(VOVworld) – A meeting was held at Ba Dinh square on Wednesday to celebrate Vietnam’s 70th National Day on Septemnber 2. Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong, President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, National Assembly chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, war veterans, and Lao and Cambodian officials attended the meeting. The meeting began with a procession of a torch from the Ho Chi Minh Museum to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
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In his speech, President Truong Tan Sang said that 70 years ago, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese people created the historic August Revolution. On September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh read the Vietnamese Declaration of Independence to announce to the world an independent Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. President Sang said: “This was an important milestone in Vietnam’s history. The success of the August Revolution put an end to colonial rule and led to the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. From a semi-colonial country, Vietnam a free, independent country and Vietnamese people became masters of their own nation’s destiny. Vietnam entered a new era of national independence and socialism. The August Revolution was an inspiration to colonized and oppressed countries to stand up to wrest back independence, democracy, and social progress.”
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President Sang said the August Revolution was a victory of national unity, patriotism, and the intellect, and firm will of the Vietnamese people. He said that over the past 70 years Vietnamese people have continued to implement the goal of the August Revolution which is independence, freedom, and happiness for the people: “Marking the August Revolution and National Day, we are determined to unite to overcome any challenges to protect our revolutionary achievements and continue to implement the August Revolution goals and the Independence Oath. We’ll definitely accomplish our two strategic tasks of national construction and defense, narrow the development gap between Vietnam and other countries, turn Vietnam into a modern industrial nation, and resolutely protect national independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and interests.”
President Sang called on country fellowmen, comrades, and soldiers nationwide and overseas Vietnamese around the world to promote their patriotism and solidarity to boost Vietnam’s development on a par with other developed countries around the globe. He expressed his belief that Vietnam will further reap new accomplishments in national construction and defense. Following the meeting was a massive parade involving 30,000 people from the armed forces and various social backgrounds such as war veterans, workers, farmers, entrepreneurs, youth, women, and ethnic minority people. A music performance entitled “Vietnam-Ho Chi Minh era” will be held on Wednesday evening to mark the event. Firework displays will also take place in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and several other localities.
Following are some photos featuring the meeting and the parade: