Coming to Ho Chi Minh City to attend the grand ceremony.

The first military parade and march in history.

In recent days, people in Ho Chi Minh City have been continuously sharing images of fighter jets and military helicopters flying low over the city. Initially surprised and intrigued, their emotions gradually shifted to excitement and anticipation upon learning that this was a training exercise by the Air Defense and Air Force Command, Ministry of National Defense , in preparation for the parade and march commemorating the 50th anniversary of national reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025).

Helicopters conduct flight training over Ho Chi Minh City. This year's April 30th celebrations feature a military parade and procession as one of the highlights, serving both local residents and domestic and international tourists.

PHOTO: NGOC DUONG

Ms. Nguyen My Chi (residing in Binh Thanh District) said that in the past few mornings, she has been eagerly awaiting the helicopter's appearance to take photos, videos, and share the impressive moments with family and friends. "This is the first time I've seen helicopters flying so low. Sometimes, while walking on the street, I could clearly hear the roar of the helicopter and fighter jet engines, as if they were right above my head. At first, it was strange and surprising. I remember my grandmother used to tell stories about how, during the war, hearing the sound of planes made people terrified, and they would grab their children and run for shelter. But now, sitting here, hearing the planes right above my head, I'm happy to be here watching, and eagerly awaiting April 30th to see the parade. It's the same sound of planes, but after 50 years, it evokes two completely different emotions. I suddenly feel so happy to have been born and raised in peacetime, and grateful to our ancestors who shed their blood and bones to win independence and freedom for the nation," Ms. My Chi shared emotionally.

Originally from Phu Yen province, My Chi has lived and worked in Ho Chi Minh City for 11 years. Instead of scrambling to "hunt" for tickets to go home like every year, she said, "No one can pull me away from the city because I can't miss the parade. In 50 years, I might not even be here to witness that meaningful moment. I plan to take the metro to Ba Son, then walk to Le Duan Street to watch the fireworks, sharing the joy and excitement of welcoming the grand celebration with everyone. I'm very thrilled," My Chi continued.

Helicopters conduct flight rehearsals over Ho Chi Minh City in preparation for the April 30th celebrations.

PHOTO: NGOC DUONG

For those born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, the emotion is even greater. Hai Anh (from Cu Chi District), whose family has been rooted in Saigon for three generations, recounts that her grandmother, nearly 90 years old, has been constantly asking Hai Anh to open Facebook so she can see pictures of helicopters. When she learned about the parade, her grandmother insisted on being taken to see it. Hai Anh said: "Just seeing the helicopters brought tears to her eyes, because my grandfather was one of the naval soldiers deployed to Saigon to participate in the resistance and died before witnessing the liberation of the South. Therefore, she was very moved. During the recent metro opening, I took her to experience it, and she cried because the city has become so modern. So, this year, my whole family will not travel for the April 30th holiday ; we will stay in the city to watch the parade and celebrate this historic event together."

According to the plan approved by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the national-level commemoration ceremony, including a parade and march, is scheduled to take place at 6:30 AM on April 30th on Le Duan Street, in front of the Reunification Hall. The parade is expected to begin at 8:00 AM. The program includes various elements such as a 21-gun salute to the national anthem; a celebratory aerial display; a parade of floats displaying the national emblem, Party flags, and national flags; a float carrying a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh, and floats symbolizing the 50th anniversary of the reunification of the country; parades of military and militia units; parades of police units; and marches of civilian groups. The Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and People's Committee have agreed to carefully study and design the parade and march to highlight the iconic image of the five columns of troops advancing towards Saigon 50 years ago. The implementing units were tasked with making the most of technology, arranging locations for people to watch the aircraft demonstrations and celebrations, parades, and marches, and installing LED screens so that people could follow the program regardless of where the aircraft were located.

Tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City in the days leading up to the April 30th holiday.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

A series of record-breaking art programs combined with attractive tourism.

