Towards the Great Festival, Ho Chi Minh City is bustling with a series of diverse programs and events in many fields, creating an exciting atmosphere, filled with joy for the people and tourists. Flags flutter in the wind, people are excited, every eye and smile reflects faith, gratitude and aspiration towards the future.

Bustling "thousands of golden stars and fluttering flags"

These days, Ho Chi Minh City is resplendent in the red flag with yellow star and the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam. Main streets such as Le Duan, Nguyen Hue, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Cach Mang Thang Tam, Dien Bien Phu, Dong Khoi... are all filled with bright flags. Banners, billboards, and LED propaganda screens are all bright with slogans celebrating the Liberation Day of the South and National Reunification, creating a vivid picture for the city. The messages: "Peace", "Independence", "Unity", "Happiness" are still the main messages, reminding us of the contributions of generations of fathers and brothers who fell for independence and freedom, for the city and country to flourish today.

Ho Chi Minh City people with red flags with yellow stars welcome the Great Festival.

Nguyen Hue Walking Street is one of the cultural destinations that attracts the locals and tourists on this occasion. Here, artistic miniatures recreate the image of the old victory, combined with modern life, creating a vibrant space with a series of 3D Mapping performances combining light, sound, symphony music, outdoor music and dance performances, flower boat parades, drone performances combined with artistic fireworks... At many other locations in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of cultural and artistic programs and exhibitions also take place, bringing an attractive and interesting "menu" of experiences and enjoyment to locals and tourists from near and far.

Along with 30 fireworks displays taking place on the night of April 30, Ho Chi Minh City has asked for permission and organized high-altitude fireworks displays at Saigon River Park (Ho Chi Minh City) on the nights of April 19 and 26, creating a joyful atmosphere to welcome the 50th anniversary of national reunification for the people. Along with that, water sports activities, drone performances, and water music stages have woven a unique festival color for the city.

Families visit and take souvenir photos with clusters of symbols commemorating the 50th anniversary of Southern Liberation Day.

Veteran Vu Van Tuong (78 years old, Hai Phong City) expressed: “At noon on April 30, 1975, following the direction of the 3rd Army Corps, I arrived in Saigon City with my unit. On the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification, I and a group of people with meritorious services from Hai Phong City returned to visit Ho Chi Minh City. I was both moved and surprised when the city developed rapidly and modernly. On this occasion, the city had many meaningful welcoming activities, making us even more proud to have contributed a small part to the peace and reunification of the country.

Taking her family to watch fireworks and experience the festival in the city center, Ms. Pham Thi Bich (living in Binh Chanh) excitedly said: “The atmosphere was both bustling and sacred when many people wore shirts with the national flag, holding red flags with yellow stars in their hands, singing revolutionary songs as fireworks lit up the city sky. I feel extremely lucky to be living in this beautiful and meaningful moment.”  

Fireworks lit up the sky of Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate the Great Festival.

Historical venues such as the Ho Chi Minh Campaign Museum, the War Remnants Museum, etc. are always packed with visitors. People patiently line up to hear each story and each glorious page of history through meaningful exhibitions and displays such as: "Ho Chi Minh Campaign - Symbol of Revolutionary Heroism", "From the Paris Agreement to the Great Victory of Spring 1975", "The Image of President Ho Chi Minh through the Language of Sculpture"... In particular, the Independence Palace, which witnessed the historic moment of the victorious Ho Chi Minh Campaign on April 30, 1975, is still an ideal venue for those who want to feel the strong transformation of the city after half a century of national unification.

Vo Doan Phuong (Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City) personally crocheted national flag-shaped clothespins, prepared shirts with the slogan "Independence - Freedom - Happiness" and a red flag with a yellow star to visit and take souvenir photos with family and friends at historical sites in the city. Doan Phuong emotionally shared: "The atmosphere is very exciting and cheerful, just stepping out on the street, you can feel the pride rising. The 50th anniversary of national reunification is a message to the younger generation to cherish and continue, and it is a history lesson outside of books for our younger generation."

Peaceful wings fly in the sky of the city named after Uncle Ho.

Color "Peace is beautiful!"

Ho Chi Minh City is not only a historical place but also a living proof of the strength of solidarity, patriotism and national pride. In the parades, the affection between the army and the people becomes clearer and deeper in the hearts of every participant and witness.

Following each step of the soldiers of the blocs, from veterans to the young generation, visitors from near and far all expressed their pride through the slogans: "Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh". Regardless of the hot weather, or sudden rains, the "heat" of cheering for the parade and marching forces still rose. The images of veterans, children, and disabled people with red flags with yellow stars in their hands waiting for the parade blocs to pass by, or cold towels, bottles of cool water given to the soldiers during breaks, or revolutionary songs, clapping hands along the marching route of the parade and marching formation clearly demonstrated the affection, hospitality, and loyalty of the people of the City named after Uncle Ho; further affirming the solidarity and belief in the strength of the nation.

Ho Chi Minh City people wait and cheer for the parade.

Veteran Nguyen Xuan Ha (former officer of Division 370, Air Defense - Air Force) was moved when he and his family cheered and encouraged the troops on the parade. He had participated in the standing block at the ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 / April 30, 2005). He shared: “Being immersed in and living in the jubilant atmosphere of this great holiday. Peace is a priceless gift, paid for with the blood of many generations, and the painful loss of many families. The celebration and welcoming activities remind us to always preserve and live worthy of the word “Peace”.

Walk among the people.

Along with the image of cadres and soldiers parading and marching amidst the warm embrace of the people, the fireworks display and the air force's welcome flight also left a deep impression on the city's people.

People visit the artillery site.

Visiting the fireworks site, veteran Duong Dinh Tau (former officer of the Gia Dinh Regiment, Ho Chi Minh City Command) recalled the moment on May 7, 1975, also at Bach Dang Wharf (District 1), he was the one who had the honor of firing the first fireworks to celebrate the reunification of the country. Half a century has passed, Mr. Tau is nearly 80 years old. He shared: “Right here, the victory fireworks were shot into the sky. It was not only a celebration of victory, but also a vow of peace that must be kept at all costs.”

Article and photos: HUNG KHOA - THANH THU - NGAN OANH

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/phong-su/tp-ho-chi-minh-nhung-ngay-thang-tu-rang-ro-bai-1-ron-rang-thieng-lieng-va-day-tu-hao-826213