As the grand celebration draws closer, detailed information about activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of national reunification is widely disseminated across various platforms, further fueling the excitement and anticipation of people in Ho Chi Minh City in particular and the entire country in general.
On the morning of April 18th, for the first time, a military helicopter of the Vietnam People's Army flew with the Vietnamese flag from Bien Hoa Airport (Dong Nai province) to the center of Ho Chi Minh City.
Photo: Mai Thanh Hai
"I have a date with the historic parade."
Yesterday (April 18th), more than 20 roads in the center of Ho Chi Minh City had their traffic flow adjusted to facilitate the rehearsal for the military parade and march on Le Duan Street (District 1). From morning, training helicopters hoisted the Party flag and the national flag, filling the sky and attracting the attention of Ho Chi Minh City residents. Hoang Anh, who came to Ho Chi Minh City from Hanoi for work, was moved to tears, quoting lyrics from the song "The Country's Complete Joy" to express his indescribable emotions as he witnessed the sight of 10 military helicopters "drawing" a band of flags across the city sky. "The country is filled with the joy of victory - We want to fly up and gaze at the majestic mountains and rivers - We want to shout and sing forever the heroic song of Vietnam," the lyrics resonated in his heart as he witnessed those sacred moments.
Sharing the same excitement for the day he could join the parade and experience the unprecedented grandeur, Mr. Doan Anh Duc (a resident of Thu Duc City) has collected at least five detailed maps of the routes the parade and march will take, along with information on routes that will need traffic adjustments to facilitate the ceremony. Two weeks ago, Mr. Duc meticulously planned to take the metro to the City Theater station early on April 30th, then walk to Le Duan Street, and then to Bach Dang Wharf to meet the parade via route number 2, making it easier to get back from the Ba Son metro station. However, as the day approached, Mr. Duc became increasingly hesitant because the images of the parade and cavalry from 35 armed forces and police units, along with the participation of students and workers, were being shared more and more, making him not want to miss any of the routes.
"As April 30th approaches, I feel increasingly excited and proud, both anxious about not being able to squeeze through the crowd and eagerly anticipating being part of that special atmosphere. For me, the parade is not just a solemn event, but also an opportunity for the younger generation like me to connect with history, to better understand and appreciate the sacrifices of previous generations. From what I've learned, this year's parade will feature many modern aircraft such as the Su-30MK2…; many branches of the military with new equipment. In addition, there's a branch I particularly like, the airborne assault force, so I'm very excited. Since my family members all work far away, this is also an opportunity for everyone to reunite, chat, and learn more about the country's history, as well as witness firsthand the advancements in our military," shared Mr. Doan Anh Duc.
People in Ho Chi Minh City are eagerly awaiting the military parade and procession on April 30th.
Photo: Nhat Thinh
Across social media platforms, events like "Going to watch the April 30th parade" are constantly being organized by numerous groups, attracting tens of thousands of participants. Every day, members exchange and share new images and information about the event; initially, they arrange to meet at 5 AM, then change it to 4 AM, and then excitedly make plans to buy hand flags and shirts with the red flag and yellow star... It's clear that the parade has brought people closer together than ever before.
A series of unprecedented and exciting events.
The parade and procession are the hottest events, but the "grand feast" that Ho Chi Minh City is offering all its residents and visitors during the celebration also has many other special "dishes".
According to the plan, the series of activities themed "Colors of Ho Chi Minh City," held from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM on April 19, 26, 29, and 30, will officially open at 7:30 PM on April 19 at the open stage in front of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, and the Bach Dang Wharf park area (from Ba Son Bridge to Nha Rong Wharf), including light shows, symphony and choral performances, and traditional Vietnamese folk music... On April 29 and 30, Nguyen Hue pedestrian street and the Bach Dang Wharf area will feature street art performances such as circus acts, magic shows, traditional opera, martial arts, brass band music, and flower boats on the Saigon River; The program includes a cruise ship parade, traditional Vietnamese folk music performances on the Saigon River, water sports programs, sailing demonstrations, water jet demonstrations, flyboarding, and paragliding… Notably, there will be a performance by 10,500 drones (unmanned aerial vehicles), which is expected to be submitted for a Vietnamese record for the largest number of drones at one time.
In addition, a 3D Mapping art program will take place on April 19, 26, 29, and 30 from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM in front of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee headquarters, featuring 3D Mapping art projections combined with music, lighting, and performance art, with the participation of artists from France, Singapore, Belgium, and Vietnam.
From April 26th to May 2nd, 2025, a series of programs such as exhibitions and film screenings commemorating the 50th anniversary of national reunification; the fourth Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day in 2025; and an art installation exhibition themed "From the Battle of Bach Dang to the Great Victory of April 30th, 1975" will be continuously organized along central city streets such as Le Loi and Nguyen Hue, allowing residents and tourists to enjoy unique cultural, artistic, and historical spaces never before seen. On the evening of April 30th, from 9 PM to 9:15 PM, Ho Chi Minh City will have fireworks displays at 30 locations (2 high-altitude and 28 low-altitude locations) in various districts, including Thu Duc City.
Looking at the list of programs, Mr. Vo Tuan Vu (lecturer at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) was "stunned" by its grandeur. Born and raised in the "steel land" of Cu Chi, he had never seen an event organized on such a large scale in Ho Chi Minh City in over 30 years. "I myself am currently working with the local community to create a nearly 700-meter-long national flag display in my hometown of Cu Chi to join in the atmosphere of celebrating the grand anniversary," Vu shared. "Every year, April 30th is a time for me to rest and travel, but this year, the feeling is completely different. My family has both paternal and maternal grandparents who participated in the resistance war, so I'm even more moved. My maternal grandmother has been crying every night watching the parade and military review on TV. She talks about the comrades who sacrificed their lives, about hiding rice to feed the cadres, about her older brother who was imprisoned in Con Dao while serving in the army, about her mother-in-law who sneaked out every night to dig tunnels… She occasionally mentions these things, but at this special milestone of 50 years of national reunification, I truly feel the ferocity of the war, and I am even more grateful and proud of the peace and independence we have today."
An atmosphere of excitement and enthusiasm is spreading throughout Ho Chi Minh City and the entire country. Everyone is looking forward to the grand celebration of April 30th - a historical milestone to honor the past and look towards the nation's future.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department's Traffic Police, people attending the commemorative activities can use public transportation such as buses and metro (to Ba Son, City Theatre, and Ben Thanh stations). People can also follow the celebrations via 20 LED screens located on seven main streets: Le Duan (6 screens), Nam Ky Khoi Nghia (3 screens), Le Loi (3 screens), Nguyen Hue (2 screens), Dong Khoi (2 screens), Dien Bien Phu (2 screens), and Nguyen Dinh Chieu (2 screens), or watch on television and social media platforms.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nao-nuc-huong-ve-dai-le-185250418184917835.htm
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