Vietnamese in UK march to mark 50 years of reunification

THE HANOI TIMES — Amid the bustling streets of central London, some 50 Vietnamese, dressed in traditional ao dai and carrying the national flag, marched through the heart of London, starting from the hotel where President Ho Chi Minh once worked.

The march began at the Carlton Hotel (now New Zealand House), where Nguyen Ai Quoc (President Ho Chi Minh) once worked as a kitchen assistant in the early 20th century. Here, under a memorial plaque, participants laid fresh flowers and bowed their heads in silent tribute.

From there, the group walked past the London Eye and Big Ben. Their ao dai fluttered in the wind, the red and gold flag standing out against the city's historic backdrop. No slogans, no speeches, just quiet pride in every step.

The idea was simple: "If we can't fly home for the parade, why not hold our own commemoration here?" said Vu Dinh Thai (also known as Thai Vi Vu on Facebook), 30, a media director who initiated the event through a social media call.

The response was overwhelming. Within an hour, registrations exceeded expectations, leaving Thai with no choice but to close registration to ensure a solemn and orderly event.

Thai recalled emotional moments: "Families brought their children, a little boy holding the flag as he walked through London. Students took overnight trains just to be there."

The march resonated beyond the Vietnamese community. Tourists stopped to ask about the vibrant attire, and some, after learning its significance, expressed admiration. "A foreign couple didn't understand at first, but after hearing about April 30, they congratulated us and said they felt the fiery patriotism of Vietnamese youth," Thai said.

For young British-born Vietnamese, the event was a rare chance to connect with their roots. Holding the flag high, they felt, perhaps for the first time, a deep sense of belonging.