Parade, majestic history from National Day September 2, 1945 to April 30, 2025

Throughout our nation's history, we have witnessed many parades and marches on important occasions.

The solemn parades

On September 2, 1945, at Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, opening the tradition of rallies and parades on National Day.

In anniversaries, the State often organizes solemn military parades. Typically, in the celebration of the 70th National Day (September 2, 2015), about 30,000 people from the armed forces and organizations participated in the parade at Ba Dinh Square.

The ceremony began with a 21-gun salute. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people sang the national anthem in unison under the fluttering red flag with a yellow star.

Diễu binh, diễu hành dịp 50 năm đất nước thống nhất: Xúc động và tự hào - Ảnh 1. — Rally, parade, march to celebrate 70th National Day September 2, 2015

That was also the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954). Immediately after the victory, all the newly liberated areas held jubilant rallies to celebrate. The image of the "Determination to Fight, Determination to Win" flag flying on the roof of General De Castries' bunker at the Dien Bien Phu stronghold on May 7, 1954 has become a historical symbol.

Decades later, the Dien Bien Phu Victory has always been solemnly commemorated. In particular, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary (May 7, 2024), for the first time, a large-scale parade was held right at the "old battlefield" of Dien Bien Phu. The ceremony gathered more than 12,000 people to participate in the parade, attracting tens of thousands of ethnic people and tourists from all over the country to cheer and join in the jubilant atmosphere of the great festival.

Diễu binh, diễu hành dịp 50 năm đất nước thống nhất: Xúc động và tự hào - Ảnh 2. — The frontline laborers in the celebration, parade, and march of the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory on May 7, 2024

Another special milestone is the occasion of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi (October 10, 2010). The event marks a historic millennium, so the 2010 parade has been meticulously prepared for many years, on a record scale.

On the morning of October 10, 2010, at Ba Dinh Square, about 10,000 people from the military and the masses participated in the majestic parade celebrating Thang Long's thousandth anniversary.

And especially April 30, 1975 - the day the country was reunified. The historical event was when at noon on April 30, 1975, the liberation flag flew on the roof of the Independence Palace, signaling that the war was over and the country was reunited.

Two weeks later, the revolutionary government held a grand victory celebration in Saigon. This was one of the most special parades in history. Because the event took place right in the middle of the war, everything was still in disarray, but the spirit of the army and people was filled with the spirit of victory.

On the morning of May 15, 1975, millions of Saigon - Gia Dinh residents flocked to the area in front of the City Military Management Committee headquarters to attend the rally and parade to celebrate the great victory. Many Party and State leaders were present on the stage, witnessing that important historical moment.

Diễu binh, diễu hành dịp 50 năm đất nước thống nhất: Xúc động và tự hào - Ảnh 3. — Rally to celebrate the launch of the Saigon City Military Management Committee on May 7, 1975

The liberation army marched through the streets, amidst resounding cheers and a forest of flags and flowers, marking a great national festival, the day North and South reunited after 21 years of long resistance war.

Since then, April 30th has become the anniversary of the country's reunification. On many occasions of the year, there are solemn parades and marches to review history. Typically, on the morning of April 30th, 2015, the parade to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the country's reunification took place on Le Duan Street, in front of the Reunification Hall (Independence Palace, District 1), with the participation of about 6,000 people from the military, police and the masses.

April 30th parade in Ho Chi Minh City on the occasion of 50 years of national reunification

In 2025, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), a national parade will take place in Ho Chi Minh City, right at the historical site - in front of the Independence Palace this morning, April 30.

The parade was on a very large scale, with a 21-gun salute, military aircraft flying in to welcome and tens of thousands of people participating in the military and civilian blocs.

Each grand parade is not just a state ceremony, but has truly become a historical moment, leaving strong emotions and deep impressions in the hearts of the people.

The 50th anniversary of the country's reunification is even more special. Right from the practice sessions, preliminary rehearsals and final rehearsals, the parade atmosphere was already bustling.

Thousands of people lined both sides of the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, waving red flags with yellow stars to welcome the parade. Many people arrived very early, patiently waiting for hours to choose a good location, eagerly awaiting the moment the parade blocks passed by.

Diễu binh, diễu hành dịp 50 năm đất nước thống nhất: Xúc động và tự hào - Ảnh 4. — Panoramic view of Bach Dang Wharf and Nguyen Hue Walking Street (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) seen from a helicopter, crowded with people during the rehearsal for the parade to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification.

Diễu binh, diễu hành dịp 50 năm đất nước thống nhất: Xúc động và tự hào - Ảnh 5. — The parade blocks will march through the main stage on Le Duan Street, witnessed by leaders of the Party, State, Army, diplomatic guests and a large number of people.

Diễu binh, diễu hành dịp 50 năm đất nước thống nhất: Xúc động và tự hào - Ảnh 6. — Panoramic view of the parade rehearsal on the morning of April 27, seen from the camera angle at the Independence Palace area. Forces move through the city center, thousands of people wave and welcome.

People of all ages, from children to white-haired old men, when witnessing the parade, were filled with pride. Pride in a nation that has gone through countless hardships but still stands tall, pride in living in peace and freedom, pride in the heroic traditions of the nation, and pride in being present, in unison, under the glorious flag of the Fatherland.

In many people's memories, the image of Uncle Ho's soldiers is always associated with the people, from the years of resistance war "sharing a bowl of rice and a blanket" to peacetime when natural disasters and the Covid-19 pandemic, soldiers sacrificed themselves to save people and help them unconditionally.

Therefore, every time there is a military parade, the relationship between the army and the people becomes stronger. The people proudly applaud the elite troops. In return, the soldiers are also proud to march in the loving arms of their compatriots.

Diễu binh, diễu hành dịp 50 năm đất nước thống nhất: Xúc động và tự hào - Ảnh 7. — Amidst the bustling military music and the colorful flags filling the streets, every Vietnamese person feels their hearts filled with emotion and pride.

Diễu binh, diễu hành dịp 50 năm đất nước thống nhất: Xúc động và tự hào - Ảnh 8. — The most beautiful and touching images in the parades are the images of the close bond between the army and the people, the soldiers "walking in the arms of the people".

Diễu binh, diễu hành dịp 50 năm đất nước thống nhất: Xúc động và tự hào - Ảnh 9. — Vietnamese hearts beat together with pride

Diễu binh, diễu hành dịp 50 năm đất nước thống nhất: Xúc động và tự hào - Ảnh 10. — The cavalry mobile police saluted as they walked through the crowd on Nguyen Hue Street, creating a majestic scene that moved many people to tears.

Diễu binh, diễu hành dịp 50 năm đất nước thống nhất: Xúc động và tự hào - Ảnh 11. — Bright smiles of the Northern female militia during a break to take photos with city residents on Le Duan Street

The parade is also a profound gratitude to generations of fathers and brothers who sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, while affirming national strength and firm belief in the future.

If right after the founding of the country in 1945, our army was still rudimentary, "saving the country with bare hands", today, Vietnam possesses many modern weapons. Therefore, each parade also carries a message encouraging people to have confidence in the country's development path.

Each historical period has its own call to arms and symbols, but in general they all exude the national spirit and the desire for peace and unity.

The parade to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of April 30, 2025 not only recreates historical marks, but also demonstrates the stature of a Vietnam entering a new era, powerful, modern and full of aspirations to rise.