When millions of hearts beat as one...

On the morning of August 16, despite unfavorable weather conditions, with rain in most wards and communes in Nghe An province, the flag-raising ceremony and walk under the program "Advancing with Vietnam" in red shirts with yellow stars still took place simultaneously with the participation of a large number of people. That presence further affirmed the patriotic spirit and revolutionary blood of the Nghe people in the land of "spiritual land and talented people".

InHo Chi Minh SquareFrom dawn, thousands of people poured in with joy. The vast space of the square was filled with the colors of the national flag and colorful umbrellas. Under the statue of the Father of the nation, from the elderly to the children, from agencies, organizations to private families, volunteer groups to student groups... all seemed to have an invisible connection, blending into the national pride.

The moment the National Anthem is played, millions of people sing in unison, turning towards the Fatherland. The flag-raising ceremony is no longer a mere ritual, but a spiritual connection with history, with the country. The singing is not just sounds, but words from the bottom of the heart, pride, gratitude, and promises to the past and the future. Each emotion is a true piece, painting a vivid picture of this event.

Veteran Nguyen Huu Binh (72 years old, in Vinh Phu ward) emotionally shared: "When I was still fighting, the feeling of saluting the flag and singing the National Anthem was very sacred. Today, standing in the middle of this sea of ​​people, facing the national flag, listening to the National Anthem, I feel like I am reliving heroic memories. Every time like that, I remember my fallen comrades, remember the silent sacrifices of the previous generation. So proud! Proud that my country has developed, proud that the patriotism of the young generation is still burning brightly".

Having also participated in the revolution and sharing the same feelings, Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuong (born in 1929, in Vinh Phu ward) confided: "These past few days I have been so excited that I could not sleep. I am so happy, so excited!"

To help the whole family participate in this event, members bought red shirts with yellow stars many days in advance and woke up very early to be there on time. At the age of 94, wearing a red shirt with yellow stars, Mr. Xuong was helped by his children and grandchildren to participate in the walking activity after the event.

Attending the event in the green uniform of Vovinam, teacher Nguyen Van Thanh (born in 1994, teacher of Le Mao Primary School) shared: “My students and I participated in the program with the desire to encourage the spirit of patriotism and national pride of the students. At the same time, remind them to preserve the national identity because Vovinam is the national martial art, recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage”.

It is known that after the event, Master Thanh and his students will attend the Nghe An Province Open Vovinam Viet Vo Dao Intermediate Level Belt Examination at Nghe An Province Sports Stadium. Therefore, many students from many provinces and cities across the country will also be present at this event.

Student Giang Gia Me (19 years old - Vinh University of Technical Education) excitedly said: "When I stand here, I feel so small, but also extremely proud to be a Vietnamese. I think that no matter what I do or where I am, I will always remember this image, to live well, study well and try to become a useful person for my homeland and country."

After the sacred flag-raising ceremony, tens of thousands of people started their march. The early morning rain did not dampen their enthusiasm, but on the contrary, it further proved that no obstacle can stop the iron will of a nation.

Each step carries the aspiration for a bright future, affirming the spirit of solidarity and the indomitable will of the Vietnamese people. Among billions of steps, the slow steps of those of Mr. Xuong’s generation seem to recreate the arduous history of many previous generations. And the joyful running steps of the children – the future buds of the country – are a promising affirmation of a Vietnam that is growing. Just like that, the past and the future merge into one, creating an endless flow…

Not only at Ho Chi Minh Square, but also at the venues in wards and communes, the atmosphere was equally bustling. Although the scale was smaller, the solemnity and solidarity remained intact.

At the end of the event, social media platforms were flooded with images, videos and statuses about the event that were widely shared. With a sense of pride, each citizen became an "ambassador", spreading the message of this historic morning. The program's hashtag continuously topped the trending list, turning the event into not only a walk but also a powerful cultural wave, connecting and inspiring millions of people, not only in Vietnam.

The "Moving Forward with Vietnam" walking event has gone beyond a normal physical activity. From the city to the countryside, from the elderly to the children, everyone has come together to write an emotional story about love for the country. Many people, although unable to directly participate in the event, have responded by wearing red shirts with yellow stars, posting photos checking in with the national flag.

80 years since the founding of the country. Each of us is fortunate to be born and raised in an era of peace, the economy is increasingly prosperous, and people's lives are getting better and better. This is the result of many generations of ancestors' contributions. Therefore, we, the ones who are inheriting these achievements, need to be grateful and cherish what we have.