80 grand celebration

Modern military equipment on land and sea, fighter jets performing maneuvers and releasing flares, and veterans in wheelchairs waving flags at the parade were among the most memorable images from the A80 celebration.

The A80 celebration produced many striking images.

Modern military equipment displayed on land and sea, fighter jets performing maneuvers while releasing flares, and veterans in wheelchairs waving flags to greet the parade were among the highlights of the A80 celebration.

A sea of people attended the 80th National Day celebration at Ba Dinh Square, on the morning of 2/9. Over 16,000 military personnel from the Navy, Army, Air Force, along with mechanized units and military equipment, participated in the air, sea, and ground parade. Photo: Thanh Hai

A formation of Su-30MK2 fighter jets flew towards the Hanoi Flag Tower near Ba Dinh Square, releasing flares in celebration of the 80th National Day. Over 30 fighter jets and helicopters of the Vietnam People's Air Force flew in formation and performed maneuvers around the square. Photo: Vo Thanh

At Ba Dinh Square, over 16,300 military personnel and military vehicles, including artillery and specialized police vehicles, paraded past the grandstand, then dispersed onto eight different streets, cheered on enthusiastically by the public. This photo depicts Army units marching on Hung Vuong Street. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

A formation of Yak-130 and Su-30MK2 aircraft performed maneuvers over Ba Dinh Square, releasing flares.

Flares are a passive defense system designed to protect aircraft from infrared-guided missiles. The flare dispensers are mounted on the tail of the Su-30MK2 fighter jets. Photo: Giang Huy

Artillery soldiers on KamAZ-5350 multi-purpose trucks (manufactured in Russia) paraded past the grandstand. Photo: Thanh Tung

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Special forces paratroopers equipped with helmets and STV-215 rifles – the standard rifle of the Vietnam People's Army. Photo: Thanh Tung

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Along with the parade at Ba Dinh Square, on the morning of 2/9, numerous armed forces participated in a naval parade at Cam Ranh military base in Khanh Hoa Province.

The naval parade included a command ship, maritime patrol aircraft, anti-submarine helicopters, formations of submarines, guided missile frigates, anti-submarine corvettes, fast attack missile boats, and artillery ships of the Vietnam People's Navy. It also featured formations of Coast Guard vessels, Border Guard units, and standing maritime militia units, along with various other modern equipment and vehicles. These forces play a crucial role in managing and firmly protecting the nation's maritime sovereignty. Photo: Vietnam People's Navy

A contingent of female peacekeeping officers, representing Vietnam's "blue helmets." For over 10 years, Vietnam has sent thousands of military personnel to participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations in some of the world's most challenging areas, including South Sudan, Abyei, and the Central African Republic. Photo: Thanh Tung

Armored Tank soldiers, a crucial assault force of the Vietnam People's Army with a 66-year tradition of victory in every campaign. The formation carried their rifles in a slung position, maintaining consistent steps and salutes throughout the parade route. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Artillery soldiers on KamAZ-5350 multi-purpose trucks (manufactured in Russia) paraded past the grandstand. Photo: Thanh Tung

Over 30 Russian military personnel, rifles in hand, marched in unison past the grandstand. They arrived at Noi Bai Airport over 10 days prior, at the invitation of the Ministry of National Defence. Photo: Thanh Tung

Female signal corps members wearing combat helmets and carrying radio transceivers marched past the grandstand. Photo: Thanh Tung

After passing the grandstand at Ba Dinh Square, numerous army, police, and militia units moved through Kim Ma, Lieu Giai, and Van Cao streets to their assembly point at Quan Ngua Sports Palace. Photo: Hieu Luong

Special forces paratroopers equipped with helmets and STV-215 rifles – the standard rifle of the Vietnam People's Army. Photo: Thanh Tung

A veteran in a raincoat raised their hand to salute the parade on Trang Tien Street. In recent days, numerous veterans from across the country traveled to the capital, braving the rain and sun, to attend the National Day celebration. Photo: Quynh Tran

At the rehearsal on the evening of 27/8, another veteran in a wheelchair, holding a national flag sticker, cheered on the parade as it passed the Hanoi Opera House. Photo: Hieu Luong

Along with thousands of military personnel, much modern equipment paraded past the grandstand and then dispersed onto Hanoi's streets. This included missiles, UAVs, and armored vehicles that were either indigenously researched and produced by Vietnam or modernized. This photo shows the XCB-01 infantry fighting vehicle of the Armored Tank forces moving along Hung Vuong Street. This is a modern weapons system operated by a three-person crew (commander, driver, gunner) and capable of carrying eight additional infantry soldiers. It is designed to assault and destroy key enemy targets. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Engineering corps soldiers marching on Hung Vuong Street. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Tracked and wheeled vehicles lined Thanh Nien Road, along West Lake, awaiting the order to proceed to the grandstand at Ba Dinh Square on the morning of 2/9. The area was packed with people on both sides of the road, and security was tight. Photo: Nguyen Dong

Chinese military personnel marching on Ngoc Ha Street. Photo: Quynh Tran

Engineering corps soldiers waving to the public on Hong Ha Street. This force, which is always at the forefront and also provides rear support, is not only trained and combat-ready but also responsible for mine clearance, constructing defensive works, opening border patrol routes, building bridges over streams, and responding to natural disasters such as floods and storms. Photo: Quynh Tran

Tran Khanh Du Street, where military units assembled after passing August Revolution Square. Many emotional farewells took place before the soldiers returned to their accommodations in Mieu Mon, Son Tay, and Hoa Lac. This photo shows soldiers from the Chemical Warfare unit enjoying the care of their loved ones after the parade. Photo: Pham Chieu

Young Hoang Quan, who accompanied his grandmother to watch the parade, hugged a UN Peacekeeping Police officer during the parade rehearsal on the morning of 30/8. Photo: Thanh Tung

A female signal corps soldier hugged her friends goodbye before returning to her designated location on Tran Khanh Du Street. Photo: Pham Chieu

At the rehearsal on the evening of 27/8, another veteran in a wheelchair, holding a national flag sticker, cheered on the parade as it passed the Hanoi Opera House. Photo: Hieu Luong

Russian military personnel in civilian clothes bid farewell to the public. Photo: Quynh Tran

Male UN Peacekeeping Police officers from the Ministry of Public Security with hasty farewell messages written on cardboard: "Goodbye Hanoi," "Wishing Hanoi residents 8386" (the number 8386 symbolizes prosperity, luck, and success). Photo: Thanh Tung

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A column of T-54 tanks, along with the upgraded T-54B and T-55 versions, moved along Thanh Nien Road. These "steel fortresses," operated by 4-person crews, are equipped with cannons and anti-aircraft machine guns. From around 3:00 a.m., the convoy started their engines and headed towards the assembly point at Ba Dinh, creating a powerful sound amid the cheers of thousands of people lining the streets. Photo: Thanh Hang - Nguyen Dong Photo: Thanh Hang - Nguyen Dong

Young Hoang Quan, who accompanied his grandmother to watch the parade, hugged a UN Peacekeeping Police officer during the parade rehearsal on the morning of 30/8. Photo: Thanh Tung