LIVE: Ho Chi Minh City becomes focal point of Vietnam's Reunification Day tributes

9:00 am

The grand ceremony wraps up.

8:52 am

Military and civilian units are parading through downtown Ho Chi Minh City.

8:35 am

Various units parade on the morning of April 30, 2025. Photos: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

8:10 am

The vehicle carrying the portrait of late President Ho Chi Minh arrives past the main stage.

Late President Ho Chi Minh was a brilliant leader, the founder, guide, and builder of Vietnam’s Party, a national liberation hero, a world cultural icon, and the beloved Father of the People’s Armed Forces. 

He paved the way, provided direction, and directly led the Vietnamese revolution from one victory to the next — culminating in the great Spring Victory of 1975, which liberated the south and reunified Vietnam.

08:08 am

Helicopters and fighter jets fly over the skies above Ben Thanh Market in District 1, prompting thousands of people to cheer, applaud, and wave the national flag with excitement.

People cheer as the helicopters and fighter jets fly toward downtown Ho Chi Minh City.

8:06 am

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Nghia, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, commands the military parade and march with a loud voice: 'Attention! The parade and march BEGIN NOW!'

The military parade and march begin with a celebratory flyover by aircraft formations from the Vietnam People's Air Force.

The parade features 10 helicopters in a formation display, carrying the Communist Party and national flags. 

Also participating are fighter formations consisting of Su-30MK2 and Yak-130.

The military parade and march feature 56 formations, including units from the armed forces, police, civilian sectors, and mass organizations.

Together, they proceed along Le Duan Boulevard toward the front of the Reunification Palace.

The formations begin at the intersection of Le Duan Boulevard and Nguyen Binh Khiem Street in District 1, moving past the main grandstand in front of the Reunifcation Palace. 

After completing this route, the units disperse and move toward four designated regrouping points.

– Route 1: Nam Ky Khoi Nghia – Le Loi – Nguyen Hue – Bach Dang Wharf Park

– Route 2: Nam Ky Khoi Nghia – Le Loi – Le Lai – Cach Mang Thang Tam – Tao Dan Park

– Route 3: Nam Ky Khoi Nghia – Nguyen Dinh Chieu – Dinh Tien Hoang – Hoa Lu Stadium

– Route 4: Nam Ky Khoi Nghia – Dien Bien Phu – Hai Ba Trung – Le Van Tam Park

8:05 am

Several mounted officers are on patrol along Dien Bien Phu Street in District 1 to ensure security ahead of the parade and march. 

8:04 am

A formation of 10 helicopters arrived in Ho Chi Minh City.

7:50 am

Two squadrons of Su-30MK2 fighter jets take off. Their roaring engines tear through the sky as the jets shoot upward.

7:46 am

The second Yak-130 light combat aircraft formation takes off.

7:44 am

Three Yak-130 Yak-130 light combat aircraft take off from Bien Hoa Airbase in neighboring Dong Nai Province and fly toward downtown Ho Chi Minh City.

7:11 am

Party General Secretary To Lam delivers a speech commemorating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of southern Vietnam and Reunification Day in a televised ceremony.

At the start of his address, Party chief Lam, speaking on behalf of the Party, the state, and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, extends a warm welcome and heartfelt greetings to a wide array of distinguished guests. These include current and former leaders of the Party and state, revolutionary veterans, Vietnamese heroic mothers, heroes of the People’s Armed Forces and of labor, generals, officers, soldiers, war veterans, guerrilla fighters, militia and self-defense forces, youth volunteers, families with meritorious service to the nation, international guests, overseas Vietnamese, and the Party Committee, government, and people of Ho Chi Minh City.

He conveys his sincere regards and best wishes to all.

In the heroic atmosphere of April 30 — a historic day — in Ho Chi Minh City, the heroic city honored to bear the beloved name of late President Ho Chi Minh, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the National Assembly, the President, the Government, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee solemnly hold a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the liberation of southern Vietnam and Reunification Day, Lam says.

