After two hours parading through Ba Dinh Square and the capital's central streets, the army, police, and foreign military contingents gathered at various locations, including Quan Ngua Sports Palace, Tran Khanh Du - Hong Ha Street near August Revolution Square, and Thong Nhat Park. Hurried embraces and poignant farewells took place before the soldiers returned to their accommodations in Mieu Mon, Son Tay, and Hoa Lac.

The "female guerrillas" bid farewell to Hanoi residents after two months of training, traveling from the south to the north. Photo: Duc Dong

Female militia members from Vietnam's diverse ethnic groups wept in the arms of their loved ones. Preparing for the A80 mission, these service members endured over 100 days of training, braving sun and rain on the parade ground.

Some groups began training in late April. Service members from southern Vietnam arrived in the north for training in early June, experiencing the north's challenging weather conditions. They completed their mission and departed Hanoi on an early autumn day, amidst the poignant emotions of millions.

Photo: Duc Dong

An army officer greets family members at the back gate of Quan Ngua Palace, the assembly point for several contingents, including the navy, air defense-air force, medical corps, and army. Photo: Hoang Giang

Tran Thi Nhung waited for her son, soldier Tran Dinh Duc, as he marched with his navy comrades through the streets. "I'm proud to see my son contribute to the nation," she said. Photo: Thanh Tung

A navy band member playfully interacts with two children on Lieu Giai Street. Photo: Thanh Tung

Hanoi buzzed with excitement during the last 10 days of August and early September as people lined the streets around Ba Dinh Square, eagerly awaiting the parade. They attended two rehearsals, the dress rehearsal, and the main event. Some waited for over a day, eating and sleeping on the sidewalks, "but their hearts were filled with joy" for a parade that occurs only every few years. Photo: Thanh Tung

People wave to the engineer corps, the "pathfinders of victory" during wartime and pioneers in bridge building and road construction today. Photo: Duc Dong

Military police, the guardians of order within the army, shake hands and bid farewell to people lining Tran Khanh Du Street as they lead their contingent back to their designated area. Photo: Tran Quynh

Members of the honor guard of the 154th Preobrazhensky Independent Commandant's Regiment, representing the armed forces of the Russian Federation, connect with Vietnamese people on the street. Photo: Tran Quynh

Soldiers from the Chinese People's Liberation Army honor guard wave to Vietnamese people on Hong Ha Street. 120 service members arrived in Hanoi on 29/8 and participated in the dress rehearsal two days prior. This year, representatives of the Chinese army participated in two parades in Vietnam, on 30/4 in Ho Chi Minh City and on National Day, 2/9, at the invitation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense. Photo: Tran Quynh

Members of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces wave to people on the street. The 120-member contingent arrived in Vietnam on 15/8 and trained at the Mieu Mon National Training Center. In 2025, representatives of the Cambodian Army participated in two Vietnamese parades: on 30/4 in Ho Chi Minh City and on 2/9 in Hanoi. Photo: Tran Quynh

A heartfelt exchange with the "brothers" from Laos, who stood shoulder to shoulder with Vietnam during wartime and continue to enjoy a strong relationship. Photo: Tran Quynh

Members of the Ministry of Public Security's peacekeeping police offer hasty farewells written on cardboard: "Goodbye Hanoi," "Best wishes to Hanoi 8386."

Reporting team