On the morning of 2/9, Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi became the focal point of a national celebration as Vietnam marked 80 years of independence with its largest military parade in decades. Tens of thousands of people from across the country flocked to the capital, lining the streets from early morning to witness the procession of troops and military hardware. Present on the reviewing stand, alongside Party and State leaders and international guests, were Vietnam Hero Mothers, wounded veterans, families of those who have made contributions to the nation, and many generals and former soldiers.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Duc Soat, former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, was given the honor of lighting the traditional flame to open the event. He shared that it was a great source of pride, as the flame symbolizes the nation's indomitable fighting spirit, its yearning for independence, and its enduring vitality over 80 years of building and defending the country.

Major General Nguyen Hong Quan, former Deputy Director of the Institute for Defence Strategy, affirmed that the parade evoked national pride and awakened collective memory: from a nation under colonial rule before the August Revolution, Vietnam has risen to achieve independence, affirm its position, and gain global recognition. "I am deeply moved by the growth of the country, the unity of the people, and the professionalism of the army and police," he said.

According to Quan, the parade was not just a display of military might, but also a profound tribute to previous generations who sacrificed their lives for national independence. In almost every Vietnamese family, someone has made sacrifices for the country, and this event connected that memory with the present, thereby spreading faith and reinforcing national pride.

Lieutenant General, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyen Duc Soat lights the traditional flame. Photo: QDND

Lieutenant General, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyen Duc Soat lights the traditional flame. Photo: QDND

Self-reliance in defense equipment

Nguyen The Phuong, a PhD candidate in Maritime Security and Naval Studies at the Australian Defence Force Academy (part of the University of New South Wales in Canberra), noted two special features of this parade. It was Vietnam's first parade showcasing domestically produced military equipment in 40 years and demonstrated the capabilities of the domestic defense industry through the introduction of various weapons and equipment manufactured, upgraded, and improved within the country.

"The display of military strength was only one part of the event. The army demonstrated its comprehensive presence in all four combat environments: army, navy, air force, and electronic warfare," Phuong said.

According to Phuong, a significant milestone of the 80th anniversary celebration was the first-ever naval parade, affirming the growth of the Vietnam People's Navy after 70 years of development. The formation of command ships, submarines, guided-missile frigates, gunboats, fast attack craft, along with maritime patrol aircraft, anti-submarine helicopters, coast guard, and border guard forces, showcased Vietnam’s ability to protect its national interests at sea.

"Made in Vietnam" equipment such as the XCB-01 armored personnel carrier, the XTC-02 infantry fighting vehicle, the upgraded T-55BV tank, and the coastal missile system made their first public appearance in a unified formation. Phuong believes that in the complex international context, enhancing strategic autonomy in defense production is the right step, enabling Vietnam to be more proactive in the face of supply chain disruptions and geopolitical risks.

Formation of UAVs produced by Vietnam. Video: VTV

Major General Nguyen Hong Quan highlighted the army's transition from wartime experience to a professional, elite, and modern force. He emphasized that besides equipment used in past wars, such as the T-54 and T-62 tanks, Vietnam also displayed modern weapons including the T-90S tank, Su-30MK2 fighter jets, Mi-171 helicopters, Yak-130 training aircraft, and various domestically developed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This is a "remarkable step forward," contributing to the people's confidence.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Duc Soat believes that the parade clearly reflects the level of self-reliance and development capabilities of Vietnam's defense industry. Independently researching, producing, and improving military equipment is not just about cost savings, but also a strategy to reduce external dependence and ensure the maintenance of combat capabilities in all situations.

International assessments have also acknowledged this trend. Jane's Defence Weekly, a leading global defense magazine based in the UK, noted that Vietnam showcased a range of domestically developed equipment such as the XTC-02 armored personnel carrier (APC), the XCB-01 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), the Truong Son VCS-01 coastal defense missile system, and the VU-C2 cruise missile.

