Affirming the stature of Vietnam

Unprecedented precedents

The National Exhibition Center project itself is a miracle. More than 10 years ago, Hanoi came up with the idea and included it in the planning of an international exhibition center in Co Loa area, Dong Anh district to replace the old Giang Vo Exhibition Center.

However, on a large scale, the construction implementation is still only on paper until the task is handed over to Vietnam Exhibition Center Joint Stock Company - VEC (Vingroup Corporation holding 80% of shares).

The problem is not easy to solve when the project has a planned area of over 90 hectares with more than 550,000m2 for indoor construction, including the main functional subdivisions: indoor and outdoor exhibition area; Commercial promotion center; Conference center and other auxiliary areas such as 5-star 52-storey hotel, commercial center...

Initially, the project was expected to take about 2 to 3 years to complete. However, since starting construction in August 2024, in just 10 months, from a pristine land along the Red River, the National Exhibition Center (Hanoi) has been rapidly built, becoming one of the 10 largest exhibition centers in the world.

I was surprised! With such a scale, completing it in 10 months is unprecedented in Vietnam" - economic expert Pham Chi Lan acknowledged. As for the Director of the Institute for Brand Strategy and Competition Research, Dr. Vo Tri Thanh said: "Only with the spirit of determination and creativity of the enterprise can the project be completed earlier than the target while still ensuring strict standards".

From the perspective of the craftsman who participated in the construction of the old Giang Vo Exhibition Center - Mr. Truong Son said: "It is impossible to compare Giang Vo with the Exhibition Center in Dong Anh because of its stature. I admire the current craftsmen.

To speed up the project's progress, more than 1,000 workers and engineers have to work 24/24 hours, divided into 3 shifts, mobilizing maximum resources, materials and overweight equipment, including cranes with a load capacity of up to hundreds of tons. The highlight is the steel arch roof of Kim Quy Exhibition House with an area of 13 hectares in the house, 56m high, weighing up to 24,000 tons, established as the largest steel arch structure in the world.

On August 19, 2025, the National Exhibition Center was officially inaugurated. Here, General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates performed the ribbon cutting ceremony to inaugurate and start construction of 250 other key projects.

Will and Aspiration of Vietnam

The National Achievement Exhibition "80 years of independence - freedom - Happiness" held at the National Exhibition Center from August 28 to September 5, 2025 has many meanings. The exhibition aims to comprehensively recreate the country's picture from the beginning of national construction and defense, through the years of resistance war to the Doi Moi process and international integration. This is not only a political and cultural activity, but also a " window" for people and international friends to look back on the glorious and emotional journey of the Vietnamese people.

The event took place on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and National Day September 2 is considered to have a deep symbolic meaning, affirming the strength of a nation that has overcome war and poverty, to become a dynamic, innovative nation with international prestige. The exhibition is therefore expected to not only help people be proud of the past and believe in the present, but also arouse great aspirations for a strong developed Vietnam in the future.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh said that the Exhibition is not only a place to admire valuable artifacts, documents, and images but also a space to display the country's development achievements over the past 80 years, so that each person, especially the younger generation, can relive historical moments, understand more deeply the value of independence and freedom, and arouse great aspirations for a strongly developed Vietnam in the future.

This year's exhibition is considered the largest event ever with nearly 300 participating units, including 34 provinces, cities, 28 ministries, branches and more than 100 typical enterprises in both the State and private sectors. In total, there are more than 230 booths representing about 180 industries, spanning from economy, industry, agriculture, services to culture, sports, national defense and security.

Notably, preparations for such a national event have only taken place for more than a month - a rare record, demonstrating the determination and high sense of responsibility of the units. The booths do not stop at traditional exhibitions but have strongly applied modern digital technology such as touch screens, mapping projectors, virtual reality technology (VR/AR), and restoration museums. This helps visitors have vivid experiences, both attractive and educational.

The exhibition space is divided into three large subdivisions: the indoor area at Kim Quy Exhibition House, the outdoor area with military equipment and large artifacts, along with the cultural industrial park and international exhibition in block A. This arrangement is both scientific and shows the comprehensiveness in reflecting the country's achievements. It can be said that this exhibition is not only of unprecedented scale but also a harmonious combination of tradition and modernity, between rich content and creative forms.

Spreading values

According to the Organizing Committee, the indoor space at Kim Quy Exhibition House is divided into major topics, fully reflecting the history and achievements of the past 80 years. That is, Vietnam - The Fatherland - The People: Introduce cultural identity, beautiful nature, people rich in compassion and resilience. This is a fundamental image, arousing national pride; 95 years of the Party Flag: Recreating the journey since the Party was born in 1930 to lead the people to gain independence, unify the country and build a socialist regime; Creating and developing: Reflecting the process of forming, operating, and innovating the State apparatus and the political system; Economic locomotive: Highlighting the role and achievements of the State-owned enterprise sector - "pillars" in economic development; National charter start-up: Honoring private enterprises and national brands - new driving force of the economy; Rich province - Strong country: Introducing the identity, potential and achievements of 34 provinces and cities, reflecting the development of the same and diverse.

The exhibition is not only a Central event, but also a place for localities and industries to affirm their position and identity. Each province and city brings its own space, telling its own development story in the common journey of the country.

For example, Can Tho with the theme "Greatness of Can Tho - New position, new vision" introduces the history of formation, strategic role in the resistance war, achievements in the renovation period and development orientation as the central urban area of the Mekong Delta. Quang Ngai province carries the message "Reolutionary origin, steady in the future", introducing heavy industrial achievements (Dung Quat, VSIP, Hoa Phat), marine economy, high-tech agriculture and folk cultural heritage. Quang Ngai's space also emphasizes new advantages after the merger of administrative units, affirming its position in multi-sectoral development.

Meanwhile, Vietnam Airlines made a special impression with the message "80 years of accompanying the country, rising high with the world". The exhibition depicts the journey from the first flights to the modern fleet, displaying the IL-14 aircraft that once carried President Ho Chi Minh. Tourists can directly experience being an attendant, a pilot through a simulated cockpit, participate in minigame, check-in the virtual reality cabin...

The special feature of the exhibition is that the space is not only limited to displaying artifacts but also expanding into a cultural - art festival with large concerts such as the "8Wonder Summer 2025: Moments of wonder" on August 23, the concert "Vietnam in Me" gathers many famous artists loved by young people such as SOOBIN, Hoa Minzy, Erik, Duc Phuc, Anh Tu, Quan AP, Duong Hoang Yen and the Chillies music group, the art program "Hanoi - mai mai mong mong thuong Viet Nam".

It is the diversity in cultural and artistic activities that has made the exhibition not only rich in political and educational activities but also attractive, close, becoming a "residence" for the entire population on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of National Day.

The exhibition "80 years of independence - freedom - Happiness" is a vivid testament to the national stature after 8 decades of development. From a poor, backward country, devastated by war, Vietnam has now risen to become a dynamic economy, in the group of 35 largest economies in the world with a GDP of nearly 500 billion USD, and at the same time set a goal of entering the top 20 by the mid-X mixed-century.

The exhibition is a strong message to the world: Vietnam not only has a heroic history, but also a dynamic present and a promising future. With that stature, the exhibition has gone beyond the significance of a domestic event, becoming a cultural - political - economic bridge, contributing to spreading Vietnamese values, inspiring international friends about a resilient, creative and aspirational nation.