Red Flags Fill Hanoi Balconies as Vietnam Prepares for 80th National Day

HANOI — Photographs taken across Hanoi show red flags fluttering from balconies of French colonial villas, socialist-era apartment blocks and gleaming new towers as the capital prepares for Vietnam’s 80th National Day.

The anniversary on Tuesday commemorates the 1945 declaration of independence from French colonial rule. In the days leading up to the holiday, families were seen gathering on ledges and terraces to watch parade rehearsals and to join what observers described as a citywide display of national symbols.

"Associated Press"

The photographs capture a variety of living spaces — ornate wrought-iron rails of old villas, concrete ledges on aging apartment blocks with chipped walls or broken panes, and glass terraces on newly constructed high-rises — each bearing the same red flag with a yellow star. Some flags were mounted neatly on poles; others were tied to bamboo sticks or affixed with tape to marquees and balcony walls. Laundry and potted plants were moved aside in many places to make room for the view below.

Officials and state media typically stage parades and official ceremonies for National Day, often centered on Ba Dinh Square where the declaration was read in 1945. In recent years, displays of the national flag and public events have become prominent features of the holiday, with local communities and residents participating in preparatory activities.

Photographs of the citywide display underscore how a single symbol is being used to bridge visible differences in architecture and living conditions across Hanoi. The scenes show neighbors of differing generations and incomes sharing vantage points to observe rehearsals and participate in the lead-up to a national commemoration that marks a key moment in Vietnam’s modern history.