[Photo] Parade to celebrate 50 years of national reunification

On the morning of April 30, in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), the Central Executive Committee of the Party, the National Assembly, the President, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City solemnly held the Ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025).

Attending the ceremony were comrades: General Secretary To Lam; former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh; Politburo member, President Luong Cuong; former Politburo members, former Presidents: Nguyen Minh Triet, Truong Tan Sang; Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; former Politburo member, former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; Politburo member, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man; former Politburo members, former National Assembly Chairmen: Nguyen Van An, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan; Politburo member, Standing member of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu, Head of the Central Steering Committee for the celebration of major holidays and important historical events of the country in 2025; former Politburo members, former Standing members of the Secretariat: Phan Dien, Le Hong Anh, Tran Quoc Vuong; Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien.

Also attending the ceremony were Politburo members, former Politburo members; Party Central Committee Secretary, former Party Central Committee Secretary; Party Central Committee members, former Party Central Committee members; comrades: Vice President, former Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, former Deputy Prime Minister, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, members of the Central Steering Committee to celebrate major holidays and important historical events in 2025; leaders of central and Ho Chi Minh City departments, ministries, branches, mass organizations, leaders of a number of provinces and centrally-run cities; revolutionary veterans, heroic Vietnamese mothers, heroes of the People's Armed Forces, heroes of labor, generals in the people's armed forces; representatives of soldiers, veterans, former people's police, former youth volunteers, former frontline workers, and forces participating in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign; representatives of families of war invalids, martyrs, families with meritorious services to the country.

General Secretary To Lam , leaders and former leaders of the Party and State, and international guests attended the ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

Also attending the ceremony were high-ranking international delegations: High-ranking delegation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic led by Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic; High-ranking delegation of the Kingdom of Cambodia led by Mr. Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian People's Party, President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia; Delegation of the Party and State of the Republic of Cuba led by Mr. Salvador Valdes Mesa, Vice President of the Republic of Cuba; Delegation of the Republic of Belarus led by Mr. Ipatau Vadzim, Vice President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Belarus; Delegation of the Party and State of the People's Republic of China led by Mr. Bui Kim Giai, Minister of Demobilized Military Affairs; Ministers, Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Ministries of Defense of countries, political parties, international organizations, Ambassadors, Heads of representative agencies, defense attaches of countries in Vietnam and many international friends who have supported Vietnam in the cause of struggle, national liberation and national construction.

The celebration includes the following parts: Art program, flag salute ceremony, speeches by Party and State leaders, speeches by representatives of veterans, representatives of the young generation of Vietnam, parade program, and ends with the dove release ceremony.

The celebration began with a flag-raising ceremony amid the roar of 21 cannon shots by the artillery team at Bach Dang Wharf (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City). (Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac)

The opening ceremony of the celebration was an elaborately staged art program with the theme: "Bright Vietnam" hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City Organizing Committee for Celebrating Major Holidays, in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Public Security.

The program includes a drum performance with the theme: "The Epic of Victory", performed by 1,000 actors who are students of the Drum Art Troupe of the People's Police Academy - Ministry of Public Security; an art formation with the theme: "The Country is Full of Joy" performed by artists and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army; and many art performances recreating the heroic struggle for independence, construction and development of the country.

A performance in the art program "Bright Vietnam". (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Fireworks firing ceremony during the flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification. (Photo: VNA)

After the flag-raising ceremony, in a solemn atmosphere, General Secretary To Lam delivered an important speech, emphasizing the great significance of the victory on April 30, 1975, affirming the role of national unity and the aspiration to develop the country in the new period.

General Secretary To Lam speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

On this occasion, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, General Secretary To Lam awarded the title of "Hero of Labor" to the Party Committee, Government and people of Ho Chi Minh City for their outstanding achievements in preventing and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and restoring socio-economic development, contributing to the cause of building socialism and defending the Fatherland.

General Secretary To Lam, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, presented the title “Hero of Labor” to the Party Committee, government and people of Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

After the State-level ceremony, there was a large-scale parade with the participation of 38 armed forces (25 army and militia forces; 13 police forces) and 12 parade groups representing mass organizations... Notably, the parade groups of the Chinese, Lao and Cambodian armies also participated in the program, demonstrating the spirit of solidarity and friendship between countries.

