Vietnamese veteran Hoai Duc Vong, 92, waits to watch a parade marking Vietnam's 80th National Day anniversary, at a street in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 2, 2025. The spectacle has drawn crowds that camped overnight. - Pool via Reuters
HANOI: As China draws the world’s attention this week with its grand military parade, Vietnam is holding its own historic event to show that its armed forces and defence industry are trying to march toward self reliance.
In Hanoi, more than 16,000 troops have been drilling for weeks ahead of the country’s 80th National Day. The spectacle has drawn crowds that camped overnight for a glimpse of soldiers flashing heart-shaped hand gestures and other light touches for a parade choreographed to build pride in the Communist Party.
