On the afternoon of December 9, at Gia Lam Airport (Hanoi), the Ministry of National Defense held another joint rehearsal for the opening ceremony of the second Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024.

Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Head of the Expo's Organizing Committee, oversaw and directed the rehearsal activities.

Compared to previous sessions, this rehearsal included notable additions, such as a female military band unit, unmanned aerial vehicles carrying the national flag, and enhanced performances by military dog units.

After personally observing and directing the training, Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan praised the progress made by the participating units. With less than 10 days until the opening ceremony, he noted significant improvements: "This time, the movements and coordination of the units are much smoother and more polished."

Sharing his pride with the performers, Lieutenant General Tan reflected on his own experience marching in a military parade in 1985. He emphasized the importance of this year’s expo, which coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of National Defense Day.

Quoting Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang, he remarked, "We are not just flying within Vietnam; we are flying globally," underscoring Vietnam's cultural and military prominence on the world stage. He reminded participants that every soldier’s actions represent the Vietnamese nation.

Lieutenant General Tan urged commanders and performers to ensure their movements were precise, synchronized, and aesthetically pleasing, adhering strictly to the program’s choreography. He called for a display of the strong spirit and pride of the Vietnamese people and soldiers, embodying their resilience and discipline.

Personnel from various units have been instructed to maintain high levels of responsibility, overcome challenges, and strictly adhere to discipline to ensure the success of upcoming final rehearsals and the opening ceremony itself.

For the first time, a female military band joined the rehearsals alongside other performance units. A notable highlight was the debut of the Border Defense Academy's military dog unit, which demonstrated crime-fighting maneuvers and obstacle courses.

A symbolic representation of Vietnam's iconic bamboo tree will also feature prominently in the artistic segment of the opening ceremony.

The Special Forces wowed with displays of martial arts, close-combat techniques, and daring fire-jumping stunts.

One of the standout moments of the opening ceremony will be an aerial display by the Vietnam Air Force. A squadron of four Su-30MK2 fighter jets practiced intricate formations, including horizontal alignments, captivating onlookers.

In recent days, crowds of local residents have gathered along the Long Bien-Xuan Quan dike to witness these spectacular aerial rehearsals.