The ceremony marked the 81st anniversary of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union against fascism on May 9, 1945, the 51st anniversary of Vietnam’s reunification on April 30, 1975, and the 72nd anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory on May 7, 1954.

The event was jointly organized by the Russian Embassy in Vietnam and the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Hanoi.

The “Immortal Regiment” procession has become an annual tradition in Russia and many countries around the world, honoring those who participated in the Great Patriotic War and preserving memories of wartime sacrifice across generations.

Families carrying portraits of relatives and flowers joined the march through Hanoi, including many parents accompanied by young children in tribute to soldiers who lost their lives during the war.

Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko said the “Immortal Regiment” had become a deeply meaningful tradition both in Russia and internationally.

He described the event as a tribute to frontline soldiers, resistance fighters and civilians who courageously sacrificed themselves to secure victory in the war against fascism.

“In the former Soviet republics, the war touched every family and left its mark on every person’s destiny,” the ambassador said, explaining why the anniversary carries such profound emotional significance.

Ambassador Bezdetko and his wife also joined the procession alongside participants from both countries.

“We remember and honor every single person,” he said. “We do not forget the Vietnamese internationalist soldiers who fought shoulder to shoulder with our people during the winter of 1941 and in the battles defending Moscow. Their names are remembered forever.”

The ambassador also paid tribute to Vietnamese heroes who sacrificed their lives during the Dien Bien Phu campaign and throughout the struggle for national reunification.

Belarusian Ambassador to Vietnam Uladzimir Baravikou reflected on the importance of April 30, Vietnam’s Reunification Day, May 7, the Dien Bien Phu Victory anniversary, and May 9, Victory Day commemorating the Soviet triumph in the Great Patriotic War.

He said the anniversaries were occasions to express gratitude and respect for earlier generations who endured the devastation of war and immeasurable losses.

“Millions of people sacrificed their lives for their homeland,” Baravikou said. “It is the duty of today’s generations to remember those sacrifices and honor the heroes who fell for the future.”

He also emphasized the importance of promoting peace agendas through international forums.

The ceremony featured artistic performances by Vietnamese and Russian artists celebrating revolutionary heroism, patriotism and the historical bonds between the two peoples.

Originally launched in Russia in 2011 as a grassroots social movement, the “Immortal Regiment” initiative was created to commemorate veterans of the Great Patriotic War while fostering patriotism, courage and a personal connection between families and national history.

Since then, the movement has spread to many countries and territories around the world.