In photos: Vietnam celebrates 50 years of Reunification

A float with structure commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War is marched during a parade in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. On April 30, 2025, Vietnam celebrates Reunification Day (Liberation Day). This is a significant holiday commemorating the end of the Vietnam War and the reunification of the country in 1975.

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On April 30, 1975, North Vietnamese troops stormed the Independence Palace in central Saigon — now known as Ho Chi Minh City — ending the almost 20-year war that caused great losses to both North and South Vietnam, as well as the South's ally the United States.

(Photo: AP)

This year the country is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the historic event of reunification, with special commemorations planned in Ho Chi Minh City, where the reunification occurred.

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Reunification Day is marked by musical performances, mostly by historical songs that aim to remind the people of the past victories, of the resilience and perseverance of Vietnamese forces. On this day, the Vietnam flag is flown in front of every home, while the city streets are adorned with red banners and flags.

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Reunification Day is celebrated throughout the country with great enthusiasm and fervor, as it holds great cultural and historical significance for the Vietnamese people. On this occasion, both domestic and international offices are closed. All business activities in the city are temporarily suspended.

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Drummers perform during a parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. The reunification marked the end of the American War and the formal unification of North and South Vietnam.

(Photo:AP)

A float carrying a portrait of the late Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh takes part in a parade during the 50th anniversary celebration of the end of the Vietnam War. Ho Chi Minh was a prominent Vietnamese revolutionary, political leader, and the first President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam).

(Photo:AP)

Vietnam War veterans on an open bus pass the Independence Palace during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. It's also a time for reconciliation and acknowledging historical ties, with China's participation in the celebrations this year highlighting the strengthening of relations between the two countries.

(Photo:AP)