VI
EN
From the night of August 29th, many people began gathering along Le Duan Street to watch the A80 dress rehearsal on August 30th. Despite a sudden downpour, the excitement remained undiminished. Groups of people patiently sat together, sheltering under umbrellas and wearing raincoats; many even brought mats and tarpaulins to spread on the sidewalk. While waiting, they chatted and sang together to forget the long night of waiting.
The intersection of Le Duan - Hai Ba Trung - Cua Nam - Nguyen Khuyen streets.
In the dead of night, on tarpaulins spread along the sidewalk, many people took the opportunity to lie down and rest after a long wait. Some leaned against the railing, closing their eyes to relax, while others used their backpacks as pillows, trying to snatch a few moments of sleep amidst the bustling atmosphere. A group of young people brought along a set of board games, playing to forget the long wait. Others took the opportunity to call and chat with relatives. Every time a convoy of vehicles passed by, everyone simultaneously looked up, watching with eager eyes, as if given renewed energy to continue waiting until morning.
People spread out tarpaulins, put on raincoats, and sat waiting in the night rain.
Some young people took advantage of the time to take photos and videos, counting down the minutes until the parade began. Others sat chatting animatedly, their eyes still fixed on the road ahead, not wanting to miss a single moment as the convoys sped past. The blue light from their phone screens reflected on faces that were both excited and slightly tired after a long, sleepless night…
Along Le Duan Street, many residents opened their doors and stood on their balconies, waiting for the marching contingents to pass by. On both sides of the sidewalk, everyone gazed ahead, eagerly anticipating the official dress rehearsal.
Amidst the waiting crowd on Le Duan Street, two veteran soldiers in their neat uniforms walked by. When the two veterans waved, the people responded with applause and cheers, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere.
As the official dress rehearsal began, the cheers of the people echoed from afar. Along the main road, rows of soldiers in neat uniforms marched in, their footsteps precise and decisive, creating a vibrant atmosphere with each step.
People on both sides of the street simultaneously stood up, many raising their phones to record the event, and the cheers and shouts of encouragement resounded incessantly.Despite having to wait in the sun, many people's faces still radiated excitement and pride.
The synchronized footsteps of the police officers created a vibrant atmosphere, filling the entire street with life. People looked up, cheers erupting, erasing the distance between the officers and the citizens, leaving only a shared sense of pride spreading throughout Le Duan Street.
Some soldiers had radiant eyes and bright smiles that illuminated the entire frame; others maintained serious expressions, exuding discipline. These seemingly contrasting expressions blended together in a rhythm, reflecting the spirit of discipline and shared pride of the dress rehearsal.
As the final processions passed, the echoes lingered. Many looked up, raising their phones to record, as if wanting to hold onto that special moment. The dress rehearsal was not only preparation for the big day, but also an opportunity for pride and the bond between the military and the people to be rekindled once again in the heart of Hanoi.
