Rising at 5 a.m. to witness preparations for the National Day parade and moving between various national music events has been the way Trinh Phuong and many others have spent the past two months.

A 27-year-old from Hanoi started following the
pageant rehearsals
hosted at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in late June.

Each Wednesday, she would wake up at 5 a.m. and drive almost 40 kilometers from her apartment in Cau Giay District to support and encourage the troops.

“Experiencing the soldiers’ practice live rather than through television is worthwhile, even if it means traveling long distances and waking up early,” she states.

Twenty-seven-year-old Trinh Phuong from Hanoi didn’t skip any events leading up to the 80th Anniversary of the National Day on September 2, 2025. Image provided by Trinh Phuong

For the following month, she followed a schedule where she traveled to the practice location in Son Tay Ward every morning and returned to her job in the afternoon. During weekends, she invited friends to bring beverages and fruits to the soldiers who were practicing.

Starting from early August, Phuong began making trips to the city center as official celebrations for the 80th Anniversary of the National Day commenced. She visited Ba Dinh Square to observe military aircraft and helicopters during patrol missions and dressed in an ao dai to capture photographs at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

One week later, she obtained tickets for three significant musical events. She spent almost VND 1 million (US$40) for the “To Quoc Trong Tim” (Nation In My Heart) concert held at My Dinh Stadium on August 10th. That same morning, she also participated in the parade and martial arts displays at Ho Guom as part of the “Ngay Hoi Vi Thu Do Binh Yen” (For A Peaceful Capital) celebration.

I had the feeling of racing against time to ensure I didn’t skip any event.

She has participated in almost 10 different programs, including the “Ha Noi – Tu Mua Thu Lich Su” (Hanoi – From The Historical Autumn) concert on August 15, and “Tu Hao La Nguoi Viet Nam” (Proud To Be Vietnamese) on August 17.

Remaining events include a recreation of the Proclamation of Independence on August 19 and dress rehearsals for parades throughout the city from August 21 to 31.

She discovers information regarding future events through social media and Hanoi’s recently introduced “A80 – Tu Hao Viet Nam” (A80 – Proud Vietnam) website.

Here is how young people express their affection for their nation and grasp its past.

Twenty-two-year-old Nguyen Thuy Linh (far right), along with her younger sibling Ngoc Bich, pose for pictures with military personnel following their practice session at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture on the morning of July 2, 2025. Image courtesy of VnExpress/ Quynh Nguyen.

Thirty-five-year-old Kim Nhung from Hanoi has also experienced a hectic summer because of the National Day holiday: her six-year-old son wished to see the soldiers, so she has been taking him weekly from Hanoi to the practice site for the last two months.

As more festivities started in early August, she signed up for tickets for everyone in the family. Recently, they went to the “Duoi Co Vinh Quang” (Under The Glorious Flag) cultural event at Ba Dinh Square.

She intends to bring her son to the “Tro Ve Thoi Khac Thieng Lieng” (Return To The Sacred Moment) exhibit hosted by the radio station Voice of Vietnam.

It’s an uncommon opportunity for us to revisit the historical day of September 2, 1945, and assist him in grasping the significance of freedom.

She has stepped away from work starting August 27 so her family of four can go to Hanoi without missing the events preceding the festivities. “I hope my family can experience all of it.”

An investigation by VnExpress revealed that interest in attending events started at the end of June, with many people traveling to Son Tay to
watch the soldiers rehearse
The number of attendees reached its highest point in early August, coinciding with a sequence of cultural and artistic activities taking place in public areas across Hanoi, including Hoan Kiem Lake, My Dinh Stadium, and Ba Dinh Square.

The event “To Quoc Trong Tim” saw ticket registration close immediately after it opened on July 31, with all 50,000 seats at My Dinh Stadium sold out in under ten minutes. The performance titled “Tu Hao La Nguoi Viet Nam,” held on August 17, attracted tens of thousands of attendees as well.

Numerous organizations have emerged on online platforms to distribute advice for securing tickets, trade them, and participate in gatherings as a group.

Thousands of individuals dressed in red-and-gold striped attire gathered to express their national pride and joined in song during the “To Quoc Trong Tim” concert held at My Dinh Stadium on August 10, 2025. Image courtesy of VnExpress/Giang Huy

Professor Tran Thanh Nam, deputy head of the University of Education at Vietnam National University in Hanoi, states that the method of teaching patriotism has evolved. Rather than depending solely on textbooks, pupils today acquire an understanding of historical values via practical experiences like cultural activities, movies, online tools, and community service.

We observe the national spirit and love for the country being conveyed through significant occasions like Reunification Day on April 30th and National Day on September 2nd.

This is similar to how the national soccer team performs overseas.

He claims that participating in such events fulfills individuals’ desire to be part of a group and experience shared honor.

For Phuong, the two-month continuous series of events is not yet finished; she has purchased bus tickets for five relatives traveling from Nghe An to Hanoi to see the parade and has also secured a hotel near the procession path.

“Her parents at home are also getting ready with ao dai and red-and-gold star-shirts to participate in the festivities,” she adds.