Vietnamese and foreign leaders attend the grand ceremony marking 50 years of the liberation of the South and national reunification in HCM city on April 30, 2025.

Attendees included Party General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man; revolutionary veterans, Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, Heroes of the People’s Armed Forces, Labor Heroes, senior military officials, representatives of political and mass organizations, and individuals who contributed to the revolutionary cause.

Foreign guests included Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith; President of the Cambodian People's Party and President of the Senate of Cambodia Samdech Techo Hun Sen; Vice President of Cuba Salvador Valdés Mesa; Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives of Belarus Ipatau Vadzim; Chinese Minister of Veterans Affairs Pei Jinjia; representatives of political parties of various countries and international organizations, diplomats, and international friends. 

Prior to the official ceremony, an art program featured a massive drum show, a rifle dance, and performances by Ho Chi Minh City artists.

At 7:00 AM, the ceremony began with a flag-salute, accompanied by a 21-gun salute at Bach Dang Wharf.

Party leader To Lam delivers a speech at the ceremony.

Party General Secretary To Lam then delivered a keynote speech, affirming that the liberation of the South and national reunification marked the most brilliant milestone in the history of national construction and defense and the glorious end of the 30-year resilient struggle for independence, freedom, and reunification of the Fatherland. It put an end to the more-than-a-century domination of old and new colonialism.

He expressed deep gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh and honored the immense contributions of past revolutionary leaders, fallen heroes, Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, veterans, war invalids, and the people of Vietnam at home and abroad who devoted themselves to the cause of national liberation.

The Party leader sincerely thanked the international friends, progressive forces, and peace-loving people around the world for their support for Vietnam's struggle for independence and national reunification.

"Time will pass, but the victory of the Vietnamese people will forever shine in our national history as a brilliant symbol of revolutionary heroism. It is a triumph of justice, of the Vietnamese will, spirit, and intellect—a testament to passionate patriotism and an unyielding desire for independence, freedom, and reunification. It affirms the enduring truth that 'Vietnam is one, and the Vietnamese people are one,' and fulfills President Ho Chi Minh’s deepest wish: the complete liberation of the South and the reunification of the nation," he said.

The General Secretary emphasized key factors behind the April 30, 1975 victory, including the leadership of the Communist Party and great national unity. He affirmed that over the past 50 years, including nearly 40 years of renewal, Vietnam has overcome many challenges to achieve historic, wide-ranging accomplishments with growing stature and prestige in the global stage.

Mr. Lam reaffirmed the current generation’s duty to carry out President Ho Chi Minh’s final instructions that the Party must develop the best possible plans for economic and cultural development, while continually improving the material and spiritual well-being of all citizens, particularly those living in remote, border, island areas, and former resistance bases. 

“Deeply aware of the great strength of the people and the great national unity bloc, Vietnam consistently upholds the principle that the people are the roots, the center, the subject, and the ultimate goal of national development and defense. It is necessary to strongly implement the policy of national harmony and reconciliation with the spirit that we all have the blood of Lac Hong, are all brothers and sisters, ‘like trees of the same root, like children of the same family.’”

“All Vietnamese people are citizens of Vietnam, all have the right to live, work, and freely pursue happiness and love in the homeland, and have the right and duty to contribute to national development. With the policy of closing the past, respecting differences, looking towards the future, our entire Party, people and army together strive to build a peaceful, unified, happy, prosperous and developed Vietnam,” he said.

General Secretary To Lam emphasized that the Vietnamese nation has endured immense suffering and loss due to war in the past, but has also greatly benefitted from peace, cooperation, and friendship over the past decades.

“Vietnam earnestly desires to work with the international community to build a future of peace, prosperity, unity, and development. We will deepen our friendship and cooperation with countries around the world with the motto: 'Vietnam is a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community.'”

“We will continue to reform mechanisms and policies to create favorable conditions for international friends and overseas Vietnamese, who carry Vietnamese cultural identity, have grown up in developed countries, have expertise and management skills, and have extensive international connections, to contribute to Vietnam’s socio-economic development," he said.

General Secretary To Lam expressed confidence that with their mettle, intelligence, and strength, the Vietnamese people have secured the historic Great Spring Victory and will continue to attain even greater victories and remarkable achievements in the new era of prosperity, civilisation, and national rise, making Vietnam a country that is “more dignified and beautiful" and stands shoulder to shoulder with great powers of the five continents, fulfilling the aspirations of President Ho Chi Minh and of the entire nation.

Following Mr. Lam address, representatives of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign forces and the Vietnamese youth delivers speeches. The General Secretary presented the title Labor Hero to the Party, authorities, and people of Ho Chi Minh City.

Major General Tran Ngoc Tho

Major General Tran Ngoc Tho, former Chief of Staff of Military Zone 7, representing the forces involved in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, affirmed that the memories of the wartime struggle will forever remain in the hearts of the Vietnamese people whenever the great victory is recalled. He expressed profound gratitude to the people across the country who sacrificed, sheltered, supported, and cared for the soldiers during the resistance war, declaring, 'Without the people, there would be no us today.'

“Our generation is proud to affirm that we fulfilled our mission to fight and win, to reunify the country and lay the foundation for national development. We firmly believe that today's and future generations will uphold the proud traditions of our forebears, the Vietnamese people, and the Vietnam People’s Army—the spirit of fighting and winning.”

“With unwavering dedication, they will work to build a more prosperous, beautiful, and happy nation, confidently leading Vietnam into a new era, standing shoulder to shoulder with the great powers of the five continents,” said Tho.

At 8:00 AM the grand parade officially began with a flyover of helicopters carrying the Party and national flags, and fighter jets of the Vietnam People’s Army above central Ho Chi Minh City.

Then came a procession featuring Vietnam's national emblem, President Ho Chi Minh, and the symbol of the 50th anniversary of national reunification.

The parade featured 13,000 participants across more than 50 formations. It began on Le Duan Avenue, passed the grandstand in front of the Independence Palace in District 1, and then split into four directions, dispersing toward designated gathering points across the city.

Tens of thousands of citizens lined the streets along the parade route to cheer and welcome the participating officials, soldiers, and civilians.