Besides the highly anticipated parade and march, this year's April 30th - May 1st holiday in Ho Chi Minh City also offers residents and tourists the most spectacular and high-level artistic and cultural "feasts" ever seen.

According to the plan from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, the artistic fireworks display will take place from 9 PM to 9:15 PM at approximately 30 locations on the Saigon River, District 1, and Thu Duc City. Simultaneously, 10,500 drones will be mobilized to create an impressive show. The organizers are also preparing a dossier to propose establishing a Vietnamese record for the number of drones flying simultaneously, far exceeding the more than 4,000 drones previously used in some localities. In addition, the "National Reunification Day" event will take place on Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, along the Saigon River from Ba Son Bridge to Nha Rong Wharf, starting at 7 PM with a series of artistic performances and water sports activities.

In addition to the main programs, the Department of Culture and Sports proposed organizing several accompanying events such as the "Ho Chi Minh City Photography Road," an Olympic Run for Public Health with 4,000 participants, and mass sports performances with the participation of 1,400 people. In April and May, Ho Chi Minh City will also organize a colorful festival on the evenings of April 19th and 26th, and May 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st. The event will take place from 7 PM to 9:30 PM at the square in front of the City People's Committee headquarters, Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, and the Saigon River. Activities include a drone show with 1,000-2,000 drones and artistic fireworks displays, funded through social contributions. The festival also features symphony concerts, 3D light mapping, street performances of music and dance, traditional folk music performances on the river, parades of lantern boats and sailboats, as well as water jet shows, Flyboarding, paddleboarding, and paragliding, creating a vibrant festival atmosphere.

Tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City in the days leading up to the April 30th holiday.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

Previously, in response to the celebratory activities, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism organized a competition titled "Designing a tourism program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and National Reunification," and received many impressive tour and route designs that highlighted the unique characteristics of Ho Chi Minh City associated with this momentous national event.

Notable award-winning products include: the "From the Tet Offensive to the Great Victory" tour by Penguin Travel Service Joint Stock Company, which takes tourists back in time through prominent historical sites, recreating the development journey of Ho Chi Minh City; the "50th Anniversary Train Journey: Connecting Cultural Regions" program by Vietravel, which takes tourists to different destinations with a multi-modal journey including 5 of the most beautiful trains in Vietnam, cruises on Ha Long Bay and Nha Trang, and enjoying the finest Vietnamese cuisine as they travel through various regions of the country. Especially noteworthy is the momentous event commemorating the 50th anniversary of national reunification, at 11:30 AM on April 30th, where tourists can be present at the Independence Palace historical site at the momentous occasion of national pride...

The tour program "Legends of the Special Forces Heroes of Rung Sac - The Iron Land of Ho Chi Minh City" by Vietluxtour Travel Joint Stock Company will take visitors back to history with destinations such as the Rung Sac Historical Site, the base of the 10th Rung Sac Regiment, associated with the battles of the special forces from 1966 to April 30, 1975; Can Gio Monkey Island; Rung Sac Martyrs' Cemetery; Cu Chi Tunnels… Or the tour "Saigon Commandos - Legendary Tunnels" by the Penguins Team takes visitors back to history, exploring the intricately designed underground structures in the heart of the city. Walking through the tunnels and listening to the heroic stories of the commando soldiers, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of a glorious period in the nation's history and the brave people who created legends right in the heart of enemy territory…

According to Nguyen Cam Tu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center, Ho Chi Minh City is a place where every landmark, every street corner, every moment can become a memorable mark in the hearts of both locals and tourists. Therefore, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of national reunification, marking the continuous development of tourism in the city, the Department of Tourism and related units are honoring 50 distinctive symbols – landmarks that contribute to making Ho Chi Minh City an integrated, culturally diverse, vibrant, yet also deeply endearing and affectionate city. These include historical sites such as the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, the Thu Ngu flagpole, the City People's Committee headquarters, the Saigon Commando historical site system, and Nha Rong Wharf. Other cultural and spiritual sites include the Ong Ba Chieu Mausoleum, water puppetry, and traditional Vietnamese music. Culinary sites include sidewalk cafes, Saigon-style banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches), and broken rice dishes.