Below are some pictures and introductions from the Organizing Committee about some groups participating in the parade to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification:

The parade began with a performance by the Mi-8T, Mi-17, and Mi-171 helicopter squadrons carrying the Party and national flags and the fighter squadron of the Vietnam People's Army in the sky above central Ho Chi Minh City.

Su-30MK2 fighters and Yak-130 multi-role combat trainers performed complex technical maneuvers, with the focus on the Su-30MK2's heat trap release maneuver.

Squadrons of the Vietnam People's Air Force fly over the Fatherland's sky. (Photo: Thanh Nien Newspaper)

Fighter jets drop heat traps in the sky of Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: Tuoi Tre Newspaper)

Next, the ceremonial car block including the car model of the National Emblem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; the car carrying the portrait of President Ho Chi Minh; the car symbolizing the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification entered the ceremony stage.

The model car with the National Emblem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam placed on the symbol of the Lac bird, flying up, expressing will and aspiration. Accompanying the car holding colorful silk ribbons were 54 outstanding students, symbolizing the strong solidarity of 54 ethnic groups - the invincible strength forged through thousands of years of building and defending the country, crystallizing into the miraculous strength of our army and people that created the Great Victory in the Spring of 1975.

Model car of the National Emblem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. (Photo: VNA).

Portrait of President Ho Chi Minh during the parade. (Photo: Tuoi Tre Newspaper)

President Ho Chi Minh, the genius leader, founder, leader and trainer of our Party, National Liberation Hero, World Cultural Celebrity, Beloved Father of the People's Armed Forces. He paved the way, showed the way and directly led the Vietnamese revolution from one victory to another, including the Great Spring Victory of 1975, liberating the South and reunifying the country.

Uncle Ho has passed away, but his life, career, ideology, morality and style will forever shine, illuminating the way for the Vietnamese people to enter a new era of development, an era of national growth.

The Party flag and national flag passed through the stage. (Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac)

The fluttering Party and national flags symbolize the ideals and belief in victory; the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam; the strength of the great national unity bloc, inspired and nurtured by history, burning today and shining tomorrow.

That is the source and strength for our entire Party, people and army to successfully carry out the cause of building and firmly defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.

The block of officers representing 5 armies advancing to liberate Saigon: Army Corps 1 (North), Army Corps 2 (Southeast); Army Corps 3 (Northwest), Army Corps 4 (East); Group 232 (Southwest). (Photo: VNA).

50 years ago, in the historic days of April, five armies, together with armed forces and mass political forces, simultaneously entered Saigon: to the North was the 1st Corps, to the Southeast was the 2nd Corps; to the Northwest was the 3rd Corps, to the East was the 4th Corps; to the Southwest was the 232nd Corps.

Carrying out the order: "faster, faster; bolder, bolder, seize every hour, every minute; rush to the front; liberate the South, Determined battle and total victory", the five armies attacked straight into the last lair, completely collapsing the puppet regime in Saigon, contributing to the Great Victory of Spring 1975.

Block honoring Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, Labor Heroes and historical witnesses. (Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

The bloc honoring the People's Armed Forces Heroes, Labor Heroes and historical witnesses, including 350 delegates, sat on 7 double-decker buses designed in red and blue colors, evoking the image of the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam on the day of total victory, and the names of provinces and cities across the country were written on the body of the buses.

The participation of the Bloc Honoring Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, Labor Heroes, and typical historical witnesses is deeply symbolic of respecting historical memories, paying tribute to heroic martyrs, spreading and inspiring patriotism, the desire for peace, and national spirit through generations.

Veterans bloc participates in the parade. (Photo: Dai Doan Ket Newspaper)

Vietnamese veterans are historical witnesses, those who devoted their youth, fought bravely and steadfastly. With the spirit of “cutting through Truong Son to save the country”, in the resistance war against the US, to save the country, Vietnamese veterans contributed to the Great Victory of Spring 1975.

In the new period, continuing to promote the qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", the tradition of "loyalty, solidarity, exemplary, innovative", veterans are always exemplary in life, actively participating in building a strong and comprehensive Association; being a reliable support for the Party and the government; being a solid bridge connecting the flesh and blood relationship between the Party, the State and the people.

Vietnam Fatherland Front at the 50th Anniversary of Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day. (Photo: Dai Doan Ket Newspaper)

During the resistance wars, the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam and the Alliance of National, Democratic and Peace Forces of Vietnam promoted the role of uniting all classes of people for the goal of liberating the South and unifying the country.

