Defying adverse weather conditions, tens of thousands of people from different parts of the country gathered along the streets of this capital hours before the parade began (at 6:00 a.m. local time) to greet and cheer on the participating forces.

According to official sources, approximately 16,000 officers and soldiers, as well as representatives from all sectors of society, will yake part in the parade, grouped into 43 marching units and 14 mechanized units with tanks, artillery pieces, and special vehicles.

In addition, about 400 members of the armed forces of China, Russia, Laos, and Cambodia will march.

The dress rehearsal was attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Tran Cam Tu, Permanent Member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and the Ministers of National Defense, General Phan Van Giang, and Public Security, General Luong Tam Quang, among others.

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