Peace Festival in Vietnam

I was there on the night of April 29, after a week of wondering whether I had the energy to immerse myself in the crowds. Each night, the city held rehearsals for parades or fireworks displays in preparation for the celebration. I found myself joining the late-night flow of people heading downtown around 11:00 pm, not reaching a spot where I could somewhat relax – "I'll be able to watch from here tomorrow morning" – until 1:00 am.

The crowd was packed to the point of breathlessness, yet people moved gently, without jostling or arguing. On both sides of the street, those lucky enough to have found a place to rest waved fans to cool the crowd and keep the air circulating.

On the April 30 morning of the parade, everyone sat quietly and in order, waiting. If anyone happened to stand and block the view, people behind them would call out, "Sit down so we can see too!"

Under the early sun, people waved flags and sang patriotic songs. Then came collective gasps of awe as the marching columns passed by, shouts of amazement as helicopters flew overhead with flags, and cheers when fighter jets lit up the sky with stunning flares against the bright blue backdrop.

An older man joked, "Back then, hearing planes overhead meant diving into bomb shelters. Now that we have peace, everyone rushes out to watch."

It was a moment that made you realize how beautiful peace truly is.

What was new about these past days? Perhaps it was that beyond a mere 'celebration,' this was the first time I had witnessed a genuine festive atmosphere arising naturally from everyday life – in the way today's youth proudly and playfully called it a 'national concert,' a trend that quickly spread across social media.

It was a joyful buzz, filled with conversations and shared tips on the parade rehearsal schedule, firework shows, drone and aircraft displays – advising one another on the best viewing spots, which way to head afterward, and reminding each other: "Don't forget to pick up your trash after the show – cleaning up is patriotic too."

And it was not just the youth, but people from all walks of life. What some described as a 'collective frenzy' – like when groups of women squealed at the 'buffet hotpot of handsome soldiers' during rehearsals – was later tempered by constructive feedback from the same online community. By the official parade day, what remained was a crowd full of love and respect for this momentous occasion.

Of course, there were mishaps – like the incident involving two students rudely demanding that veteran soldiers sit down so they could have a better view. But right then and there, other young people stepped in and offered their seats to the veterans. Later, the online community strongly condemned the students' behavior.

I had a small personal joy too, when social media users shared a clip from the film 'Em La Ba Noi Cua Anh' (Sweet 20) from ten years ago, where Miu Le's character Thanh Nga stood up for a veteran being mistreated by youngsters. It felt like a witty reminder to today's generation about respecting those who fought for peace.

On the night of April 29, as we stayed up to wait for the parade the next morning, a Vietnamese friend of mine from overseas sat next to a veteran. Curious, he asked the man about his youth, and the veteran eagerly recounted his wartime days – speaking with the optimism of someone who had faced death and was now looking back 50 years later. He also asked my friend about life in the U.S., and why he chose to be here at this time.

I believe that night was full of conversations like theirs – between generations, between young people dressed in trendy clothes and old soldiers proudly wearing their glittering medals – one generation enjoying peace and prosperity thanks to the sacrifices of the other.

Above all, this year's Peace Festival carried the solemnity expected of such a national event, but more than that, it brought a sense of joy into everyday life, created by the people themselves. And more deeply, it was an opportunity for generations to draw closer together.

Looking ahead, I see a bright future for Peace Festival celebrations on April 30 for many years to come.

* The Vietnamese original of this piece was authored by Pham Gia Nhat Linh, a film director.