On April 30, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City buzzed with excitement as it celebrated the 50th anniversary of the South's liberation and national reunification. Various establishments adorned themselves with vibrant red and yellow flags, creating a festive atmosphere that resonated throughout the city. From coffee shops to bakeries, businesses eagerly embraced the spirit of the occasion, launching special menu items and decorations that captured the essence of this significant milestone.
In the heart of the city, coffee and tea shops took the lead in celebrating the anniversary by creating drinks inspired by the national flag. By early April, many cafes in central Ho Chi Minh City had transformed their spaces with red and yellow flags, while also introducing unique menu items specifically for the anniversary. For instance, Coffee Ong in District 1 launched three special edition cups featuring messages such as "50 years of Southern Liberation," "Hoang Sa, Truong Sa belong to Vietnam," and "Vietnam - An era of vươn mình." These bamboo tube glasses quickly became popular among the youth, with the shop reporting sales of 700-800 glasses on weekdays and around 1,000 on weekends.
Ur Cup Cafe also joined in on the celebrations, decorating its venue with the theme "Love coffee, love country, love peace, love the place where I was born and raised." The cafe's menu included special items designed for the anniversary, attracting customers eager for a taste of patriotism. Similarly, Nham Coffee featured a stunning map of Vietnam on its walls, complemented by high glass panels filled with hundreds of books. Their anniversary menu delighted patrons with salted coffee, milk tea, and cookies, all adorned with flag decorations.
Bakery shops were not left behind in this festive wave. Many began crafting cakes inspired by the national flag, with designs featuring tanks and the Independence Palace. NKN Bakery in District 3 introduced a range of cakes to honor the anniversary, with a set of six flag-themed cupcakes priced at 320,000 VND. Other models varied in complexity and size, ranging from 590,000 VND to about 2 million VND. Additionally, some cafes and bakeries offered baking workshops to create flag-shaped cakes, drawing enthusiastic participation from customers.
As early as April, many establishments switched to paper and plastic cups featuring messages of independence, peace, and liberation. Each drink was often served with a mini flag, adding to the celebratory ambiance. Supermarkets and retail stores joined the festivities, decorating their fruit and pastry sections with flag imagery, much to the delight of shoppers. Notably, some stores offered special gifts for customers born in 1975, further enhancing the celebratory spirit of the day.
In addition to the festivities in Ho Chi Minh City, thousands of passengers traveled to and from Hai Phong by train on the same day. The Hai Phong Railway Transport Branch took the opportunity to decorate all train cars and the station with red and yellow flags, creating a festive atmosphere for travelers. This effort was part of their plan to ensure security and safety for passengers during the holiday. A student from Thuyloi University in Hanoi, who traveled by train for the first time, expressed his admiration for the train's cleanliness and the beautiful decorations.
French tourist Omi Zahara, visiting Hai Phong to see a friend, chose the train for its scenic views, noting her impression of the flag decorations on the train cars. The Hanoi-Hai Phong railway, started in 1901, is not just a transportation route but a cultural symbol for the port city. Hai Phong station, one of Vietnam's largest and most beautiful, features French architectural influences and has preserved many original structures, including its main building and a century-old track.
As part of the celebrations, the Vietnam Railway Corporation announced plans to launch a luxury train service on the Hanoi-Hai Phong route to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Hai Phong's liberation on May 13, 2025. This train will feature 20 modern cars, including two VIP cars with luxurious interiors, aiming to attract more tourists and enhance connectivity between the capital and the port city.
On the same day, a grand parade in Ho Chi Minh City featured over 10,000 participants, including soldiers and police officers, who had trained for months to prepare for this significant event. The parade showcased various military units, including the Electronic Warfare Soldiers and female soldiers from the Peacekeeping force, who marched proudly alongside their male counterparts. The female military band, dubbed the "beauty queen block" of the parade, captivated the audience with their synchronized movements and musical performances.
The parade also highlighted the historical significance of the day, with officers representing the five military branches reminding onlookers of the events of April 30, 1975, when the liberation forces stormed Saigon, leading to the reunification of Vietnam. A military delegation from China and another from the Royal Cambodian Army participated in the parade, showcasing the spirit of friendship and solidarity.
The public's response to the parade was overwhelmingly positive, with crowds cheering along the routes as the procession moved through the city. This display of national pride and unity resonated deeply with attendees, marking a memorable celebration of Vietnam's history and resilience.
As the day drew to a close, the celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong reflected a nation united in its pride and remembrance, with citizens and visitors alike participating in the festivities that honored the 50th anniversary of the South's liberation and national reunification.
