Despite their old age, weakness and long routes, many veterans from all over the country have traveled hundreds, even thousands of kilometers to Ho Chi Minh City during these days. They brought a burning heart, full of pride and emotion to witness the heroic atmosphere and the vibrant atmosphere of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025).
Moving into the flow of people to the center of Ho Chi Minh City from the morning of April 30, the image of the silver head, the imprinted appearance traces of time that made many people touched. They are soldiers in the past, who contributed to the blood of the nation's golden history. Today, they returned to Ho Chi Minh City, a historic land, to witness the change and development of the city and the maturity of the Vietnam People's Army.
From April 26, Mr. Khuat Duy Cat and his wife, veterans of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, flew overnight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City to watch the general parade and then the official April 30 grand festival. "Seeing from afar, Ho Chi Minh City has changed a lot, is more spacious and modern than decades ago. Seeing everyone eagerly waiting to see the parade, I was very happy and excited," Mr. Cat emotionally shared.
Mr. Cat said, when he saw the rows of soldiers arranged and paced on the roads, the red flags with yellow stars flying all over the sky in the majestic music of the army, he could not hold back his tears. "It felt like reliving a part of my youth," he said choking up. In addition, Ms. Le Thi Nga could not hide her excitement: "Hearing a parade was a 'blood' couple, flying thousands of kilometers from Hanoi to here to see, only returning after the April 30 holiday".
Having traveled more than 1,600 km from Thai Nguyen, Mr. Le Kim Ha (76 years old), a veteran of Division 308, has also been in Ho Chi Minh City for a few days before the April 30 holiday.
"I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City before the wedding with my son, I have seen many activities in the city, I am very happy. I didn't expect it to be so crowded, I arrived at 3am and didn't even have a seat," said Mr. Ha. This is his sixth time returning to Ho Chi Minh City, and every time he comes, the city brings him a new feeling, a surprise at the development, civilization, and affection of this land.
Mr. Ha said that when he saw the parade starting to pass, he did not leave every step of the soldiers. Each bustling drum beat, each heroic military melody is like a memory of a time of fire and bullets. He stood up straight, raised his arms respectfully, then shook hands affectionately with the young soldiers walking on the roadside. "We hope and appreciate you all, I hope you will always keep the tradition of our army", Mr. Ha sent his trust and hope to the younger generation.
