Laos and Cambodia will participate in the April 30 parade in Ho Chi Minh City.

This morning, the Central Steering Committee for the celebration of major holidays and important historical events of the country in 3 years held a press conference on activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of national reunification.

In his opening remarks, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh shared that these days, across the country and especially in Ho Chi Minh City, people are deeply feeling the atmosphere of excitement, enthusiasm, joy and pride.

It is not only the emotion of millions of hearts in the country but also the sharing and joy of international friends for the country's major events.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh

The Deputy Minister said that this is an opportunity for every Vietnamese person to recall the historical moment exactly 50 years ago - a sacred moment that has entered the nation's history as one of the most brilliant pages.

Mr. Le Hai Binh informed that in the last week of April, a series of large-scale cultural, artistic and festival events will take place in Ho Chi Minh City. This is not only a city event, but also an event of national stature and international significance.

Vice Chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City Tran Thi Dieu Thuy said that the national celebration will be held at 6am on April 30 on Le Duan Street, District 1 and some central streets of the city.

The parade program, chaired by the Ministry of National Defense , includes 4 parade blocks of the ceremonial block; 36 parade blocks; 12 parade blocks. There are expected to be parade blocks of Laos and Cambodia in the celebration.

"The parade block is also special with 7 double-decker buses. One bus carries armed forces heroes, heroic Vietnamese mothers, the remaining 6 buses carry veterans from 62 provinces and cities," Ms. Thuy shared.

The city will install 20 LED screens on many major streets for residents and tourists to watch; a series of advertising and propaganda screens across the city will lead the celebration at exactly 6:30 a.m.

Vice Chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City Tran Thi Dieu Thuy

The city has 62,000 hotel rooms (not including other types of rooms) to meet the needs of tourists. However, Ms. Thuy said that all hotels around the parade area have been fully booked for the past 2 weeks.

On the evening before the celebration, areas such as Le Van Tam Park, Tao Dan Park, April 30 Park... are under security protection so people will not be allowed to access them.

The city's vice chairman suggested that the "most beautiful area" for people to watch is the park across the river in Thu Duc City - a large area with a grandstand to watch live cannon firing and air show.

General Secretary To Lam will read a commemorative speech.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized that the April 30th celebration received great international attention, with more than 20 delegations from countries confirming their attendance (including 3 high-level delegations, 5 ministerial delegations, about 15 political parties from Asian, African, and American countries); more than 100 delegates from peace movement organizations, anti-war movements, etc.

Ho Chi Minh City has also invited more than 20 localities in sister countries with the city and many outstanding foreign individuals.

For the first time, there will be a parade of 120 outstanding overseas Vietnamese. More than 100 overseas Vietnamese from 25 countries and territories will attend the celebration, some of whom are over 90 years old.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also invited former war correspondents and foreigners who have contributed to Vietnam to attend the commemoration. Among them were relatives of Mr. Morrison - the American who burned himself in front of the Pentagon to protest the war 60 years ago, a familiar character in To Huu's poem "Emily, my child!"

Ms. Dinh Thi Mai, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission, said that before the ceremony takes place, there will be a 30-minute art program, including a gun dance by the army, a drum performance by the police, and a number of art performances by Ho Chi Minh City.

After the flag-raising ceremony and introduction of delegates, there will be commemorative speeches by Party and State leaders, speeches by representatives of veterans, and by representatives of the young generation of Vietnam. General Secretary To Lam is expected to deliver a commemorative speech.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/lao-campuchia-se-tham-gia-dieu-binh-30-4-tai-tphcm-2392502.html