Vietnam's National Day marked by stirring songs in sky, sign language on ground

The first performance took place aboard Vietnam Airlines flight VN245 from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, where the Army Ceremonial Band, a unit under the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, performed a mini concert at an altitude of 10,000 meters as part of a special National Day program.

The musicians performed familiar patriotic songs, turning the cabin into a lively celebration of National Day.

The performance was part of a special program jointly organized by Vietnam Airlines, the Ministry of National Defense, and other relevant agencies to mark National Day.

Passengers joined in, singing along and waving Vietnamese national flags as the music filled the cabin.

Among the passengers was Le Diep An, a student at Tran Van On Elementary School in Ho Chi Minh City, who had traveled to Hanoi during her summer break to visit her grandparents and was returning home for school.

An's grandmother, identified as Hue, said the girl began singing a patriotic song, prompting nearby passengers to join her.

"My granddaughter and I were so lucky to be on flight VN245. I love Vietnam!" Hue wrote on her social media account.

Videos and images of the unusual in-flight concert quickly spread online, drawing enthusiastic reactions from viewers.

While the performance at 10,000 meters above the ground drew widespread attention online, another National Day performance took place more quietly on the ground at Dong Tam Social Protection Center in Quy Nhon Ward, Gia Lai Province on the same day.

Children with congenital hearing and speech impairments in a class led by teacher Dao Thi Mong Hang performed the national anthem through sign language and other forms of nonverbal communication.

Journalist Thu Uyen, who attended the event, recorded the performance and posted a video on her social media account on Tuesday.

Uyen described it as the most moving rendition of Vietnam's national anthem she had seen this year, saying her hands trembled as she filmed the children.

The two performances were vastly different in setting and style, but both conveyed the same message of love for the country and national pride on National Day.

One brought passengers together in song high above the clouds, while the other allowed children with hearing and speech impairments to express the national anthem through sign language.

Together, the two moments showed how patriotic feelings can transcend differences in physical ability, circumstances and location, turning National Day from simply a holiday on the calendar into an emotional experience shared by people from all walks of life.