VietNamNet Bridge – The stage was built on the pavement. Hundreds of primary students sat on plastic chairs on the road to attend the first school-day ceremony of the new academic year. For many years this primary school in Hanoi’s center has organized its new school year and flag saluting ceremonies on the road like this.

The Ba Trieu Primary School in Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, opened the new school year in the morning of September 5. Without a school yard, the ceremony was held on the road.

Guards stopped vehicles at the two tops of the road.

But nothing could stop the pleasure of these kids.

The school is based in an old French-styled villa on Bui Thi Xuan Street, with several classes. Other classes are arranged in other places. For many years, hundreds of students of this school have had to participate in ceremonies held on the road like this.

However, the ceremony was still held fully, with flag saluting ritual and welcoming pre-school children to the first class.

Parents said that it is difficult to get a seat at public schools in Hanoi’s center so they choose this school although it is narrow and unsettled. Moreover, the school is near to their homes.

Parents and local people are so familiar with this scene.

Six-year-old children were very happy to have new teachers and new friends while older students were familiar with the on-the-road ceremony.