Solemn and emotional flag raising ceremony to celebrate National Day September 2

To celebrate the 79th National Day, September 2, a solemn national flag-raising ceremony was held at Ba Dinh Square ( Hanoi ) this morning, September 2.

The national flag-raising ceremony was solemnly held at Ba Dinh Square (Hanoi), the flagpole in front of President Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

At about 5:40 a.m., when the honor guards were preparing to perform the ceremony, the door to President Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum opened - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

At exactly 5:45 a.m., the honor guard shift change took place. In order to be able to stand at attention while on duty, the honor guard soldiers had to undergo physical training, standing at attention for many hours. Each honor guard shift in front of the mausoleum is 60 minutes, but trained soldiers can stand at attention continuously for 3-4 hours - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

At 5:55 a.m., with military music playing, the honor guard moved from the corner of Hung Vuong and Le Hong Phong streets into Ba Dinh Square - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

Three members of the honor guard step up to the flagpole area to conduct the flag-raising ceremony - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

Soldiers hug the national flag waiting for the national anthem to play - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

At exactly 6am, the national flag fluttered in the autumn sunshine at the historic Ba Dinh Square - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

The national flag is slowly raised during the National Anthem, when the National Anthem ends, the National Flag also reaches the top of the flagpole - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

A large number of people were present at Ba Dinh Square to watch the flag-raising ceremony - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

Young people of the Youth Union sing the National Anthem - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

The honor guard inspects the procession as it moves through the gate of President Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

September 2 is also the day President Ho Chi Minh passed away. He passed away at 9:47 a.m. on September 2, 1969. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is where President Ho Chi Minh's body is kept. The mausoleum officially began construction on September 2, 1973, at the old stage in the middle of Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh used to preside over important meetings. The mausoleum was inaugurated on August 29, 1975 - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

A family wearing red flag with yellow star walking on Ba Dinh Square - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

Major General Huynh Dac Huong, 102 years old, was brought to Ba Dinh Square by his relatives to watch the flag-raising ceremony. He is currently the oldest living general of the Army. He used to hold the position of head of the expert delegation, political commissar of the Vietnam Volunteer Army in Laos, and former deputy minister of the Ministry of War Invalids and Social Affairs - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

At 7am, people lined up in long lines waiting for their turn to visit President Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

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