Each parade participant was proud to be present at the historic event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification. Photo: Thanh Vu

The bustling breath of national reunification day

During the historic days of April, Ho Chi Minh City put on a brilliant "shirt" of the red flag with a yellow star. Every street, every corner, from the city center to the suburban residential areas, was bustling with the breath of the great holiday celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025).

In particular, the official State-level parade rehearsal took place on Le Duan Street (District 1) on April 27, like an epic in the heart of the city, with each formation marching in unison in the proud eyes of the people and tourists.

The parade rehearsal was attended by about 13,000 people, including 23 military forces, 3 militia and self-defense forces, 12 police forces, 12 mass forces and 3 military forces from China, Laos and Cambodia. Along with that, the artillery field of 15 large cannons opened fire, making a large space resound with the witness of thousands of people in the Bach Dang wharf area. The helicopter squadrons and fighter jets flew in formation, raising the Party flag and the national flag fluttering in the sky of Ho Chi Minh City, the fighter jets performed acrobatics, dropped heat traps, attracting thousands of people to admire...

In addition, art programs, festivals and cultural, sports and tourism activities have been carefully planned, ready to welcome people and tourists on the occasion of April 30.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, many large 4-5 star hotels were fully booked from April 27 to May 1. Tourists can consider staying in areas near the center such as District 3, District 5, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan and Tan Binh.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism has developed and implemented tourism products to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification. The unit also works with travel agencies, hotels, tourist attractions and standard tourism systems to prepare human resources, facilities and service quality.

"All of this is to ensure the satisfaction and impression of residents and tourists when coming to Ho Chi Minh City on the occasion of April 30. This is also an opportunity for us to promote the city's image, retain tourists and make them want to come back" - Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa - Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism - said.

Ho Chi Minh City has also prepared all plans to ensure the best medical care during the April 30 holiday. The Ministry of Health has assigned Cho Ray Hospital and Thong Nhat Hospital to coordinate with Military Hospital 175 on medical work, medical examination and treatment, and emergency care during the April 30 holiday.

13,000 people participated in the parade rehearsal, marching on Le Duan Street - in front of Thong Nhat Hall (District 1, HCMC). Photo: Thanh Vu

Focus all resources on the Anniversary

Recently, Politburo member, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen - Head of the Steering Committee for the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day chaired a meeting, listened to progress reports and reviewed preparations for the organization of the celebration, parade, and march to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day.

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen acknowledged and highly appreciated the sense of responsibility, initiative and efforts of agencies and units in the process of implementing the preparation work. "This is the driving force to continue to encourage Ho Chi Minh City to strive and make efforts to do better" - Mr. Nguyen Van Nen emphasized.

The Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee noted that everyone must concentrate to complete the preparation work in a strict and thoughtful manner. Each cadre, civil servant and public employee must clearly identify the spirit of "working until the job is done, not until the end of the day", ready to take shifts and divide shifts to complete the task on schedule. Ho Chi Minh City must concentrate all resources, uphold the sense of responsibility, and ensure coordination to successfully organize the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day.

"Each cadre, civil servant and public employee must see this as a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to participate and contribute their efforts," Mr. Nguyen Van Nen noted.

Ms. Truong Thi Ha (District 12, Ho Chi Minh City) shared that to get a seat near the sidewalk at the intersection of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai - Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, she left at 8pm on April 26.

"It took about an hour to get here from District 12. Finding a good spot was a bit difficult because security was tighter today, but I was very happy and excited to watch the parade because it only happens once every 50 years and I didn't feel tired at all," said Ms. Ha.

To see the parade rehearsal on the morning of April 27, many people from the provinces took a bus hundreds of kilometers to Nguyen Hue walking street. Ms. Le Thi Thoa and her daughter came from Gia Lai to Ho Chi Minh City, then chose Nguyen Hue walking street (District 1) to watch the fireworks on the night of April 26 and then stopped here to wait until morning to watch the rehearsal.

"In such a grand event, no difficulty can stop us. Even though we had to stay up all night, just thinking about seeing the crowd holding red flags with yellow stars welcoming the parade and witnessing the cannon firing with my own eyes, I felt extremely happy" - Ms. Thoa shared.

Source: https://laodong.vn/van-hoa-giai-tri/thanh-pho-ho-chi-minh-san-sang-cho-dai-le-304-1498194.ldo