Party and State leaders attend the rehearsal of the parade on the occasion of April 30

On the morning of April 27, the general rehearsal for the State-level military parade to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification was held in Ho Chi Minh City. Instead of being held in the evening like previous rehearsals, the general rehearsal before the official ceremony was held early in the morning.

The rehearsal was attended by Mr. Nguyen Trong Nghia, Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission; Mr. Tran Cam Tu, Standing Member of the Secretariat, Head of the Central Steering Committee for Celebrating the Country's Major Holidays; General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense; Mr. Nguyen Van Nen, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, along with representatives of leaders of central ministries, departments, and branches, leaders of the City Party Committee, People's Committee, departments, and branches of Ho Chi Minh City.

General Phan Van Giang and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen visited Vietnamese Heroic Mothers before the ceremony (Photo: Hai Long).

After the opening performance, delegates, guests, and the parade force solemnly performed the flag-raising ceremony at the main ceremony area on Le Duan Street. At the time of the flag-raising ceremony at the Reunification Hall, the artillery array at Bach Dang Wharf fired 21 cannon shots to the National Anthem.

After the speech and introduction of the delegates by Minister of Culture and Sports Nguyen Van Hung, representatives of veterans and young generations of Vietnam spoke in turn. The rehearsal of the parade and march of the forces was carried out immediately after.

Soldiers of the Army's Ceremonial Corps, the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, and the parade groups entered the main grandstand area on the morning of April 27 (Photo: Nam Anh).

The parade rehearsal to celebrate the 50th anniversary of National Reunification Day involved 23 military and militia groups; 13 police force groups; 12 mass parade groups; 4 ceremonial groups and 3 military groups from other countries.

In addition to the parades and marches, the rehearsal also saw the participation and coordination of helicopters, fighter jets and artillery. The helicopter and fighter jet formations departed from Bien Hoa airport and moved to Ho Chi Minh City.

During the rehearsal, the helicopter squadron performed the task of flying to raise the Party and national flags. The fighter jets performed aerobatic techniques and dropped heat traps.

From 3am the same day, the forces blocked off a number of roads around Le Duan Street (District 1) to prepare for the parade rehearsal. After this time, people entering and leaving the rehearsal area were strictly checked for security.

On the main streets, people arrived early, waiting all night to watch the rehearsal. Among them were many tourists from other localities, traveling thousands of kilometers to witness the "once in 50 years" experience.