On the night of April 19, thousands of people flocked to downtown Ho Chi Minh City to watch a spectacular fireworks show and artistic performances in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s reunification.

As early as 7 p.m., major streets such as Ton Duc Thang, Le Loi, and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, along with both sides of Bach Dang Wharf Park by the Saigon River, were packed with spectators.

The events are part of the "Colors of Ho Chi Minh City" cultural and sports program, launched by the municipal Department of Culture and Sports. The program officially began at 7:30 p.m. on April 19 and will continue through April 30, marking the historic occasion of Vietnam’s national reunification.

Many people arrived early, bringing snacks and picnic mats, and settled on the sidewalks along the river to secure a good view of the show.

Mong Bridge in District 1, located about one kilometer from the launch site, was also crowded with onlookers patiently waiting and facing toward the riverbanks for hours.

A key attraction was the artillery display by Brigade 96, which drew large crowds during the lead-up to the fireworks.

At 8 p.m., an elaborate 3D mapping show themed “50 Years of Heritage and the Future” was projected onto the façade of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee building. The show was a collaborative project by creative teams from Vietnam, France, Belgium, and Singapore.

At exactly 9:30 p.m., the fireworks display lit up the skies. One of the best viewpoints was from District 2, offering a sweeping view of the color-filled Ba Son Bridge and the Saigon River.

According to the HCMC Military Command, fireworks shows will be held on three nights: April 19, April 26, and the main celebration night on April 30. The final show will feature both high- and low-altitude fireworks at 30 different locations across the city.

Among the crowds were families with children and groups of young people. Many said they came to see the early fireworks display before returning to their hometowns for the April 30 holiday.

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phung, who traveled with her family from the outskirts of the city, said they wore red shirts with yellow stars and drove dozens of kilometers to District 1 to witness the show. “This is our way of showing patriotism and celebrating together,” she said.

During the evening, more than 20 central roads in Ho Chi Minh City were blocked off to accommodate the fireworks show, drone performance, and art exhibitions on floating barges.

Nguyen Hue & The Bang