The grand exhibition “80 years of Independence – Freedom – Happiness” officially opened on August 28 at the National Exposition Center in Hanoi's Dong Anh Commune.

Party General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and other senior leaders attended the inauguration event.

In his address, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that the exhibition honors the nation’s historic journey and fosters pride and patriotism.

"In this moment, we pay the tribute to President Ho Chi Minh, our national heroes, soldiers and people for their sacrifices and contributions to the national development," he said.

The event marks a milestone, showcasing Vietnam’s strength and growing role in an era of renewal and integration, he added.

The prime minister recalled that construction of the National Exposition Center began a year ago and was completed in only 10 months, much earlier than planned.

He praised the efforts of the project contractor - Vingroup - and more than 1,000 engineers and workers who worked in shifts to deliver a venue now counted among the largest in the world.

Covering 90 hectares, the complex includes over 300,000 square meters of indoor halls, 200,000 square meters of outdoor space and three international-standard conference centers with a capacity of 5,000 seats each.

Its steel dome, 56 meters high and 360 meters wide, weighs 24,000 tons and was designed and built by Vietnamese engineers, symbolizing resilience and creativity.

The exhibition itself spans nearly 260,000 square meters of display space. It is structured into three main areas with the first highlights Vietnam’s achievements over 80 years of independence and the diversity of its 54 ethnic groups.

The second area focuses on integration and development, with displays on green industries, digital transformation, defense and aerospace, while the third presents cultural industries and international cooperation under the theme “Integration and Creativity.”

Hanoi’s pavilion, titled “Traditional and Creative Space”, introduces the capital as both a city of heritage and a hub of innovation.

Among the key displays are historical artifacts, craft villages, cultural heritage sites and modern creative industries, reflecting Hanoi’s transformation into a dynamic and globally connected metropolis.

Modern technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, hologram projection and 3D mapping are applied throughout the exhibition.

These interactive features give visitors an immersive experience and bring history and achievements closer to the public.

The exhibition is open free of charge to citizens and tourists from August 28 to September 5. It is expected to attract large numbers of visitors, creating a festive atmosphere of pride and unity during the national holiday.