Organized by the Central Steering Committee for major national holidays and historical events (2023–2025), the rehearsal aimed to fine-tune coordination and command among forces, ensuring a flawless performance for the upcoming ceremony.

Present at the rehearsal were key leaders including Nguyen Trong Nghia, Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Communication and Education; General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense; Nguyen Van Nen, Secretary of the HCMC Party Committee; Colonel General Trinh Van Quyet, Director of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People’s Army; Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh; and other central and local leaders.

Thousands of citizens line the streets

Though the rehearsal officially started at 8 p.m., thousands of residents had already gathered along major streets like Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Le Loi, Cach Mang Thang Tam, Le Thanh Ton – Nguyen Hue, Nguyen Dinh Chieu – Dinh Tien Hoang, and Hai Ba Trung from as early as 2 p.m. to cheer and show support for the parade forces.

Despite scorching temperatures of around 33°C and a sudden rain shower an hour before the event, soldiers stood firm in their positions, singing revolutionary songs and chants in honor of President Ho Chi Minh.

Massive display of unity and discipline

The event involved more than 13,000 participants. It opened with a vibrant 30-minute cultural and musical performance featuring over 1,000 artists.

Themed “The heroic song of total victory,” the drum performance by the People's Police Academy and the artistic formation “The nation’s joy” set a powerful tone for the parade.

The opening procession included ceremonial vehicles displaying the Vietnamese national emblem, the Party flag, the national flag, and a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh. During the national anthem, a ceremonial cannon unit at Bach Dang Wharf fired 21 rounds.

The parade featured participation from Vietnam’s armed forces and, notably, for the first time, units from the armies of China, Laos, and Cambodia joined the rehearsal.

Diverse parade formations

A total of 38 armed force formations took part: 25 from the military and militia and 13 from the police. International military units from China, Laos, and Cambodia marched alongside 12 civic organizations representing Vietnamese citizens, including veterans, farmers, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and youth.

Vietnamese Army and militia blocks included: Command vehicles; Military Flag squad; Women’s Military Band; officers representing five major military campaigns; Liberation Army; Land Force; Navy; Air Defense – Air Force; Border Defense; Coast Guard; Logistics and Technical officers; female officers from Signal Corps, Medical Corps, Peacekeeping Force; Cyber Operations; Electronic Warfare; Mechanized Units; Special Forces; female urban commandos; Paratroopers; sea militia; Southern female guerrillas; Northern female militia; and the Red Flag unit.

International blocks included:

People’s Liberation Army of China
Lao People’s Army
Royal Cambodian Armed Forces

Police units featured: Command and Flag squads; male officers from Security and Public Order Forces; Fire and Rescue; Aviation Police; female traffic police; HCMC Police officers; UN peacekeeping police officers; riot police (both men and women); auxiliary riot units; grassroots security forces; and mounted riot police.

A stirring moment for citizens and soldiers alike

The parade extended through four main routes across downtown HCMC:

Nam Ky Khoi Nghia – Le Loi – Nguyen Hue – Bach Dang Park
Nam Ky Khoi Nghia – Le Loi – Le Lai – Cach Mang Thang Tam – Tao Dan Park
Nam Ky Khoi Nghia – Nguyen Dinh Chieu – Dinh Tien Hoang – Hoa Lu Stadium
Nam Ky Khoi Nghia – Dien Bien Phu – Hai Ba Trung – Le Van Tam Park

As parade formations passed, citizens enthusiastically waved, saluted, and captured the moment with their phones. The spirit of unity and patriotism permeated the air, despite the demanding weather.

One standout was soldier Le Hoang Hiep from the Five-Armies Block, whose video quickly went viral on social media after engaging with young fans taking pictures along the parade route.

Bich Tram, a resident of District 7, said she waited six hours just to witness and connect with the soldiers in person.

A historic milestone of friendship and remembrance

With the participation of military forces from neighboring countries and thousands of Vietnamese citizens, the parade rehearsal was more than just a celebration - it was a powerful message of solidarity, peace, and pride in the nation’s enduring legacy.

The official parade and ceremony are scheduled to take place on the morning of April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, marking half a century since Vietnam’s reunification.

Tran Thuong, Pham Hai, Hoang Ha, Nguyen Hue, Thach Thao