Phong Le — 2025-04-25

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Foreigners impressed by festive atmosphere as Vietnam prepares for 50th anniversary of reunification By Ngọc Ngân   April 23, 2025 | 05:18 pm GMT+7 Female police officers greet people as they arrive for the parade. Vietnamese national flags decorate the Tran Nhat Duat apartment complex in District 1, HCMC. Photo by VnExpress/Nhat Quang James Bisset was wide-eyed as fighter jets and helicopters flew overhead in formations in HCMC, and the crowds around him whipped out phones to capture the spectacle. It was only after someone explained that the 29-year-old knew it was a rehearsal by the Air Force for Vietnam’s 50th anniversary of national reunification on April 30. "This is a milestone that really impressed me," he says. Though the official celebrations have yet to begin, Vladovich finds the city already buzzing with excitement. Posters line main roads, patriotic music fills public squares and historic sites like the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum are packed with visitors.  University students have even begun posting videos about peace and unity on social media. "This is a milestone that really impressed me," he says. Though the official celebrations have yet to begin, Vladovich finds the city already buzzing with excitement. Posters line main roads, patriotic music fills public squares and historic sites like the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum are packed with visitors.  University students have even begun posting videos about peace and unity on social media. Having lived in HCMC for six years he was aware that April 30 and Sept. 2 are major holidays in Vietnam, but this was the first year he truly felt the festive energy sweeping through the city. Since early April, streets and alleys across HCMC—particularly in Thao Dien in Thu Duc City, where Bisset resides—have been lined with flags and banners. His favorite coffee shop even added a themed beverage: salted coffee topped with cream art resembling the national red flag with a yellow star. Over at Bach Dang Wharf in District 1, visitors have been flocking to take photos with historical artillery displays and soldiers on guard. Unlike previous years, when many of Bisset’s Vietnamese colleagues traveled or returned to their hometowns for the holiday, this year they are staying in the city to watch the military parade. Indian expatriate Rajesh describes the atmosphere in HCMC as "brimming with energy," with Vietnamese national flags lining the streets and fluttering proudly throughout the city. He says the rehearsals for cultural performances, air shows and parades remind him of India’s Independence Day on August 15 every year, when the prime minister hoists the national flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi and citizens participate in parades. What impresses Rajesh the most, however, is the way Vietnamese youth are embracing the occasion. Since early April they have decorated their homes and cafés, and produced TikTok videos and Instagram Reels celebrating peace and national pride.

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Author: Phong Le
Published Date: 4/25/2025 6:25:34 AM
Modified Date: 4/28/2025 9:51:49 AM

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Foreigners impressed by festive atmosphere as Vietnam prepares for 50th anniversary of reunification

By Ngọc Ngân April 23, 2025 | 05:18 pm GMT+7

Thousands in Ho Chi Minh City brave the rain to watch reunification anniversary fireworks Lớp trang trí cờ đỏ sao vàng trên bề mặt món nước gồm kem, bột hương dâu và xoài. Ảnh: Nhâm

Female police officers greet people as they arrive for the parade.

Massive crowds flood HCMC streets for reunification parade rehearsal

Vietnamese national flags decorate the Tran Nhat Duat apartment complex in District 1, HCMC. Photo by VnExpress/Nhat Quang

James Bisset was wide-eyed as fighter jets and helicopters flew overhead in formations in HCMC, and the crowds around him whipped out phones to capture the spectacle.

It was only after someone explained that the 29-year-old knew it was a rehearsal by the Air Force for Vietnam’s 50th anniversary of national reunification on April 30.

"This is a milestone that really impressed me," he says.

Though the official celebrations have yet to begin, Vladovich finds the city already buzzing with excitement.
Posters line main roads, patriotic music fills public squares and historic sites like the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum are packed with visitors.
University students have even begun posting videos about peace and unity on social media.

"This is a milestone that really impressed me," he says.

Though the official celebrations have yet to begin, Vladovich finds the city already buzzing with excitement.
Posters line main roads, patriotic music fills public squares and historic sites like the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum are packed with visitors.
University students have even begun posting videos about peace and unity on social media.

Having lived in HCMC for six years he was aware that April 30 and Sept. 2 are major holidays in Vietnam, but this was the first year he truly felt the festive energy sweeping through the city.

Since early April, streets and alleys across HCMC—particularly in Thao Dien in Thu Duc City, where Bisset resides—have been lined with flags and banners. His favorite coffee shop even added a themed beverage: salted coffee topped with cream art resembling the national red flag with a yellow star.

Over at Bach Dang Wharf in District 1, visitors have been flocking to take photos with historical artillery displays and soldiers on guard.

Unlike previous years, when many of Bisset’s Vietnamese colleagues traveled or returned to their hometowns for the holiday, this year they are staying in the city to watch the military parade.

Russian expatriate Victor Vladovich (far L) and his Vietnamese colleagues on a recreational trip. Photo courtesy of Vladovich

Indian expatriate Rajesh describes the atmosphere in HCMC as "brimming with energy," with Vietnamese national flags lining the streets and fluttering proudly throughout the city.

He says the rehearsals for cultural performances, air shows and parades remind him of India’s Independence Day on August 15 every year, when the prime minister hoists the national flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi and citizens participate in parades.

What impresses Rajesh the most, however, is the way Vietnamese youth are embracing the occasion. Since early April they have decorated their homes and cafés, and produced TikTok videos and Instagram Reels celebrating peace and national pride.