Today, the Vietnam Fatherland Front continues the tradition of patriotism, solidarity, and creativity, taking the goal of national construction and development as the driving force and similarity to gather all classes of people, through patriotic emulation campaigns and movements; performing the core political role in building and promoting the strength of great national unity; representing and protecting the legitimate and legal rights and interests of the people.

Overseas Vietnamese community. (Screenshot of live TV program: Mai Anh)

Currently, there are millions of Vietnamese people living, studying and working in 130 countries and territories. Over the years, overseas Vietnamese have actively contributed to the country's development achievements, are an inseparable part of the Vietnamese ethnic community and are increasingly growing, playing a high role and prestige in the host countries' societies, always preserving and promoting traditional cultural identity and deeply integrating in the political, economic and social fields, being an important bridge between Vietnam and friends around the world.

The naval officer block represents the core force protecting the sovereignty of the sea, islands and continental shelf of the Fatherland. (Photo: Thanh Nien Newspaper)

The naval officer block represents the core force protecting the sovereignty of the sea, islands and continental shelf of the Fatherland. After 70 years of building, fighting and growing, the Vietnam People's Navy has been trained, developed and grown stronger, won glorious victories, made many outstanding achievements; chased away and shot down many American planes, creating the legend of the Ho Chi Minh trail at sea; contributed greatly to the victory of the national liberation struggle; built the tradition of "Fighting bravely, being resourceful and creative, mastering the sea, determined to fight and win".

Currently, the Vietnam People's Navy is the core force performing tasks on the front line, in difficult and arduous places, on remote islands; always holding a gun firmly, ready to accept sacrifices, firmly protecting the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Female commando unit. (Photo: Thanh Nien Newspaper)

The female Special Forces represent the brave spirit and silent sacrifice, the resounding achievements of the Saigon Special Forces during the resistance war. During the resistance war against the US to save the country; the people of the South often called the brave, courageous, and tenacious female soldiers as female Special Forces; the girls sacrificed their most beautiful youth, secretly building and developing forces right in the enemy's heart; with the art of "divine, supernatural" warfare, intelligence, creativity; the secret, bold, and unexpected way of attacking the headquarters and important bases of the US and the puppet government, the female Special Forces terrified the enemy, contributing to the Great Victory of Spring 1975.

Female Peacekeeping Soldiers. (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnam Women's Peacekeeping Force, representing the Vietnamese military force participating in international missions, demonstrates Vietnam's commitment to global peace, spreads the cultural values ​​of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", and introduces the image of the beautiful, peace-loving country and people of Vietnam to international friends. Over 10 years of development and growth, the Vietnam People's Army Peacekeeping Force has successfully completed its missions at conflict hotspots in the Central African Republic, South Sudan... and the United Nations Headquarters; leaving a good impression and sentiment; contributing to enhancing Vietnam's prestige and position in the international arena.

United Nations Peacekeeping Police Officers' Male Block. (Live TV program screenshot: Mai Anh)

The United Nations Peacekeeping Police force was established to ensure security and safety for personnel and assets, support the operations of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission and humanitarian relief activities, and enforce the protection of human rights. Over the past time, the United Nations Peacekeeping Police officers have overcome difficulties, promoted their qualities and abilities to successfully complete their assigned tasks, contributing to spreading the beautiful image of the country and people of Vietnam as friendly and peace-loving; highly appreciated by the United Nations, international organizations, and peacekeeping partner countries.

Next was the parade of the military forces of China, Laos, and Cambodia. These are neighboring countries with traditional friendship and close ties with Vietnam in the history of the struggle for national liberation, building and defending the Fatherland. The participation of the military parade forces of neighboring countries demonstrates the defense foreign policy of the Party, State, Central Military Commission, and Ministry of National Defense, demonstrating the spirit of pure international solidarity and Vietnam's appreciation for the support, solidarity, and assistance of international friends.

Soldiers of the Lao army enter the ceremony platform. (Photo: VnExpress)

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. (Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac)

The Honor Guard of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. (Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac)

The great victory of Spring 1975 was a brilliant milestone, one of the most glorious feats in the history of building and defending the country of the nation and "went down in world history as a great feat of the 20th century, an event of great international importance and profound contemporary significance". (Photo: VietNamNet Newspaper)

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/anh-le-dieu-binh-dieu-hanh-ky-niem-50-nam-thong-nhat-dat-nuoc-213121.html