[UPDATE] HCMC center before the April 30 parade: 'Only 9 hours left, will sleep sitting on the sidewalk'

At 9 p.m., the Bach Dang Wharf Park and Ton Duc Thang Street (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) were packed with locals and tourists. Many people were attentively watching the cultural and artistic events taking place in this area, while others spread out tarps and camped out to wait for tomorrow's parade.

Clip: Phan Diep

Finding a nice spot to stay up all night at Bach Dang Wharf Park, Ms. Phuong Ben Tre was extremely excited about the atmosphere of celebrating April 30 tonight. She was surprised when the crowd pouring into the center exceeded her imagination. "I've been here for 5 days, from the West. I went with my daughter, participating in events celebrating the country's reunification. Tonight is too crowded, tomorrow I have to find a place to watch the parade," she added.

The Bach Dang wharf park area and Ton Duc Thang street are packed tonight, people move slowly.

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

Ms. Phuong Ben Tre is excited about the atmosphere here.

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

The area of the statue of Saint Tran Hung Dao tonight.

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

Meanwhile, Nguyen Hue walking street was also crowded with people participating and watching the programs held here. With so many people, everyone had to find a way to choose a location and take pictures to save memorable moments.

Photo: Duong Lan

Atmosphere on walking street at around 9pm

Photo: Duong Lan

Although it is still 9 hours until the parade, many families have already spread out their tarps and waited all night. Tonight, Ho Chi Minh City will perform many special art programs such as: 3D Mapping performance, traditional music and dance, martial arts performance, water sports... on Nguyen Hue walking street. The program attracts the participation of many people and tourists, everyone tries their best to watch the performances among the "sea of people" and record many memorable moments.

Although there are still nearly 9 hours until tomorrow morning, April 30, with the state-level parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification, the streets in the center of Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of April 29 were already packed with "some standing, some lying down".

On Le Duan Street, few people stayed to watch the parade. Partly because people knew the schedule and the road closures, they evacuated to neighboring areas such as Nguyen Hue walking street, Bach Dang wharf, Le Loi street, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street … These places became shelters for many families tonight.

At 7:30 p.m. on Le Loi Street, a long line of people sitting almost filled the eel on both sides of the street. The flow of people here was getting more and more crowded, accompanied by a significant increase in the number of vehicles. Meanwhile, Dong Khoi Street, Ton Duc Thang Street, Me Linh Square... were jammed despite the presence of functional forces to regulate.

At 8pm, Le Loi Street suddenly became a "camping" place for many people.

Photo: Pham Huu

Both sides of Le Loi street are packed with people.

Photo: Phan Diep

Many people lie down to rest right here even though vehicles are running outside.

Photo: Phan Diep

The atmosphere to welcome the 30/4 holiday in this area is still extremely vibrant. Families prepare tarps, food, wear red shirts with yellow stars, hold national flags... determined to spend a night "sleeping under the open sky" on the sidewalk to welcome the parade. Amidst the busy traffic, many groups of people also bring speakers, turn on music to sing together, stirring up the atmosphere.

This area has many families from northern provinces such as Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Thai Nguyen... and central provinces such as Binh Dinh, Nha Trang... People here said that in the past few days, watching the preliminary and final rehearsals of the parade on TV made them feel extremely excited.

So today, April 29, they decided to go to Ho Chi Minh City to join the atmosphere of the people here. On the sidewalk right now, there are old men and women over 70 years old, with white hair, surprised by the lively atmosphere before the parade. Children take the opportunity to eat, read stories, play chess... while waiting for the dawn. Meanwhile, there are also people who have arrived since around 3pm so they lie down on the tarpaulin to rest.

Children play chess to relax and kill time

Photo: Pham Huu

Some families found a good spot and immediately spread out a tarp and "locked in"

Photo: Pham Huu

Anh Dao Viet Hung brought his entire suitcase to "go to the national concert" and said he would sleep sitting on the roadside tonight.

Photo: Phan Diep

Not to be outdone by the young people, he also took to the streets to wait for the parade.

Photo: Phan Diep

Scenery of Le Loi Street at 20:30

Photo: Phan Diep

By 8 p.m., most of the 1-kilometer-long eel on Le Loi Street was almost full. Present on Le Loi Street at this time was Mr. Hung, from Hai Duong, who said that his group of friends from many northern provinces had arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of April 29. This afternoon, at 4 p.m., Mr. Dao Viet Hung's group was present on Le Loi Street waiting to watch the parade.

"We brought a suitcase with food, drinks, a tarp, and diapers in our pants. We decided to sleep sitting up tonight. The weather in Ho Chi Minh City is not as hot as we thought, only our hearts are hot, full of enthusiasm," Hung shared.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hoang Van Tien (68 years old, from Thai Nguyen), went with his daughter to Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of April 29. "I saw that all the people in the city were very excited. The atmosphere here was like a festival. I brought a mat to sit on, the national flag, and a red shirt with a yellow star. I didn't prepare much, just had an excited spirit," said Mr. Tien.

Mr. Nguyen Van A (79 years old) from Binh Dinh, came to Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of April 29 and was taken by his children to Le Loi Street to wait to watch the parade since the afternoon. "I feel very happy and excited to see the bustling atmosphere here. Although I am old, I still want to go to Ho Chi Minh City on April 30," said Mr. A.

Around 7pm, people filled Nguyen Hue walking street to watch the 3D Mapping art performance, including a German couple - Ms. Katharina (31 years old) and Mr. Daniel (33 years old). "The atmosphere in Ho Chi Minh City right now is so bustling. The 3D mapping performance is very impressive", Ms. Katharina shared.