These symbols are not only modern structures or famous landmarks, but also historical sites, traditional cultural values, or familiar dishes that have accompanied many generations of locals and tourists.

Flight tickets to Ho Chi Minh City are selling like hotcakes.

According to travel companies, this year Ho Chi Minh City has many promotional activities related to the 50th anniversary of national reunification, leading to a surge in bookings for city tours from other provinces and cities. The main target groups are companies organizing events such as Party membership ceremonies, historical visits, and especially inbound tourists (international visitors to Vietnam) registering for tours exploring Saigon past and present (including metro visits). This trend is also clearly reflected in air travel plans; for flights to and from Ho Chi Minh City during the April 30th and May 1st holidays alone, airlines have planned over 5,000 flights, averaging 462 flights per day, providing 1.03 million seats. This is the largest flight route during the holiday period, a 21% increase compared to the previous year.

Ho Chi Minh City will organize an artistic fireworks display at approximately 30 locations along the Saigon River during the April 30th - May 1st holiday.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

High demand has led to soaring airfare prices. While in previous years, flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi were significantly more expensive, this year the return journey is equally exorbitant. For example, a family of three traveling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City for the April 30th holiday on April 29th would cost at least 8 million VND for a one-way ticket. This is assuming they fly at 4:30 AM with Vietjet; a more convenient midday or afternoon flight with the same airline would cost between 2.9 and 3.7 million VND, equivalent to the price of a one-way ticket from Ho Chi Minh City to the North during Tet (Vietnamese New Year).

On the same day, Bamboo Airways had no flights from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City with fares below 3.1 million VND/one-way, equivalent to the price of Vietravel Airlines. Some Bamboo Airways flights were sold out of economy class tickets, with only business class seats available at over 5.6 million VND/one-way. Vietnam Airlines deployed its fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft to serve this route, covering all time slots, with plenty of empty seats, but none were priced below 3.8 million VND/one-way. Many flights also only had business class seats available, priced at nearly 9 million VND/one-way.

From Hai Phong, flights to Ho Chi Minh City during the holiday season cost no less than 2 million VND/one-way, even for early morning or late night flights. Most other flights throughout the day with Vietjet and Vietnam Airlines cost over 2.6 million VND/one-way.

A survey conducted by Thanh Nien newspaper at this time shows that airfares from other locations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City during the April 30th holiday have not changed much, still fluctuating around over 1 million VND/one-way ticket depending on the route.

To prepare for the massive influx of passengers during the peak holiday season, the T3 domestic passenger terminal at Tan Son Nhat Airport is racing against time for its grand opening on April 30th. The modern T3 terminal, along with its integrated access roads and overpasses, is expected to serve nearly 80% of domestic flights to and from Tan Son Nhat Airport, corresponding to the market share of domestic flights operated by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet, as planned by the airport operator. The majority of people traveling through Tan Son Nhat Airport during this holiday period will be using the new terminal infrastructure.

According to a report from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, in the first three months of the year, the number of international visitors to Ho Chi Minh City is estimated at 1.635 million, an increase of 18.2% compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 19.2% of the 2025 plan; domestic visitors are estimated at 8.574 million, an increase of 6.3%, reaching 19.1% of the annual plan. Total revenue of the city's tourism industry after three months is estimated at VND 56,662 billion, an increase of 26.7% compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 21.8% of the 2025 plan. The city's tourism industry aims to welcome 8.5 million international visitors this year, an increase of more than 40% compared to 2024, and revenue is also expected to increase by nearly 37%, aiming for VND 260,000 billion.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/den-tphcm-du-dai-le-185250329222603745.htm