Russian media highlights Vietnam's grand National Day celebrations

Russia’s TASS news agency noted this was the first time since 1985 that Ba Dinh Square hosted a large-scale military parade, with diverse forces and heavy equipment on display.

Personnel of the Russian Federation's armed forces march through Ba Dinh Square in the parade on September 2, 2025. (Photo: VNA)
Personnel of the Russian Federation's armed forces march through Ba Dinh Square in the parade on September 2, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Moscow (VNA) – Russian media outlets on September 2 carried extensive coverage of the grand military parade held in Hanoi to mark the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945– 2025) and National Day of Vietnam (September 2).

The TASS news agency reported that the parade gathered 16,000 servicemen from the Vietnam People’s Army and the People's Public Security Force, along with marching contingents from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the People’s Liberation Army of China, the Lao People’s Army, and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

It said this was the first time since 1985 that such a large-scale military parade with diverse forces had taken place at Ba Dinh Square, featuring heavy military equipment.

The parade showcased Vietnam’s most modern weapons and military equipment, including advanced missile technology, T-90 tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armoured personnel carriers, air defence units, self-propelled artillery, electronic warfare vehicles and domestically produced unmanned systems. Pilots of the Vietnam Air Force demonstrated flying skills with Mi helicopters, Yak-130 trainer aircraft, and Su-30MK2 fighter jets.

High-ranking leaders from Russia, Belarus, China, Cuba, and Cambodia attended the celebrations as honorary guests. The Russian delegation was led by Vladimir Vladimirovich Yakushev, Secretary of the General Council of the United Russia Party and First Vice Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly.

The Kommersant daily ran an article describing the parade as the largest of its kind in Vietnam in decades.

It highlighted that tens of thousands of people thronged the streets of the capital carrying flags, most dressed in red. Thousands of Vietnamese troops marched alongside soldiers from China, Russia, and other countries, while Vietnam’s navy, consisting mainly of frigates and submarines, paraded in Cam Ranh Bay.

The newspaper also noted that the Vietnamese Government had provided an unprecedented cash gift of 100,000 VND (3.8 USD) per citizen to over 100 million people, and granted amnesty to more than 13,900 prisoners on the occasion.

The news site vesti.ru published an article reporting that the parade took place at Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945 (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam).

Meanwhile, the television channel smotrim aired a feature on the parade, saying about 40,000 people joined the march, with 87 formations. Thirty aircraft, including Russian-made Su and Yak fighter jets and Mi helicopters, performed flyovers to salute the guests.

It said about 150,000 spectators gathered in Hanoi to witness the parade, which was broadcast live on national television./.

VNA

See more

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia accelerates clean energy transition

Delivering a speech at the Clean Energy Transition Asia (CETA) Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Fadillah, who is also the energy transition and water transformation minister, said that the Southeast Asian region now drives more than half of the global energy demand.

Indonesian localities extend state of emergency amid natural disasters

Indonesian localities extend state of emergency amid natural disasters

As disaster-related losses continue to rise, authorities in the affected provinces have decided to extend the state of emergency to ensure resources and legal mechanisms for response efforts. West Sumatra extended it to December 22, North Sumatra to December 24, and Aceh to December 25.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof delivers his opening keynote address at the Global AI, Digital and Green Economy Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, December 15, 2025. (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia eyes AI-driven energy future

Malaysia’s direction is to focus on building a modern grid, a digital economy powered by trustworthy AI, and climate finance systems that deliver real-world decarbonisation.

Air passengers at the departure terminal of the Phnom Penh International Airport. (Photo: khmertimeskh.com)

Air travel between Cambodia, Thailand remains operational

In a statement released on his Facebook post, Hun Sen explained that his earlier message, advising the Royal Government to consider suspending cross-border travel, referred specifically to land routes, as tensions are escalating along the entire land border, with some spillover into maritime areas.

Thailand, Myanmar boost anti-drug cooperation

Thailand, Myanmar boost anti-drug cooperation

Myanmar authorities have handed over three drug-related fugitives wanted by Thailand and one Thai national who was residing illegally in Myanmar to Thai authorities, according to the Myanmar Police Force.

An aerial drone photo shows a bridge damaged by floods in Bener Meriah regency, Aceh, Indonesia, (Photo: Xinhua)

Indonesia: Over 200 people remain missing after floods, landslides

The floods and landslides that struck three provinces on Indonesia's Sumatra Island have caused damage to about 1,200 public facilities, as well as 219 health facilities, 581 educational establishments, 434 places for worship, 290 office buildings and 145 bridges.

Director General of Customs and Excise Djaka Budhi Utama (Photo: cncbindonesia.com)

Indonesia’s customs warns of emerging smuggling “hotspot”

To prevent similar smuggling activities, Indonesia’s Directorate General of Customs and Excise is conducting strict surveillance along the coast. The areas under surveillance include Belawan, Tanjung Balai Asahan, Dumai, Jambi, and the Riau Islands.

Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão on December 11 delivers a policy speech at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. (Photo: VNA)

Timor Leste PM: Admission into ASEAN – a dream comes true

Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão emphasised that becoming a member of ASEAN is “a dream comes true" for the people of Timor Leste, affirming that joining ASEAN marked a significant turning point, helping Timor Leste move towards the future and integrate into the broader regional community.

Tourists visit Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Foreign arrivals to Thailand down nearly 10% year-on-year

For 2026, Thailand expects 34.9 million foreign visitors, a 4% increase, earning 1.63 trillion THB in revenue, up 8% year-on-year. Total tourism revenue, including domestic travel, is forecast at 2.79 trillion THB (88 billion USD).

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul speaks before the Parliament in Bangkok on September 29 (Photo: XINHUA/VNA)

Thai PM dissolves parliament

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on December 12 signed a decree dissolving the House of Representatives, paving the way for a new general election.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia takes drastic measures to prevent illegal dumping

As of October, a total of 3,634 illegal dumping sites in Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perlis, Kedah, and areas under Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya had been shut down - the highest number recorded since the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) took effect.