Historic Reunification Day parade draws all-night crowds in Ho Chi Minh City
Tens of thousands flocked to downtown Ho Chi Minh City on the night of April 29, staying up through the night to secure a spot for the 50th anniversary parade commemorating Vietnam’s reunification.
THE HANOI TIMES — Since the early evening hours, major streets such as Le Loi, Le Lai, Nguyen Hue, and Ly Tu Trong were packed with people from across the region to wait for the important moments with pride and patriotism.
Some came in groups, some with young children, and some alone, but everyone shared the same sense of excitement. Plastic mats lined the sidewalks and umbrellas popped up like tents near Ben Thanh Market. Entire families huddled together in anticipation.
A group of young office workers from Binh Duong Province was among the crowd. "I'm so proud to be Vietnamese," said Kim Oanh, her eyes bright as she clutched a small flag. "We came early to find a good spot. This is something we’ll never forget.”
Le Thanh Son, a military officer living in Binh Chanh District, biked into the city at sunrise on April 29 to visit the Independence Palace and feel the build-up firsthand. “I stayed overnight with everyone,” he said. "We all share this joy, and we all remember those who gave their lives for this day," he added.
In nearby Bien Hoa, journalist Hoang Phu Bac of Saigon Giai Phong described the electric atmosphere that had prevailed for days. Rehearsals of troops at Bien Hoa Airport and flyovers of helicopters carrying the national flag stirred up strong emotions. "Every time I watch them march or fly, I’m moved by our history, and I grasp the meaning of peace more deeply," he said.
Even as night fell, sleep was hard to come by. Some rested on sidewalks. Others chatted, sang patriotic songs, and waved at cameras. Students like Vo Nhu Hao traveled from Dong Nai and took the last metro into the city just before midnight. "I saw the rehearsal earlier this year," she recalled. "The formations were powerful yet beautiful. Tonight, we’re back to experience it with everyone.”
Many veterans were among the early arrivals. Ngo Trong Que, who had traveled from Nghe An, sat quietly by the roadside with a flag in hand. Nearby, other veterans in uniform shared stories with strangers, posed for photos, and watched the skies.
By sunrise on April 30, the heart of Ho Chi Minh City was more than just a crossroads of streets. It had become a gathering place for generations. What was once a battlefield is now a city of lights, towers, factories, metro lines, and dreams. For many, the parade was more than just a show. It was a living reminder of how far the country has come and that unity is now a shared reality.
A group of visitors from Binh Duong Province.Photos: Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper
Veteran Ngo Trong Quq from Nghe An joins the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification
In anticipation of rain, residents pitch tents in the square near Ben Thanh Market.
Along Ly Tu Trong Street, people set up tents to wait for the parade.
Tens of thousands crowd Le Loi Street.
Veterans wait patiently for the April 30 parade.
This footage was captured on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City at night. Source: min_napie (exclusively provided for The Hanoi Times).
