Ho Chi Minh City to rehearse record-breaking 10,500-drone show on Saigon River tonight

The display is set to take place from 8:30 pm to 8:45 pm.

The official show is scheduled for the same time on Thursday evening, as part of the ongoing ‘Colors of the City’ festival.

The 10,500 drones will illuminate the skies above both Thu Duc City – a district-level unit under Ho Chi Minh – and District 1.

The organizers plan to submit the performance for recognition as a Vietnamese record for the highest number of drones flown simultaneously.

The best viewing spots for the public will be along both sides of the river, particularly at Bach Dang Wharf and Thu Thiem Riverside Park, where the show will be visible in its full synchronized glory.

The drone light display was initially scheduled for a rehearsal on April 29 and the official performance on April 30, but the schedule was later adjusted.

The drone show is one of the highlights of a broader cultural celebration spanning several key locations in the city, including the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee headquarters, Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House, Bach Dang Wharf, and other riverside venues.

From April 29 to 30, a wide range of artistic and cultural events will be organized, including:

- A 3D mapping light show on the façade of the Ho Chi Minh City Hall

- A fireworks display and a commemorative program titled ‘Day of National Reunification’

- Music performances

- Traditional art performances including circus and magic shows, hat boi (classical Vietnamese opera) performances, folk music and dance.

One of the standout events, ‘The Dance of the Checkered Scarf,’ will unfold in front of the City Hall and along Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, offering a tribute to southern Vietnamese culture.

On the Saigon River, spectators can also enjoy traditional don ca tai tu (southern folk music), illuminated boat parades, water sports demonstrations such as sailing, flyboarding, paddleboarding, and paragliding, along with live performances on a floating stage at Bach Dang Wharf.