Following the ceremonial artillery fire at My Dinh Stadium, around 7 a.m., a formation of Mi-171, Mi-17, and Mi-8 helicopters carrying the national and communist party flags headed towards Ba Dinh Square. They were followed by CASA C-295M and C-212 transport aircraft, specialized for reconnaissance, transport, and search and rescue. Next came a formation of Yak-130, L-39NG, and Su-30MK2 aircraft.

Simultaneously, the parade commenced. Photo: Duc Dong

The Su-30MK2 formation flew over Ba Dinh Square, releasing flares.

Flares are part of an active defense system designed to protect aircraft from infrared-guided anti-aircraft missiles. They are mounted on the tail of the Su-30MK2 fighter jet. Photo: Giang Huy

A Su-30MK2 flies past the Hanoi Flag Tower, releasing flares. This was the first time fighter jets released flares in the heart of the capital. Following the fighter jets, a formation of Yak-130s also soared through the sky, releasing chaff. Photo: Vo Thanh - Ngoc Thanh

In Ba Dinh Square, over 16,300 military personnel, along with military artillery vehicles and specialized police vehicles, paraded past the reviewing stand, then dispersed onto eight different streets, cheered on by enthusiastic crowds. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

The synchronized formation of the Armored Corps soldiers.

The Armored Corps is a combat arm and a key assault force of the Vietnam People's Army. The corps was formed in 1959 with the establishment of the first tank regiment (202nd Tank Regiment). It later expanded to include numerous tank regiments and battalions, participating in various campaigns and battles in the southern battlefield. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

120 Chinese military personnel participated in the parade in Ba Dinh Square for the first time, a day after arriving in Hanoi.

On April 30th, a delegation of 118 Chinese military personnel came to Vietnam to participate in the 50th anniversary of national reunification parade. Photo: Thanh Tung - Duc Dong

Over 30 Russian military personnel marched past the reviewing stand. 10 days prior, they arrived at Noi Bai International Airport at the invitation of the Ministry of National Defense. Photo: Duc Dong

Along with thousands of military personnel, advanced equipment was paraded past the reviewing stand and then dispersed onto Hanoi's streets. This included missiles, UAVs, and armored vehicles researched, manufactured, or modernized by Vietnam. Pictured is a combat vehicle belonging to the Truong Son coastal missile complex and a line of upgraded T-54B, T-55, and T-90SK tanks (latter photo). Photo: Ngoc Thanh

The intersection of Trang Tien and Tran Quang Khai streets was packed with people welcoming the parading troops. Photo: Hoang Anh

Border Guard troops marched under a poster of President Ho Chi Minh on Trang Tien Street, amidst the cheers and encouragement of thousands of people lining the sidewalks. Photo: Quynh Tran

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces paraded on Trang Tien Street. Photo: Quynh Tran

Equipment from the Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Public Security paraded through the intersection of Nguyen Tri Phuong and Dien Bien Phu streets. Pictured is a Scud-B missile transporter erector launcher. Photo: Vo Thanh

Police officers marched past Hanoi Railway Station, where thousands of people were waiting. Pictured is the Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention unit. Photo: Pham Du

The Engineering Corps waved to the crowds on Trang Tien Street. This force, "first in, last out," in addition to training and combat readiness, is responsible for mine clearance, constructing defensive works, opening border patrol routes, building bridges over streams, and responding to natural disasters and floods. Photo: Quynh Tran

People packed both sides of Kim Ma Street, continuously cheering and encouraging the parade. Photo: Hieu Luong

People crowded both sides of Ngoc Ha Street, interacting with the parading forces. Many young women gave gifts, and the soldiers also handed out small gifts to children along the route. Photo: Thanh Tung

Young Hoang Quan, attending the parade with his grandmother, hugged and kissed a UN Peacekeeping Police officer. Photo: Thanh Tung

Quan Ngua Sports Complex served as the assembly point for many units. From 5-6 a.m., family and friends waited at the back gate, hoping to see their loved ones after the parade.

Soldier Tong Thi Thu Ha, from the Saigon Special Forces female unit, was emotional upon reuniting with her mother and family. Mrs. Ly Thi Luong said the whole family traveled from Thanh Hoa to Hanoi the previous afternoon to see her daughter. "Ha has been away from home since the parade commemorating the Liberation of South Vietnam, so I miss her very much. Even a few minutes is enough," she said, unable to hold back tears as she embraced her daughter in uniform. Photo: Thanh Hang

Reporting team