The day the country was united as one.

The national-level commemoration ceremony and parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) took place this morning, April 30, in Ho Chi Minh City. The parade brought together 56 contingents of forces, including the military, police, civilians, and representatives of the general public, with approximately 13,000 participants.

Representatives of 54 ethnic groups enthusiastically participated in a parade and march celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country. Photo: Tuan Anh

Diverse activities to celebrate the grand occasion

On Le Duan Street (District 1), a large-scale military parade took place in a solemn and heroic atmosphere. After passing the Reunification Hall, the parade forces split into four directions and moved towards the assembly point. A float displaying the national emblem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam led the parade. The national emblem was placed on a symbol of the mythical Lac bird, soaring upwards, representing the will and aspirations of the Vietnamese people. The float represented the 54 ethnic groups. A special highlight of this important event was the participation of more than 50 parade contingents along with a cannon firing ceremony set to the national anthem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The cannons were divided into five platoots, each platoon consisting of three cannons, and each cannon manned by three gunners, performing a 21-shot firing ceremony according to military protocol. This was accompanied by an impressive aerial display by the air force over the city.

During the grand celebration of the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Vietnam, for the first time, marching contingents from Laos, Cambodia, China, and a contingent of 120 overseas Vietnamese delegates from 25 countries marched alongside more than 13,000 officers and soldiers from domestic forces, sending a message of peace and international cooperation. The Press Center, serving the propaganda work for the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, was located at the headquarters of the Ho Chi Minh City Journalists Association. This was the place to organize, manage, and guide journalistic activities related to the grand celebration for domestic and foreign reporters. For this national event, Ho Chi Minh City attracted 169 international reporters from 39 news agencies and 17 countries; and more than 630 reporters from 81 domestic media outlets registered to cover the event. The city facilitated the work of reporters and editors, enabling them to transmit information and images of the ceremony to people nationwide and around the world . To serve the public and the media, the city installed 20 LED screens along central streets, allowing millions to watch this large-scale event live.

Besides the national-level commemoration and parade, on April 30th, people in Ho Chi Minh City and tourists will be able to participate in many attractive and beautiful cultural and artistic programs, exhibitions, and performances in the city center and districts. For many months prior, Ho Chi Minh City had launched a comprehensive plan for the grand celebration and conducted preliminary rehearsals. At this year's celebration, Ho Chi Minh City undertook many key national tasks such as organizing the national-level commemoration, the parade, cultural and artistic programs, exhibitions, scientific seminars, and activities expressing gratitude to war heroes…

To accomplish these tasks, the city mobilized unprecedented resources, from funding and personnel to modern technology. Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Nguyen Van Nen, Deputy Head of the Central Steering Committee for the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, shared that the national parade and march was not only an occasion to commemorate an important historical milestone but also an opportunity for everyone to express gratitude to beloved President Ho Chi Minh and the generations of ancestors who sacrificed their lives for the Fatherland. It also ignited new faith, new aspirations, and a new spirit, further promoting the strength of national unity.

The Party flag and national flag are displayed in the parade and march. Photo: DUY LINH

Expressing gratitude

Many days before the official ceremony, the streets in the central area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City were always bustling with locals and tourists waiting to watch the rehearsals and interact with the marching and parade contingents. Among the crowds on the streets in late April were Dr. Nguyen Thi Le My, Head of the Faculty of Social Sciences and International Languages ​​at Gia Dinh University, and her students. Dr. My is the daughter of Major General, Associate Professor, and Doctor Nguyen Huu Mao, former Deputy Regiment Commander.

The 48th Regiment. Before President Dương Văn Minh officially declared surrender to the liberation army, his 48th Regiment, along with other units of the 320th Division, fought no fewer than 20 battles, large and small, striking fear and terror into the hearts of the South Vietnamese army. Mỹ's father was fortunate enough to see his country at peace and independent, but many of his comrades perished as liberation approached.

Ms. My was born in peacetime but grew up listening to stories told by her father and his comrades, so she understood the losses and sacrifices of the previous generation for the cause of national reunification. Her father often told her, "Peace is the greatest gift that today's young generation receives. But it is also a responsibility, so you must know how to live in a way that is worthy." These days, the stories of war and the indomitable spirit of the soldiers are recalled by her father and his comrades, making Ms. My even more emotional. As a way of expressing her gratitude, in addition to cheering on and encouraging the groups participating in the preliminary and final rehearsals, Ms. My also designed a "tour" to learn about the historical April 30th and invited students to experience it. She and her students cycled through the central streets where the five army units simultaneously advanced into the Independence Palace. At each stop, she told the students about the important historical events of April 30, 1975. Afterward, they visited the War Remnants Museum, Do Phu Cafe - Dai Han Rice Restaurant, and concluded their journey by going to the cinema to watch the movie "The Tunnels." Before returning home, Ms. My and her students sat down to write handwritten letters expressing their gratitude to the veterans. "Cycling through each street, admiring the city under the shimmering sunlight of April, I understood that history is not just in books. History is in every breath, every brick, every steady step of today's generation," Ms. My said emotionally.

Among the delegates attending the 50th anniversary celebration of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and National Reunification in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of April 30th was a very special figure. He is veteran Tran Van Thanh (76 years old), who had just traveled 1,300 km from Nghe An to Ho Chi Minh City on his old motorbike. Many wondered why he didn't travel by plane or train for safety and convenience. Mr. Thanh smiled kindly and explained: "Driving my motorbike to the South to attend the grand celebration instead of taking a train or plane, I could witness firsthand the changes in the country and light incense to pay tribute to my fallen comrades. I am happy to witness this sacred moment of this important holiday."

With his luggage neatly packed with a few minimalist items—a small gas stove, pots and pans, a few personal belongings, and a set of tools for repairing his motorbike—he set off for the South. The national flag was neatly folded and placed on top of his luggage. During this meaningful solo journey, he frequently visited cemeteries, telling his comrades about how the country had changed since liberation. Mr. Thanh said he was fortunate to see the peaceful scene, even more fortunate to be part of the nation's great holiday, so despite the hardships, it was all worthwhile. Mr. Thanh enlisted in 1968 and fought at the Quang Tri Citadel, a place that suffered immense loss and pain during the "Summer of Red Fire." In those fierce battles, many of his comrades fell, never to return. He remembered them with gratitude and wanted to use this trip to pay his respects. Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City after a 10-day journey, Mr. Thanh was deeply moved to receive an invitation from the Organizing Committee of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and National Reunification. After the ceremony, he will spend time visiting some of the city's famous landmarks and reminiscing about the history of those April days 50 years ago.

MY DUNG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/ngay-non-song-lien-mot-dai-post876370.html