'Absolutely cinematic' series of photos from the April 30th Ceremony

Helicopters perform a flag-raising performance in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. A flock of pigeons suddenly flies along during the 30-4 holiday season. Photo: Le Van Nuoi

Many excellent photojournalism and art photography works are born every minute on the media. The public happily calls them “absolutely cinematic” images (a phrase used to praise the wonderful, impressive, emotionally moving “movie-like” moments) that cover social networks.

Golden opportunity in photography

For both professional and amateur photojournalists and photographers, the photo shoot for the 30-4 Great Festival season started very early with a series of enthusiastic practice sessions of the parade units at the 935th Air Force Regiment (based in Bien Hoa City); joint training, preliminary rehearsal, and final rehearsal in Ho Chi Minh City; many flights of helicopters and fighter jets taking off from Bien Hoa Airport.... Photojournalist Duy Hieu (Tri Thuc Electronic Magazine) concluded: "Nearly 2 months, nearly 200GB of photos taken on the 30-4 theme. While working, I just wanted to finish the event quickly because I was so tired, but when I finished, I wanted to sit and look at the photos forever."

Children run through the parade block at the April 30th stage. Photo: Truong Thanh Tung (VNExpress)

On the day of the 30-4 Great Festival, all newsrooms and press agencies mobilized news reporters, photographers, and multimedia reporters to report from the afternoon before (April 29). Journalist Nguyen Quang Liem (Head of Multimedia Communications Department of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper) said: “About 35 reporters and collaborators of the newspaper divided themselves into working places and supported each other in small groups of 3-4 members. Assigned people to film, take photos, and write breaking news for the online newspaper. If the area does not have a network or is congested, some will find a way to go to nearby shops or houses to ask for a connection to transfer data to the editorial office.”

Defense journalist Mai Thanh Hai (Thanh Nien Newspaper) said: "More than 30 people worked on the event, watching every angle, every inch from the night of April 29, being stuck in the sea of ​​people was unbearable". Mr. Mai Thanh Hai is one of the few reporters such as Thanh Chieu (Sai ​​Gon Giai Phong Newspaper), Duyen Phan (Tuoi Tre)... who were allowed to board a helicopter flying over Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of April 30 to take photos and had an emotional experience: "The most meaningful thing was when flying over the stage, the flight crew and I all stood at attention to salute the flag. Seeing the people below waving, my eyes filled with tears".

Master of Journalism and Communications Vu Hai Son commented: “I really admire today’s young photographers - especially female photojournalists - who were born and raised in peacetime, working in a fiercely competitive and challenging environment. They are well-trained, have early access to advanced technology, are capable of working in all conditions, and are not afraid of difficulties when carrying recording equipment and supporting tools at the scene.”

Location, location and location

With a major event like the April 30th celebration, photojournalists need to have an optimal location to produce satisfactory and diverse photos. To reflect the event as fully as possible through images, media agencies arrange their staff in many different places. On the day of the celebration, the stage area has strict security conditions and the number of press cards issued here is very limited, gathering many experienced photojournalists taking internal photos from the Vietnam News Agency, the Government Electronic Information Portal, and the People's Army Newspaper; Viet Dung, Hoang Hung (Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper), Ngoc Duong (Thanh Nien Newspaper), Quang Dinh (Tuoi Tre Newspaper), Hoang Trieu (Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper), Thuan Van (Phap Luat Newspaper), Cong Nghia ( Dong Nai Newspaper), Duc Dong, Thanh Tung (VNExpress Electronic Newspaper), Nam Anh (Dan Tri Electronic Newspaper)...

More than 700 reporters from 106 domestic press agencies and 169 international reporters from 58 foreign units officially registered to work at the April 30, 2025 Great Festival.

Many photographers such as Pham Hoang Giam, Nam Tran (Tuoi Tre Newspaper), Doc Lap (Thanh Nien Newspaper), Huu Khoa (Dan Tri Newspaper)... registered their positions on the roof of the Independence Palace to take panoramic photos of the stage area. Meanwhile, Thuan Thang and Phuong Lam (ZNews) chose to go up to the high-rise buildings at the corner of Le Loi - Nguyen Hue Street to capture the moment the parade passed by the cheering crowd. After taking photos from high altitude, photographers such as Thuan Thang and Nam Tran moved their positions, jokingly saying that they "went down to the streets with the people" to continue taking photos in the bustling atmosphere of the streets.

While veteran photographer Nguyen A ran like a shuttle to take photos from the main stage on Le Duan Street to Bach Dang Wharf - the gathering point of a branch of the parade, Nguyen Tien Anh Tuan (Head of Dan Tri Media) took the trouble to stay on the rooftop of Vietnam's tallest building, Landmark 81, to take panoramic photos of Ho Chi Minh City as helicopters and fighter jets flew over.

The photographers’ “absolutely cinematic” shooting session during the 30-4 Great Festival ended with a fireworks display that was considered “the most brilliant and beautiful ever” in the sky of Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of 30-4. Finally, there were farewell images of the A50 parade units performing the mission at Bien Hoa station on the night of 1-5.

Female photojournalists Nguyet Nhi - Phuong Lam - Phuong Quyen - Duyen Phan working during the 30-4 National Day. Photo: Duyen Phan - Hieu Duy - Chau Tuan

With enthusiasm, daring, and a high sense of responsibility, domestic photojournalists show that they have an extremely modern and creative perspective on images and their photo works meet international press standards. "Looking back, we see that we have no regrets because we have lived our lives to the fullest with the profession, with the desire to contribute, serve readers and express ourselves" - photographer Tien Tuan shared.

The heroic days of the 30-4 Festival this year in Ho Chi Minh City left an impression of pride and deep patriotism in the hearts of every Vietnamese person and will be remembered forever through the most beautiful images and emotions!

Loyalty

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202505/loat-hinh-tuyet-doi-dien-anh-tu-dai-le-30-4-c832649/