On the morning of August 28, the grand opening ceremony of the national exhibition “80 Years of Independence - Freedom - Happiness” was held at the Vietnam Exhibition Center (VEC) in Dong Anh District, Hanoi. The event marks the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2).

The ceremony was attended by General Secretary To Lam; former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh; Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man; former NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan; former Executive Secretary of the Secretariat Tran Quoc Vuong; members and former members of the Politburo and Central Committee; leaders of ministries, departments, and localities; along with representatives of enterprises.

Unprecedented in scale

Speaking at the opening, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung emphasized that the exhibition is not only an event for propaganda and education, but also a cultural and experiential space - a bridge linking the past, present, and future. It aims to awaken national pride, deepen love for the homeland, and inspire a collective aspiration for a prosperous and happy Vietnam.

In his opening report, Minister Nguyen Van Hung stated that the exhibition spans nearly 260,000 square meters and is designed with an open, multi-layered layout divided into three main areas:

The first is the general exhibition area at the Kim Quy Hall under the theme “Vietnam - A journey to a new era,” showcasing the nation's major achievements over 80 years, 4,000 years of cultural heritage, the diversity of its 54 ethnic groups, and several themed zones such as “95 Years Under the Party’s Banner,” “Prosperous Provinces - Strong Nation,” and “Enterprises Developing with the Spirit of Saint Giong.”

The second is the outdoor exhibition area themed “Integration and Development,” featuring green industries, digital transformation, national security and defense (represented by “The Sword and the Shield”), the aerospace industry (“Aspiration for the Sky”), as well as spaces for performing arts, tourism fairs, and culinary showcases.

The third is the international exhibition and the 12 cultural industries zone in Hall A under the theme “Integration and Creativity,” highlighting innovative products and the motto “Creativity for Nation Building,” alongside exhibits connecting “Vietnam and the World.”

According to Minister Nguyen Van Hung, this exhibition integrates cutting-edge technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), 3D models, interactive touchscreen displays, and multimedia presentations. These tools not only allow visitors to observe but also to engage directly with the historical and cultural content, providing immersive insight into Vietnam’s renewal journey.

Simultaneously, promotional efforts and tourism linkages are being implemented in a synchronized manner. The organizers expect the exhibition to become a vibrant cultural highlight that attracts large numbers of citizens and international visitors.

During its ramp-up phase, the venue hosted four major concerts that drew nearly 120,000 attendees, generating significant public interest and momentum.

Spreading national pride

The Minister affirmed that the “80 Years of Independence - Freedom - Happiness” exhibition offers an opportunity to reflect on the nation's glorious path, honoring the patriotic spirit, self-reliance, resilience, and continuous creativity of the Vietnamese people.

“This exhibition exemplifies the collective effort and unity of all sectors, businesses, and citizens. It will be a cultural space that spreads historical and cultural values and inspires both domestic and international audiences,” said Minister Nguyen Van Hung.

He described the national achievement exhibition as a “living classroom” of patriotism, underscoring the Party's leadership, State management, and the united, creative power of the people in national development.

This nationwide exhibition features extensive displays of artifacts and images from 34 provinces and cities, 28 ministries and departments, 94 private enterprises, and 12 state-owned enterprises. Over 3,000 guests attended the opening ceremony.

A total of 230 indoor and outdoor booths are showcasing content in diverse formats, including large panels, photographs, drawings, documents, artifacts, 3D mapping projections, VR experiences, multimedia presentations, and modern digital technology.

The exhibition runs until September 5.

Thu Hang - Tinh Le