As Vietnam prepares to celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2, a nationwide trend of wearing patriotic T-shirts has taken off, embraced by children, youth, and the elderly alike.

T-shirts become the highlight of celebrations

Hanoi has witnessed a wave of concerts honoring the August Revolution and National Day, with events such as V Concert - Radiant Vietnam, V Fest - Glorious Youth, and Fatherland in Our Hearts attracting tens of thousands of spectators each.

Among the most striking scenes is the sea of red and yellow - people wearing áo dài, waving flags, donning conical hats, and especially, sporting patriotic T-shirts printed with the national flag, the word “Vietnam,” and other patriotic symbols.

At Hoan Kiem Lake, groups of friends and families gather to take photos in their red-and-gold outfits. On August 20, during ticket distribution for the concert Vietnam in Me at Hanoi Opera House, many people showed up wearing T-shirts with national symbols.

Tran Hua Mai from Hanoi said she bought a shirt depicting a bus of jubilant people with the slogan “Prosperity and Happiness,” along with accessories like a scarf printed with Uncle Ho’s Mausoleum and a star-emblazoned hat from an e-commerce site.

Mai shared that she wanted to capture this once-in-a-lifetime milestone - the 80th anniversary of National Day - by wearing something that clearly expresses her Vietnamese pride. The shirts are also affordable, at under VND 200,000 (USD 8), and practical for everyday wear.

Le Thuy from Cau Dien and her friends chose matching red T-shirts with yellow stars for a weekend photo shoot in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. “It’s a meaningful trend, easy to join, and full of pride,” she said. “Hearing the National Anthem while wearing this shirt in a crowd is an unforgettable experience.”

Another participant, Nhat Le from Thanh Xuan, bought a locally branded shirt for nearly VND 250,000 (USD 10), featuring a mini national flag on the front and patriotic motifs like “+84,” “Vietnam,” and “Independence - Freedom - Happiness” on the back. She explained she purchased it not just for photos but as a daily reminder of pride.

Patriotism through simple fashion

These T-shirts usually come in basic designs - short-sleeved, round-neck, regular or oversized fit - in colors such as black, white, beige, or red. The focal point is the printed imagery: flags, soldiers, girls in áo dài, maps of Vietnam, and landmarks like Uncle Ho’s Mausoleum, often paired with slogans like “I Love Vietnam,” “Proud to Be Vietnamese,” or “National Day 2/9.”

Prices range from VND 100,000 to 300,000 (USD 4 to 12), with discounts and promotional bundles (such as free patriotic tote bags) offered as the holiday approaches.

At a store on Ba Trieu Street, staff confirmed their campaign “Patriotism from the Cradle” has been running since July 26, with T-shirts for all ages priced at VND 299,000 for adults and VND 169,000 for children (USD 12 and 7 respectively). Promotions allow customers to save up to 30%.

According to staff, patriotic shirts are the best-selling items this August, tripling sales compared to the previous month. Online platforms also report thousands of units sold, with some stores surpassing 10,000 orders.

Unlike traditional attire, these shirts carry a modern touch, blending everyday practicality with national pride. They are emerging as a new cultural symbol, reflecting patriotism through contemporary fashion.

PV