Female soldiers at the parade rehearsal on Wednesday. VNA/VNS Photos

HÀ NỘI — More than 7,400 officers and soldiers on Wednesday attended the first rehearsal for the military parade marking the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2).

Led by the Department of Military Training and School Management under the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, the rehearsal was conducted simultaneously at three key locations: National Military Training Centre No. 4, Việt Nam National University – Hà Nội, and the Việt Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism.

Compared to previous parades marking the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory and the 50th anniversary of national reunification, the National Day parade will be significantly larger.

The armed forces will field 11 standing formations and 27 marching formations, with a total of 7,413 officers and soldiers. Each marching formation comprises 10 rows with 160 personnel.

Major General Vũ Việt Hùng, director of the Department of Military Training and School Management and deputy head of the Parade Subcommittee, presided over the inspection.

He noted that after nearly 20 days of individual and unit-level drills, this is the first joint rehearsal involving all military formations under the Ministry of National Defence. The session aims to draw lessons and refine procedures for future rehearsals and the final parade.

Training content has been adjusted to suit weather conditions and the specific requirements of each stage. Units have reviewed and improved their performance during the process, he said.

At National Military Training Centre No. 4, 1,296 personnel participated in formations including military musicians, peacekeepers, communication officers, medical officers, special task force members, ethnic minority militia, and southern guerrilla fighters.

Southern guerrilla fighters will also take part in the parade.

At Việt Nam National University – Hà Nội, 2,917 officers and soldiers formed a variety of groups including Party members, honour guards from the three service branches, ground force officers, logistics and defence industry officers, military cadets, artillery, armoured forces, engineering forces, and the red flag group.

Meanwhile, 3,200 officers and soldiers at the Việt Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism represented naval, air defence – air force, border guard and coast guard officers, as well as cyber warfare, electronic warfare, commando, chemical, airborne special forces and male militia formations.

To ensure success, parade participants are required to perform with solemnity, discipline and precision, embodying unity and professionalism. Marching formations are also expected to display high morale and enthusiasm.

The grand parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2) will be held at Ba Đình Square in Hà Nội on September 2.

A first-ever sea parade with ships and squads from the Navy, Coast Guard, Fisheries Surveillance and Naval Air Force will also take place at the same time as the grand parade in the capital. VNS