Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen The Thao on August 26 urged relevant ministries and agencies to devise concrete plans to ensure the absolute safety for Party and State leaders as well as facilitate public participation in events in celebration of the National Day (September 2). Meeting with representatives of relevant ministries and agencies ahead of the celebrations, Thao asked the municipal Police Department to collaborate with the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defence to assure political security, social order and safety and traffic safety during the important event.  According to the Hanoi Departments of Construction and Culture, Sports and Tourism, all preparations for the celebrations have to date finished, especially popularisation work, public lightening, workshops, exhibitions and other cultural activities. The installation of loudspeakers and LED screens serving the live broadcast of the meeting and parade is also underway.   Representatives from the Ministries of Public Security and National Defence reported that detailed plans to ensure security and safety during the celebrations have been made. A security sub-committee has been formed and 206 security stations have been set up in response to contingencies. Meanwhile, the municipal Department of Transport said it has released a notice on banning vehicles on 40 streets on this occasion. Accordingly, vehicles are not allowed to enter Hung Vuong, Hoang Van Thu, Chua Mot Cot, Doc Lap, Ong Ich Khiem, Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, Ton That Dam, Nguyen Canh Chan, Bac Son, Mai Xuan Thuong, Le Hong Phong, Ngoc Ha, Thanh Nien, Hoang Hoa Tham, Thuy Khue, Quan Thanh, Phan Dinh Phung, Dien Bien Phu, Chu Van An, Hoang Dieu, Nguyen Tri Phuong, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Trang Thi, Hang Khay, Trang Tien and Co Tan from 16:00 to 24:00 on August 29 and from 21:00 on September 1 to 12:00 on September 2. Prohibition is also applied on roads around August Revolution Square, including Tran Nhat Duat, Tran Quang Khai, Tran Khanh Du, Kim Ma (from Lieu Giai to Nguyen Thai Hoc), Lieu Giai, Van Cao Tran Phu, Son Tay, Nguyen Chi Thanh (from Kim Ma to La Thanh), Yen Phu, Bach Thao park, Doi Can (from Le Hong Phong to Van Cao) and Doc La Pho.  About 40,000 people will join the parade starting from 7:00 on September 2. They will march from Ba Dinh Square and go along major downtown streets in Hanoi in two directions, one heading to Nguyen Thai Hoc-Kim Ma-Lieu Giai, and the other to Nguyen Thai Hoc-Hang Khay-Trang Tien-Opera House.  Participants include representatives from armed forces and various social backgrounds, such as war veterans, workers, farmers, entrepreneurs, youth, women and ethnic minority people. Themed “Promoting the strength of the entire nation and being determined to build and firmly defend the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,” the parade aims to affirm the great historical values of the August Revolution and the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in the history of the nation’s multi-thousand-year construction and defence.  Prior to the march, a 21-gun salute will be fired from the Thang Long Royal Citadel.-VNA