The capital city of Hanoi is bustling with the atmosphere of the days preparing for the 80th Anniversary of National Day on September 2. The highlight of this important event is the grand parade, scheduled to take place on the morning of September 2, from 6:30 to about 10:00 at the historic Ba Dinh Square. However, to have a complete and memorable experience, it is extremely important to have a clear understanding of the information and the secrets to "hunting" for prime locations.
In order for the official parade to take place smoothly, the parade groups have been actively practicing. Hanoi residents and tourists can watch the magnificent rehearsals right in the square area and neighboring streets. The remaining rehearsal schedule has been specifically announced by the Organizing Committee, including: a preliminary rehearsal on the evening of August 27 and a general rehearsal on the morning of August 30. This is a great opportunity for people to admire the vibrant performance early without having to jostle too much on the official holiday.
The parade will start at Ba Dinh Square, after passing the podium, the groups will continue to move and separate along three main routes.
Route 1 turns right, follows the route Tran Phu - Kim Ma - Lieu Giai and ends at Van Cao Street.
Line 2 turns left, follows the route Nguyen Thai Hoc - Trang Thi - Trang Tien Street, stops at August Revolution Square.
Route 3 also turns left, following the route Nguyen Thai Hoc - Le Duan and ends at Thong Nhat Park. Knowing these routes will help visitors easily choose the right observation position.
In particular, to help everyone immerse themselves in the heroic atmosphere of the holiday, the Organizing Committee has arranged 270 LED screens and 400 loudspeakers along the streets, bringing a realistic and vivid experience as if they were present at Ba Dinh Square.
The "diamond positions" to watch the parade
According to the experience of those who have participated in previous parade events, to have an ideal observation position, going early is the key factor. Many people said that you must be present at least from midnight the night before, that is, at least 12 hours before the ceremony. If you arrive late, you will have to accept standing in positions further away, with a limited view. However, with long routes and a densely arranged system of screens and loudspeakers, visitors can still enjoy the festival atmosphere anywhere.
One of the locations that is considered as “diamond” is the Hung Vuong – Tran Phu intersection. Located near the main stage, from here, visitors can fully observe the parade passing by right from the first steps. Next, on Nguyen Thai Hoc street, the area near house number 143 towards Le Duan is where the groups begin to separate to move towards the assembly point, and this is also where visitors can witness the international parade passing by.
In addition, intersections such as Tran Phu - Nguyen Tri Phuong are also ideal places to admire Vietnam's modern military equipment. The Cua Nam - Trang Thi - Tho Nhuom area is also highly appreciated for its spacious space and clear view. For those who want to have beautiful photos, wide angle view, Hang Khay - Trang Tien route with spacious road surface is the right choice.
If you want to find a more open space for easy movement and sightseeing, the Kim Ma – Doi Can – Lieu Giai – Van Cao route is a reasonable choice. With wide sidewalks and some overpasses, these are the perfect viewing spots to admire the whole parade formation.
Finally, the area of August Revolution Square and the route from Hanoi Railway Station to Thong Nhat Park is where the parade groups gather after passing the stage, creating an opportunity for people to interact and take photos with the soldiers, an extremely memorable memory.
To have a safe and complete parade experience, visitors need to note some important points. Before the official holiday, it is necessary to monitor information about road closures to proactively move, avoiding having to walk too far. In case of road closures, urban train lines will be an effective solution. You can take the Yen Nghia - Cat Linh line and walk to the Nguyen Thai Hoc - Kim Ma axis, or take the Nhon - Thu Le Park line to access the Kim Ma axis or Thong Nhat Park.
When participating in the ceremony, strictly following the instructions of the authorities is a prerequisite to ensure security and order. Visitors should avoid bringing bulky or prohibited items so that the control process can take place quickly. Moreover, a cultural beauty that needs to be promoted is the spirit of giving way to veterans, the elderly and children. Finally, maintain public hygiene, do not litter to keep the streets of the capital clean and beautiful, worthy of the solemn and proud atmosphere of National Day.
