Patriotic skies: Ho Chi Minh City witnesses impressive air drills for national reunification celebrations
A squadron of helicopters on Tuesday morning flew into downtown Ho Chi Minh City, trailing Vietnam's national and Party flags through the sky, joined by fighter jets in a dramatic rehearsal for the upcoming 50th Reunification Day celebrations.
A helicopter trailing Vietnam’s Party flag flies over Reunification Palace in downtown Ho Chi Minh City
Taking off from Bien Hoa Airbase in neighboring Dong Nai Province, the Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters flew in a 3-4-3 formation and soared toward the southern metropolis, with their engines roaring across the sky.
The first view from the air was the meandering Dong Nai River and the historic Hoa An Bridge—once a key point in the revolutionary forces’ advance to liberate Saigon, the former name of Ho Chi Minh City, in 1975.
From the helicopters, the landscape transformed into a captivating tapestry of forests, lakes, and urban areas.
Flying at a moderate altitude allowed for clear glimpses of the life unfolding below.
As the aircraft neared downtown Ho Chi Minh City, iconic skyscrapers like Landmark 81 and Bitexco Financial Tower came into view, along with familiar structures like the Saigon and Binh Loi Bridges.
The helicopters trailed the red national and Party flags over Reunification Palace, evoking pride among spectators below.
Crowds gathered at Bach Dang Wharf and along the Saigon River section in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, waving flags and cheering as the helicopters passed overhead.
Under clear skies and bright sunlight, the flags fluttered vividly, creating a striking visual against the blue backdrop.
The flyover continued with roaring Su-30MK2 fighter jets and Yak-130 light combat aircraft, drawing enthusiastic applause.
Residents flocked to riverbanks and open spaces to capture photos and admire the jets' precise maneuvers.
The aerial rehearsal is part of a series of events leading up to the national-level parade scheduled to begin at 6:30 am on April 30, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of southern Vietnam and Reunification Day.
The grand event will feature military and police units, with full coordination between the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, and Ho Chi Minh City authorities.
Below are some highlights of the April 22 aerial rehearsal:
Meticulous pre-flight checks are underway at Bien Hoa Airbase in Dong Nai Province, a neighbor of Ho Chi Minh City, in the early morning. Photo: Tuoi Tre
A squadron of helicopters fly into Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Mi-17 and Mi-8 helicopters chosen for Vietnam’s 50th Reunification Day celebration. Photo: Tuoi Tre
A helicopter carries Vietnam’s Party flag while fighter jets can be seen performing maneuvers in the distance. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Vietnam’s Party flag flies over the Ho Chi Minh City sky. Photo: Tuoi Tre
The Water Bus terminal at Bach Dang Wharf in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City has become a popular viewing point for the aerial display and photo opportunities. Photo: Tuoi Tre
An up-close view of a Su-30MK2 fighter jet. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Two Su-30MK2 fighter jets soar over the Ho Chi Minh City sky. Photo: Duong Hoai Bao
Photos captured by a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper correspondent from inside a helicopter cockpit
Fighter jets perform impressive aerobatic maneuvers. Photos: Trinh Ha
The helicopter squadron consists of 10 aircraft flying in a 3-4-3 formation. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Fighter jets fly and execute stunning maneuvers. Photo: Tuoi Tre
The Saigon River and Thu Thiem ecological park as seen from above. Photo: Tuoi Tre
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