Vietnam Marks 50 Years of Reunification with Grand Parade, Drone Show
Over 13,000 participate in Ho Chi Minh City spectacle featuring military units, civilian groups, and a dazzling aerial display
A spectacular military and civilian parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975–2025) took place in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 on Tuesday morning, drawing over 13,000 participants.
The event began following a state-level ceremony with an aerial display by Mi-8T, Mi-17, and Mi-171 helicopters carrying the Party and national flags, accompanied by fighter jets such as Su-30MK2s and Yak-130s executing complex manoeuvres. Ground proceedings featured symbolic floats, including a model of the National Emblem and a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh.
Military formations representing five major corps of the 1975 Ho Chi Minh Campaign marched past the grandstand, along with troops from modern divisions including cyber and electronic warfare units. Female contingents—from medical officers to peacekeepers—were prominently featured, showcasing Vietnam’s inclusive and evolving armed forces.
Foreign military representatives from Laos, Cambodia, and China also joined, underscoring regional solidarity. Civilians played a key role too, with veterans, workers, intellectuals, youth, and overseas Vietnamese marching to represent the national spirit and unity.
Public security forces, including police, special operations units, and emergency responders, demonstrated strength and discipline in a large-scale display of national preparedness and law enforcement capabilities.
One of the parade's most poignant moments came when 350 national heroes and historical witnesses passed the grandstand seated in red-and-blue double-decker buses—symbolizing both remembrance and national pride.
Capping off the day’s celebrations was a dazzling droneshow lighting up the skies over HCMC, offering a modern and symbolic tribute to the nation’s journey since reunification. The stunning aerial performance mesmerized thousands gathered in Saigon, turning April 30, 2025, into a night to remember in Vietnam.