A heartwarming video capturing a young man standing on a rooftop in Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province, waving the Vietnamese national flag to salute a formation of helicopters flying overhead, has moved countless netizens.

The 20-second clip, which surfaced recently on social media, shows the military helicopters practicing over Dong Nai ahead of the celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the liberation of southern Vietnam and national reunification (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025).

The emotional moment quickly went viral, garnering widespread attention and touching the hearts of many. Social media users expressed pride and admiration for the young man’s simple yet powerful gesture.

Le Thi Xuan, a resident of Trang Dai Ward, shared that she had watched the video repeatedly. “Although it was a simple act, it carried profound meaning,” she said. “The sight of the young man standing on the rooftop, waving the flag to the passing helicopters, was truly beautiful. I believe that moment touched many hearts.”

Patriotism in a spontaneous act

The young man in the video has been identified as Tran Viet Duong, 29, from Ho Nai Ward, Bien Hoa City.

According to Duong, upon hearing the sound of helicopter engines, he rushed to the rooftop to witness the flight formation. Waving the flag was his way of showing patriotism and national pride.

In an interview with VietNamNet, Duong said, “I didn’t expect that moment to gain so much attention. When I saw the helicopters passing by, I just wanted to send a greeting and express my respect to those performing important duties for the nation.”

He explained that his action was entirely spontaneous, driven by his deep love for the country and admiration for the air force pilots. “I think the pilots on those helicopters are on a sacred mission, flying over the homeland to prepare for a momentous national celebration. That’s why I wanted to send them the most respectful greeting,” he said.

Duong also revealed that his passion for the military originated from his long cycling trips across the country. “I have cycled along numerous routes throughout Vietnam, especially passing historical sites. Standing before these places, I could feel the immense sacrifices made by heroes who gave their lives for the nation. This has nurtured my passion for military-related activities,” he shared.

His spontaneous and patriotic act has received widespread support from the online community, with many praising his spirit and pride in the nation.

“Whenever I see military aircraft, I think of the soldiers working tirelessly to protect our skies and the heroic victories of our forefathers. That’s why, when I saw the helicopters flying over, I couldn’t hold back my emotions and raised the flag to show my respect,” Duong added.

Though brief, the moment has left a lasting impression, serving as a reminder that simple gestures can carry great symbolic value and inspire many.

Hoang Anh