Impressive, proud

The 50th anniversary celebration of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the Reunification of the Country (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) held in Ho Chi Minh City left behind profound and lasting impressions.

Returning to Ho Chi Minh City half a century after joining the army that liberated the city, veteran Pham Minh Chau (from Thai Nguyen province) could not hide his emotion as he walked on the streets that once bore the marks of bombs and bullets, now adorned with flags and flowers.

Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City on April 28th, Mr. Chau and his former comrades from his unit took the opportunity to revisit their old battlefield. Comparing Saigon in 1975 and Ho Chi Minh City in 2025, the 75-year-old veteran said that 50 years ago, the people were scattered, houses were dilapidated, and the streets were deserted. "Now the streets are bustling, and the roads are well-maintained. Rising from ruin like this is a tremendous achievement for the city and the country," Mr. Chau observed.

Veteran Ha Minh Ngach, now 81 years old, traveled from Phu Tho province to Ho Chi Minh City to revisit his old battlefields and comrades. He participated in the battles of Kon Tum, Gia Lai , and Phuoc Long during the Central Highlands Campaign, and later took part in the takeover of Saigon.

"Returning to Ho Chi Minh City these days, I'm overwhelmed with emotion. The city has developed tremendously and is so beautiful. I'm very proud to be here and will stay in the city to visit some places after the grand celebration," Mr. Ngach said.

A large crowd of people watched the parade and march celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country. Photo: QUOC THANG

Ms. Nguyen Hanh Tuyen (from Quang Nam province) expressed her pride that her four-generation family was present in Ho Chi Minh City on this occasion. "I am very happy to be immersed in the joyful, heroic, and vibrant atmosphere of the April 30th National Day celebration. The celebration has brought to each participant and witness a positive energy, a spirit full of pride, and a feeling of happiness at living in a peaceful and developing country," Ms. Nguyen Hanh Tuyen shared.

Ms. Nguyen Tu Ngan (residing in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City) said she was very impressed with the commemoration ceremony, parade, and march on April 30th. From 10 PM on April 29th, she and her group of friends were present at Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, waiting to watch the parade and march.

While waiting for the parade to pass, everyone chatted and socialized happily. Despite being strangers, they shared food, drinks, and seating arrangements. Everyone reminded each other to sit down so that those behind could see the parade; they also reminded each other to clean up trash and maintain public hygiene.

According to Ms. Ngan, the activities at the April 30th commemoration not only remind us of the past and look towards the future of the country, but also provide a precious opportunity for Vietnamese people to connect and love each other more. "I feel proud and love my country even more, and I cherish the value of peace and unity even more," she shared.

Present at the Ben Thanh Market area to watch the parade, Julie Thompson, from the UK, expressed that her trip to Ho Chi Minh City this time was a "lucky coincidence." "I had no idea Vietnam was holding such a large celebration until I arrived here. On the morning of April 30th, witnessing tens of thousands of people gathered, the red flag with a yellow star fluttering everywhere, and the sounds of the marching troops, I was truly overwhelmed and incredibly excited," she said.

Mr. Yang Xiao Bo, General Director of Minh Viet Company (Binh Duong province), arrived in Ho Chi Minh City at 0:00 AM on April 30th to watch the parade. He said he was very excited and surprised by the atmosphere of the April 30th National Day celebrations in Vietnam. Mr. Yang Xiao Bo exclaimed: "I really like this atmosphere. The country and people of Vietnam are wonderful!"

A message of peace and friendship.

Information about the April 30th celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City appeared on a number of major international news outlets.

The Associated Press reported that the main message of the April 30th celebrations was peace and friendship. The news agency also vividly described the atmosphere of the parade and march on the morning of April 30th. People plastered national flags on their faces; they camped overnight on the city's central streets. Meanwhile, Xinhua News Agency published a photo report capturing images of people in Ho Chi Minh City celebrating the grand occasion with red shirts bearing the yellow star flag and holding national flags in their hands.

Many American media outlets also published images of the parade and march along with key information about the April 30th celebrations. The quote, "Vietnam is one country, the Vietnamese people are one nation. Rivers may dry up, mountains may wear away, but this truth will never change," by President Ho Chi Minh, which General Secretary To Lam reiterated in his speech on the morning of April 30th, was cited by these media outlets.

A. Thu

Source: https://nld.com.vn/an-tuong-tu-hao-196250501230217648.htm