This year's National Day Rally will be held on Aug 21, the Ministry of Communications and Information said in a press statement yesterday.

Typically held on the second Sunday after National Day on Aug 9, the rally is viewed as the most important political speech of the year.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong traditionally uses it to map out the nation's future directions, and also to announce policy changes.

This year's rally will be the first after last September's general election which the People's Action Party won after garnering 69.9 per cent of the vote.

The rally at the ITE College Central will start at 6.45pm and will be broadcast live.