Country full of joy on the Day of National Reunification

From the night of April 29 to the morning of April 30, Ho Chi Minh City truly experienced a sleepless night as people eagerly awaited the 50th anniversary celebration of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification.

Groups of war veterans from Quang Tri Province arrived early in the morning in waiting for the official grand ceremony at 7 AM on April 30.

Nguyen Van Hien, a veteran who participated in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, shared that: “Returning to Ho Chi Minh City after 50 years, I found that the city has changed so much. I have faith in the faster and stronger development of the nation.”

Due to their old age, frail health, and injuries from the war, many veterans, wounded soldiers, and revolutionary contributors had to sit in wheelchairs, yet every time the parade troops marched toward the grandstand, the eyes of these elderly veterans once again reflected the moving image of their glorious military career.

In the jubilant atmosphere of the five-day holiday, many people flock to the Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, and Cu Chi Tunnels.

Tourist attractions in Can Tho, such as the Hung Kings Temple, Can Tho Grand Prison, Cai Rang Floating Market, Ninh Kieu Wharf, and various eco-tourism areas, are also crowded with locals and tourists.

During this holiday, Can Tho’s streets are splendidly decorated with flags, flowers, and banners, creating a lively festive atmosphere.

In Hanoi, on the morning of April 30, large crowds gathered at the historic Ba Dinh Square for the flag-raising ceremony. At exactly 6 AM, the honour guard of 34 soldiers — representing the first 34 members of the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army — performed the ceremony amidst the sound of the national anthem. Thousands of people around Ba Dinh Square saluted the national flag or placed their right hands over their hearts and sang the anthem together.

People queue up to pay respect to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum on the morning of April 30 (Photo: VN+)

In this jubilant yet solemn atmosphere, everyone remembered beloved President Ho Chi Minh. After the flag-raising, thousands queued to pay their respects to the great leader at his mausoleum on this important anniversary.

From early morning yesterday, long lines of people waited to visit the Vietnam Military History Museum, the Temple of Literature, the Hanoi Flag Tower. Many tourists wore shirts printed with the red flag and yellow star or carried the national flag in their hands. These were truly impressive and meaningful images during this special holiday.

This year, the Hoan Kiem Lake area featured a new attraction: an interactive exhibition space celebrating the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, hosted by Nhan Dan Newspaper on its premises.

From 6 AM, people lined up along Le Thai To Street and nearby roads to receive a special supplement commemorating the day and to experience displays about decisive battles of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, as well as 3D mapped presentations about the campaign.

In Da Nang City, assorted programmes are being held during the five-day holiday to serve locals and tourists. Among the most-visited destination in the city is Da Nang Museum, formerly the City Hall, which witnessed the historic moment when the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam flew atop it on March 29, 1975, marking the victory of Da Nang’s soldiers and people in the resistance war against the US.

The April 30 victory is also enthusiastically celebrated among ethnic communities in the Central Highlands. In every village, the sounds of gongs and drums echo like a symphony connecting the heroic past with today’s peaceful life and a bright future.

On the first day of the holiday, at the Dak Lak Museum, the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism launched a street music program entitled “Festival of the Homeland”, a gong culture programme themed “Coming to the Highlands”, an art show titled “The Call of the Highlands”, and various arts activities, attracting thousands of locals and tourists.

Village Elder Y Siu Byah, 72, head of M’Tuc Village and Chairman of the Council of Village Elders of Ea Tam Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City, noted with pleasure that, after liberation, Dak Lak was a wild land with poor infrastructure, a sparse population, and difficult living conditions. Now, Dak Lak has transformed robustly and developed strongly.

From a fierce battlefield in the past, after 50 years of liberation, thanks to the care and investment of the Party and state and the joint efforts of all ethnic groups, Dak Lak has risen powerfully in the heart of the great highlands.

The flag-raising ceremony at the Hien Luong – Ben Hai special national historic site in Quang Tri Province

On the morning of April 30, at the Hien Luong Flagpole at the Hien Luong – Ben Hai special national historic site on the north bank of the Ben Hai River, the authorities of Quang Tri Province solemnly held the flag-raising ceremony.

Ben Hai River divided North and South Vietnam after the signing of the Geneva Accords in 1954. Though the river is just over 100m wide, it took 21 years for the Vietnamese people on the two banks to be united.

Throughout those years, the flag atop Hien Luong Flagpole always flew proudly, symbolising the faith and will for the reunification of Vietnamese people from both north and south.

Following flag-raising ceremony, the 2025 traditional boat race took place on the Ben Hai River, gathering 250 athletes from 18 teams.

Other localities across the country are also hosting various activities to celebrate the special occasion, including incense offering to fallen soldiers at local cemeteries, and the presentation of gifts to Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, wounded soldiers, and families of revolutionary contributors.

Solemn flag-raising ceremonies were held at the Lung Cu National Flagpole in Ha Giang Province, the flagpole in the special national relic – President Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site on Co To Island in Quang Ninh Province, and Truong Sa Island District, Khanh Hoa Province.