On September 2, 1945 the national flag was first raised in Ba Dinh Square at the time President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Over the past 70 years, the national flag has flown over Ba Dinh Square, symbolizing the immortality of the country.

The flag raising ceremony at Ba Dinh Square is a national ritual which is performed everyday in front of the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. At 5:44, the soldiers of Mission 275 of the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum’s Protection High Command march in formation to the flag pole to the song, “Marching under the Military Flag”.

The parade is led by soldiers with the “Determined to Win” military flag and followed by 34 soldiers who reproduce the image of the 34 first cadres and soldiers of the Vietnam Propaganda Unit of Liberation Army established in 1944, the forerunner of the Vietnam People’s Army.

The soldiers stop at the base of the flag pole and gradually raise the flag to the top of the 29m high pole.
At 9 pm, the flag lowering ceremony is solemnly held. The national flag is lowered and then folded before the President Ho Chi Minh saluting rite.

Vietnamese people feel very proud when attending the ceremonies.

By Tran Thanh Giang