The introduction of self-developed defense equipment aligns with the direction outlined in the 2019 White Paper on National Defence: modernizing the armed forces and reducing dependence on external supply sources. This display reflects the progress Vietnam has made in the past decade in investing in and enhancing its defense industry capabilities – a long-prioritized task that has been strongly promoted since the release of the 2019 White Paper.

The import substitution strategy is also linked to broader economic growth goals while ensuring the Vietnam People's Army is well-equipped. This is essential for strengthening ground combat capabilities and firmly protecting national territory.

Su-30MK2 releases flares over Hanoi. Photo: Giang Huy

Su-30MK2 releases flares over Hanoi. Photo: Giang Huy

Reuters considered it the largest parade in decades, featuring advanced equipment like Mi-171 helicopters, Su-30MK2 fighter jets, and domestic drones. AFP reported the participation of about 40,000 military personnel and civilians, breaking the record of 30,000 in 1985. The Associated Press (AP) was impressed by the naval parade off Cam Ranh Bay involving warships, submarines, helicopters, and seaplanes. Bloomberg noted that Vietnam not only showcased equipment used in past wars, but also new weapons such as cruise missiles, air defense systems, and domestically developed military communication systems.

The power of the people

If self-reliance in defense equipment is a hard pillar of Vietnam's strength, the power of the people is a soft pillar. Major General Nguyen Hong Quan believes that few places in the world demonstrate the role of the people in a military parade as clearly as in Vietnam. People are not merely spectators; they are willing to stay up all night with soldiers, filling the streets, waiting and cheering for each passing unit and piece of equipment.

"That is the source of the nation's strength throughout thousands of years of building and defending the country. The parade is an opportunity for Vietnam to affirm the close bond between the army and the people, and the unity of the entire population in the cause of national construction and defense," said General Nguyen Hong Quan. He also affirmed that "Vietnam's inner strength is like a wave ready to overwhelm any obstacles, any threats to security and territorial sovereignty."

Soldiers march amidst cheering crowds on Van Cao Street, Ba Dinh ward. Photo: Luu Quy

Soldiers march amidst cheering crowds on Van Cao Street, Ba Dinh ward. Photo: Luu Quy

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Huy Hieu, former Deputy Minister of National Defence, considered this the largest parade in history, organized professionally and with absolute safety. The power of the people was fully demonstrated, creating momentum and spreading faith throughout the country. He called it a "wonderful, flawless" event.

He emphasized that the Vietnam People's Army "comes from the people, fights for the people, and belongs to the people," so it always enjoys the people's "trust, love, and support." When a "bastion of faith" has been established in the hearts of the people, "no force can invade, no force can defeat Vietnam."

Lieutenant General Nguyen Duc Soat, who piloted aircraft in the 1969 and 1975 parades, assessed the pilots' performance this time as "skillful and professional," reflecting the remarkable growth of the Vietnam People's Air Force over many decades. He expressed his hope that in the future, the air force will be equipped with more modern aircraft to meet the requirements of national defense in the new situation.

Naval parade formation at Cam Ranh Military Port, Khanh Hoa. Video: VTV

PhD candidate Nguyen The Phuong believes that the parade celebrating the 80th National Day sends a dual message. To the Vietnamese people, it is a firm affirmation of the country's ability to protect its sovereignty in the context of rapidly changing military technology. To the international community, it is a message about Vietnam's defense and deterrence capabilities – a peace-loving nation but capable of self-defense.

SwissInfo, a Swiss news site, assessed that the parade not only demonstrated military strength but also testified to Vietnam's journey of building and defending the country through many challenges. It is also a message about the will and enduring vitality of the Vietnamese people.

Permanent Member of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu affirmed that the success of the 80th National Day celebrations has ignited national pride and spread Vietnam's aspiration for independence, freedom, and peace to international friends.

Vu Tuan - Thanh Danh - Ngoc Anh - Son Ha