Millions of hearts turn to the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification

The forces marched in the love of the people on Le Loi Street, District 1 on the morning of April 30.

Overcoming sun, rain, and long distance to see the big festival with our own eyes

At around 2am on April 30, thousands of people were packed on both sides of Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Le Loi, and Nguyen Hue streets - where the parades would pass. They had been waiting since the night before, even many days before, just to witness a historic moment: 50 years of national reunification.

Veterans from provinces and cities came to Ho Chi Minh City in large numbers to watch the parade.

Veteran Pham The Phuong, from Hanoi , traveled all the way to Ho Chi Minh City to witness the parade. He shared: “Today, we are very excited and moved to participate in the parade to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South. This is not only an opportunity to recall a glorious youth, but also a reminder to the next generation that today's peace was exchanged for the blood and bones of our ancestors.”

Ms. Le Thi No and a group of veteran friends from Tay Ninh province arrived in Ho Chi Minh City very early, preparing for the moment of waiting for the parade on the morning of April 30.

With the same emotion, Ms. Le Thi No and a group of veteran friends in Tan Chau district (Tay Ninh), despite being 70 years old, still decided to rent a car to return to Ho Chi Minh City from the afternoon of April 29, to wait for the parade and march on the morning of April 30. Ms. Le Thi No shared: “This is a once-in-50-years opportunity. I remember, we were present in this city on the first day of liberation. Today, returning, witnessing the city develop and be at peace, I feel that my life has not been wasted. Although each of us carried a bag of medicine because everyone was sick, we were still present from 1:00 a.m. on April 30 to wait for the parade to pass by until the ceremony ended. Although tired, we were still happy, seeing peace as even more precious!”

The parade scene lit up the streets in a heroic spirit, bringing many people a deep feeling of emotion. The family of Ms. Bui Thi Thu Ha, living in Tan Binh district, arrived here from 6:30 pm on April 29. Ms. Thu Ha emotionally said: “We stayed up all night, but no one in the family felt tired. I want my children to witness the spirit of the nation with their own eyes. It only happens once every 50 years, and my heart is filled with indescribable pride.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh, from Dong Nai, came to Ho Chi Minh City to watch the parade from April 25.

Not only Saigon people, many people from neighboring provinces also flocked to the center of District 1 to join the festival atmosphere. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh, from Dong Nai, has been in Ho Chi Minh City since April 25 to watch the preliminary and final rehearsals of the parade and march on the occasion of April 30. She shared: "As a Vietnamese, I must be proud and love my Fatherland. When I see soldiers, police, youth... marching, I feel moved, excited and appreciate today's independence and freedom even more."

Radiant with gratitude, yearning to preserve peace

Under the flags fluttering in the sky, among the silver hairs were the radiant faces of the young people. Some came with excitement, some with reverence, but all shared the same feeling: Gratitude.

Standing waiting for the parade to pass through Ben Thanh market, Thuy Tien, a student at the University of Information Technology, said she had been awake since 1 a.m. to be there. "At first I was still very sleepy, but when I arrived, seeing so many people ready, seeing each brave step of the soldiers, my heart suddenly woke up. I felt moved, proud, my heart beat faster. I thought about my grandfather, who had been to the battlefield in the South. Now, I get to witness the achievements that he and many others contributed to building."

Pham Viet Phuong (right cover) and his friends are waiting for the parade to pass by at Ben Thanh Market, District 1.

The atmosphere of the parade captivated even those who were not interested in politics. Pham Viet Phuong (25 years old), living in Ho Chi Minh City, wearing a bright red traditional ao dai, shared: “Today I wear the traditional ao dai to contribute a small part to promoting Vietnamese culture. Young people sometimes stray from tradition, but events like this help us feel closer to history, understand why our country is so precious.”

The radiant face of young actress Thu Anh, who plays the main role in the film Tunnels, was also present very early. Actress Thu Anh confided: “I couldn’t sleep because I was so nervous. This is a momentous event, perhaps not the second time in my life that I have witnessed it. Standing here, seeing the joyful crowd, my heart also beats to the beat of the drums of the parade.”

Photo caption
Each passing parade makes the hearts of young people throb and makes them more proud of the Vietnamese people.
The national parade in Ho Chi Minh City has left an indelible mark on the hearts of the people. This is not only an opportunity to look back on the 50-year history, but also a moment for each person to feel more deeply the sacred meaning of peace and unity. In the midst of today's youthful, modern city, each step of the parade seems to extend the lifeblood of the nation, extending from the past to the present. And amidst the forest of red flags with yellow stars fluttering in the wind, everyone's eyes shine with faith in a peaceful, prosperous future, in a young generation full of enthusiasm and patriotism with all their hearts.

Source: News and People Newspaper

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/trieu-trai-tim-huong-ve-le-ky-niem-50-giai-phong-mien-nam-thong-nhat-dat-nuoc-a189552.html