A host of cultural celebrations and sporting events are being organised throughout Vietnam in celebration of the 69 th anniversary of National Day (September 2).

In Ho Chi Minh City, exhibitions are opening at the Youth Cultural House, Chi Lang Park, and Dong Khoi street on September 1, featuring photographs of the late President Ho Chi Minh and historical events during Vietnam’s process of revolution.

The municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and HCM City ’s Federation of Bicycle and Motorcycle Sport are organising a bicycle race along Pham Van Dong Street in District 2 on September 2.

In the evening, rockets will light up the city’s skyline during the firework displays in Dam Sen Park in District 11 and in the vicinity of Thu Thiem tunnel in District 9.

Throughout the day, an array of performances will be staged for the general public in parks and entertainment venues, and at memorial sites all over the city.

The central city of Da Nang has also prepared for National Day with a series of special events.

Highlights include song and dance performances at Trung Vuong Theatre on August 30, and at the Da Nang Cultural Centre the next day, along with a music and dance competition for performance groups in Son Tra district from August 28 - 30.

To mark the big day, the city is screening films in remote areas, while a photo exhibition on Vietnam ’s seas and islands will be held along Bach Dang Street , as well as a display of books and literature from August 22 to September 5.

The Da Nang International Marathon is another noteworthy event with nearly 580 athletes from 30 countries and territories registered. The gala dinner to present the awards will take place on August 31.

“Surfing on Han River” returns to Da Nang for the third time on September 2, featuring jet skiing, surfing and parasailing performances on the Han River . Meanwhile, contemporary music, such as hip hop, rock and pop, will be mixed with traditional instruments, saxophones and guitars in a “Street Music” performance along Bach Dang Street .

To celebrate National Day, other localities have also run a number of events in the last few days.

In Hanoi , the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism opened the exhibition “ASEAN Cultural Space” on August 28, displaying 1,000 documents, including photographs, paintings, books and newspapers, in various languages. They present Vietnam ’s development since the renewal process in 1986 and showcase aspects of the ASEAN community.

That same day, the National Political Publishing House unveiled its new book “Nhat ky chien truong” (roughly translated as Diaries from the Battlefield) written by Lt. Gen. Nguyen Tien Binh during the war between 1970 and 1975.

Also on August 28, the HCM City Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs hosted an event for more than 120 expatriates, aiming to boost their confidence in nation-building and defence, and instill a feeling of pride for their homeland.

Ho Chi Minh City’s Television Station held a press briefing on their new documentary series entitled “Mot thoi tuoi tre o R” (roughly translated as The time of youth in R), which looks back upon the young revolutionaries working for the Central Office for South Vietnam during the US war. The 19-volume series will be broadcast on HTV9 from September 8 onwards.

In the northern province of Nam Dinh, local officials visited and gave donations to the families of sailors serving naval duties in the Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagos.

VNA/VNN