Thousands of people lined up early on Saturday morning, with some showing up as early as 5:00 am or 6:00 am, to secure a good viewing spot at the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024, held at Gia Lam Military Airport in Long Bien District, Hanoi.

According to continuous updates from the exhibition organizers, by Friday evening, nearly 100,000 people had registered to attend the four-day event, which opens to the public for free starting from 9:00 am on Saturday.

Many visitors arrived early on Saturday morning at the expo venue.

Security forces were busy guiding the crowds, ensuring they lined up in blocks, maintained order, dressed appropriately, and prioritized the elderly and children.

In formal uniforms, 81-year-old Major Tran Truong Ha and 74-year-old Tran Thi Hoai, both from Thai Nguyen City in the namesake northern province, shared that they had been eagerly waiting for the defense exhibition. 

Thousands of people line up at the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024, held at Gia Lam Military Airport in Long Bien District, Hanoi, December 21, 2024. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre

Over the past few days, the two veterans, along with a group of former soldiers, had visited the Vietnam Military History Museum and President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum.

Having served in the Central Highlands battlefield from 1964 to 1974, Major Ha deeply understands the sacrifices of his comrades and is proud of the increasing modernization of Vietnam’s military and national defense. 

“I’m very excited to visit the exhibition,” he said. 

“I’ve been following the news and updates about the event every day.”

Thousands of people line up at the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024, held at Gia Lam Military Airport in Long Bien District, Hanoi, December 21, 2024. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre

Despite the cold weather, Le Van Dong and Hoang Thi Thien, along with their three children, also made their way to Gia Lam Military Airport to visit the exhibition.

“We woke up at 6:00 am, and by 6:30 am, we were heading to the exhibition to line up,” Dong said with a smile. 

“The kids woke up earlier than us.

“They werer so excited to see the planes, missiles, and tanks. 

“At home, I often show them YouTube channels about military knowledge and defense news, and we even buy toy tanks and planes.”

The family of Le Van Dong (L) and Hoang Thi Thien (R) poses at the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024, held at Gia Lam Military Airport in Long Bien District, Hanoi, December 21, 2024. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre

The Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024 opened on Thursday and will last until Sunday, gathering over 200 enterprises from more than 30 countries, including the U.S., Russia, the UK, France, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, China, and others.

The expo, in its second edition, features combat vehicles, weapons, military equipment, and technological solutions for the navy, army, air defense force, logistics, and technical support.

The first Vietnam International Defense Expo was held in 2022, attracting 174 enterprises from 30 countries.

Security forces regulate blocks of visitors to the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024, held at Gia Lam Military Airport in Long Bien District, Hanoi, December 21, 2024. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre

Thousands of people line up at the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024, held at Gia Lam Military Airport in Long Bien District, Hanoi, December 21, 2024. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre

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