"This glorious milestone stands as one of the brightest in the nation’s history, marking the triumphant end of a 30-year resilient struggle for independence, freedom, and national unity," he remarks.

"This historic victory brought an end to over half a century of colonial rule, opening a new chapter in the nation's journey toward independence and socialism."

The Party chief emphasizes that this victory was a triumph of faith, the desire for independence, freedom, and national reunification, a victory of the great national unity under the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, a victory of the truth that 'nothing is more precious than independence and freedom' and of the deep patriotism, fighting spirit, and indomitable will of the Vietnamese people, of progressive forces, and of peace-loving people around the world.

He shares that building on the valuable lessons from the victory in the fight against American troops, under the leadership of the Party and state, the Party, people, and military forces have worked together in the effort to rebuild, restore, and develop the country, following the will of late President Ho Chi Minh.

Party General Secretary Lam recalls late President Ho Chi Minh's last wish: “My final desire is for the entire Party and people to unite and strive to build a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic, and prosperous Vietnam, contributing appropriately to the world’s revolutionary cause.”

7:00 am

Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung loudly announces: "The rally, military parade, and march marking the 50th anniversary of the liberation of southern Vietnam and Reunification Day officially begin.

“We respectfully invite Party and state leaders, former leaders, representatives of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, esteemed delegates, honored guests, and all compatriots to stand for the flag salute ceremony.”

Amidst the stirring music and the resounding cannon fire, the national anthem is sung with solemnity and pride.

6:50 am

At the intersection of Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street and Le Loi Street, people sing out loud the song 'Nhu co Bac Ho trong ngay vui dai thang' (As If Uncle Ho Were Present on the Joyous Day of Great Victory), a popular revolutionary song, while waving the national flag.

6:30 am

The formations line up for the ceremony, awaiting the command to begin the military parade.

The crowd excitedly waves the national flag and cheers as a group of veterans appears.

The ceremony is also attended by many senior leaders of the Party and the state, as well as invited guests from friendly countries, including Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, State President Luong Cuong, Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat Tran Cam Tu, Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang, and Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang.

Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and President of the Cambodian Senate, and Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith are in attendance as well.

Vice-President of the Republic of Cuba Salvador Valdés Mesa and the delegation of the Party and State of the Republic of Cuba, Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Belarus Ipatau Vadzim and the delegation from the Republic of Belarus, Minister of Veterans Affairs Pei Jinjia and the delegation of the Party and State of China are present at the event.

More than 1,000 artists take part in the opening performance of an art program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the national reunification along Le Duan Boulevard in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

6:20 am

The grandstand areas are already filled with delegates and invited guests attending the ceremony.

6:00 am

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung are present at the ceremony.

The '60 Seconds' news bulletin is broadcast on the LED screen in front of Ben Thanh Market in District 1, where thousands of people watch attentively without taking their eyes off the program.

When the voice of Meritorious Artist Kim Cuc delivers the historic April 30, 1975 victory announcement, the crowd responds with enthusiasm, proudly waving the national flag and the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam.

5:40 am

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen shows up at the event.

5:20 am

People crowd Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, Ton Duc Thang Street, and Bach Dang Wharf in District 1, leaving almost no space in these areas.

As a result, it is difficult for special-use vehicles to pass through, forcing them to move very slowly.

Military police and traffic officers make efforts to manage the flow and create lanes for priority vehicles.

5:00 am

Various units participating in the military parade and march begin moving toward Nguyen Binh Khiem Street in District 1 in a lively, enthusiastic atmosphere.

On both sides of the street, crowds of people pack in tightly, warmly waving to the soldiers.

Small flags flutter in the air, blending with the joyful cheers.

The troops, dressed in full uniform, respond with friendly waves and warm smiles.

At the main stage, the formations stand ready to take their positions.

The military ceremonial team is conducting a final rehearsal in preparation for the parade.