Vietnam military might on display for National Day

Vietnam marked its 70th National Day with a massive parade Wednesday (Sep 2) in the capital Hanoi, featuring thousands of troops and civilians from all walks of life.

After months of practicing, more than 30,000 people marched in a military and civilian parade at Ba Dinh Square where 70 years ago Vietnam’s founding father Ho Chi Minh declared independence for the nation.

The parade theme was “promoting the strength of the entire nation, being determined to build and firmly defend the Socialist Republic of Vietnam”.

The military troops, led by Lieutenant General Vo Van Tuan, deputy chief of the general staff of the People’s Army, included army, public security officers and militias. No missiles or armoured vehicles were involved.

‘’The country is still having a hard time, it’s better to save money as a big military and civilian parade already costs too much’’, he told local media.

In a 20-minute speech, Vietnam President Truong Tan Sang highlighted the country’s transformation from a poor and underdeveloped to a middle-income country with socio-political stability and expanding diplomatic relations.

He also addressed the challenges that Vietnam is facing, including "the war, ethnic and religion conflicts, territorial disputes, especially the escalating islands disputes in the South China Sea”.

National Day was also witnessed by the country's top leaders including its Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong. Lao and Cambodian high-level delegations were also present at the event, which while broadcast live nationwide, was fenced off from the public.

Vehicles were not allowed to enter 40 major streets in Hanoi from 9pm on Tuesday. Local residents however, were given the opportunity to watch the parade on more than a dozen 15-inch LED screens positioned on major streets.