Following a heavy downpour on the evening of 29/8, people began flocking to Le Duan Street near Hanoi Railway Station. Within hours, the waiting areas in front of the station were full, mainly families taking turns holding their spots. While the station's waiting room typically closes after 11 p.m. following the last train, it remained open all night on 29/8 to accommodate people waiting for the parade. Inside, there are two restrooms, fans, and air conditioning, but many people chose to stay outside, spreading mats and securing their viewing spots.

Dang Hien, from Quang Phu Cau village, arrived at Hanoi Railway Station with her 14 family members at noon on 29/8. They left home at 12 p.m., arriving at the station at 2 p.m. Without even stopping at their rented rooms, they rushed to secure their viewing spots. All 14 family members wore matching red and gold star outfits and brought large suitcases packed with supplies to camp out from the night of 29/8 until 2/9.

Hien and her large suitcase, prepared for two nights of camping to watch the rehearsal and the official parade. Photo: Tu Nguyen

Hien and her large suitcase, prepared for two nights of camping to watch the rehearsal and the official parade. Photo: Tu Nguyen

With the rehearsal so close to the main event on 2/9, Hien's family rented 10 rooms near the station for 500,000 VND each, taking turns resting.

"The younger ones hold the spots, the older ones go back to the rooms. It’s tiring, but our patriotic spirit keeps us going. Being out here is so exciting that we forget all about the tiredness," Hien said, adding that her family hasn't missed a single rehearsal in the past month, changing their viewing location each day. Hien fondly recalled the rehearsal on 27/8, when it rained heavily all day, but her family was already on Tran Phu Street by 5 a.m., securing a prime spot.

Hien's family wearing matching red and gold star outfits. Photo: Tu Nguyen

Hien's family wearing matching red and gold star outfits. Photo: Tu Nguyen

She said that on the morning of 2/9, about 30 people from Quang Phu Cau, including friends and relatives, will join them on Le Duan Street. "To get the best view, you have to be at the Tran Phu intersection. My family has seen it from every angle, so we chose this spot," she shared.

The Le Truc - Tran Phu area was also packed with people and tourists securing spots for the rehearsal under light rain. Hoang Thi Van (wearing black) and nearly 30 of her family members from the former Chuong My district arrived at 7 a.m. They brought pots, lids, blankets, and a speaker for singing and were prepared to stay overnight.

"Real fans aren't afraid of the rain," she laughed as the drizzle continued.

Her family attended all three previous rehearsals, choosing Tran Phu Street because it's a main route for the parade. She said that despite the rain, their spirits remained high.

Hoang Thi Van and her 30 family members camped out overnight on Tran Phu Street to watch the parade. Photo: Le Thanh Hang

Hoang Thi Van and her 30 family members camped out overnight on Tran Phu Street to watch the parade. Photo: Le Thanh Hang

Phan Thi Thuy, from Phu Tho, started queuing for a spot at 5 a.m. This is her second time coming to Hanoi with 15 female family members to experience what she calls the "national concert." The light rain didn't dampen her enthusiasm. She continuously cheered, waved flags, and sang along with strangers around her.

"The soldiers have trained so hard for this important event; a little discomfort is nothing," she said.

7-year-old Hoang Dang Khanh, a primary school student from Gia Cam (Phu Tho), came to Hanoi with his mother at noon, but by late evening, they still hadn't found a place to sit. The boy, holding an umbrella, sat in the rain at the Trang Tien – Dinh Tien Hoang intersection, waiting for the crowd to thin out before continuing his search for a spot with his mother. By 10:20 p.m., the crowd around Hoan Kiem Lake had thinned out, mostly consisting of people unable to find their way out due to road closures. Others dispersed along the parade route to look for spots.

Not only locals but also international tourists were caught up in the excitement leading up to National Day. Rudolph, a German tourist staying at a hotel a 10-minute walk from Hanoi Railway Station, said he had been in the capital for five days and had heard about the parade. He planned to watch it on the morning of 30/8 but hadn't intended to stay overnight like the others. He planned to return to his hotel and come back at 5 a.m. Upon hearing that "only those who stay overnight have a chance," Rudolph was somewhat disappointed but decided to try his luck in the morning.

He was astonished to see thousands of people spreading mats and sleeping on the sidewalks, waiting for the parade.

Rudolph was impressed by the sight of people camping out overnight at Hanoi Railway Station to watch the parade. Photo: Tu Nguyen

Rudolph was impressed by the sight of people camping out overnight at Hanoi Railway Station to watch the parade. Photo: Tu Nguyen

"I couldn't believe my eyes. The Vietnamese people's national spirit is truly impressive. I've never seen such enthusiasm, not even during National Day celebrations in Germany," he expressed.

The National Day parade rehearsal took place at 6:30 a.m. on 30/8 at Ba Dinh Square, commemorating 80 years of National Day. It featured a full contingent of forces, including ground troops, motorized units, air and naval forces. The parade included approximately 16,000 participants, comprising 43 marching blocks, 18 stationary blocks, and 14 blocks of military artillery and special forces vehicles from the Army and Police.

Pham Van Tam, from Xuan Dinh, with a national flag draped over his shoulder, plays the drum to stir up the atmosphere on Tran Phu Street. Video: Thanh Hang

Reporting team