9-month-old baby becomes a "little soldier", checking in with the ceremonial artillery at Bach Dang wharf

As the 50th anniversary of National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) approaches, the atmosphere at Bach Dang Wharf (District 1) becomes more and more bustling. Standing out in the middle of the bustling city is the image of 105mm cannons neatly placed, facing the Saigon River.

Baby transforms into "little soldier", checks in with the ceremonial artillery at Bach Dang wharf (Video: Cam Tien).

Order clothes 2 months in advance for check-in

Among the crowd, the family of Ms. Huynh Hong Suong (28 years old, Tan Binh district) stood out with the image of her 9-month-old son wearing a uniform imitating a military uniform, holding a red flag with a yellow star.

"I ordered this outfit 2-3 months ago just in time for this holiday. I want my child to feel the spirit of patriotism and traditional national values ​​from a young age," she shared.

Although she has lived in Ho Chi Minh City for nearly 10 years, this is the first time Ms. Suong has come to Bach Dang Wharf. She could not hide her emotion: "The atmosphere is very joyful, the festival is grand, there are cannons, I see that April 30 is celebrated very heroically, making me both happy and proud."

Ms. Hong Suong's family invested in a set of clothes simulating military uniforms for their son (Photo: Cam Tien).

Ms. Suong also revealed that she had plans to take her son to watch the parade on April 30, however, she was also worried that her son was still young and could not stand the crowds and heat. "I hope that my son will grow up with a patriotic spirit and be grateful to the previous generation," she said.

From the night of April 6, the nearly 4-ton cannons were transported from Dong Nai to the center of Ho Chi Minh City, installed on a flat, sturdy surface at Bach Dang wharf to prepare for the ceremony on April 30. The ceremonial artillery formation of Brigade 96 consisted of 233 officers and soldiers divided into 5 platoons, each platoon operating 3 cannons.

The artillery force practices firing artillery according to the schedule in the morning from 6:30 to 11:00 and in the afternoon from 14:00 to 16:00. In particular, on April 15, 17 and 22, live ammunition will be used for training, to ensure the sound is even and in time with the National Anthem during the official ceremony.

^{People come to check-in with the fireworks display, creating a bustling atmosphere at Bach Dang wharf (Photo: Cam Tien).}

The appearance of the ceremonial fireworks created a bustling atmosphere at Bach Dang Wharf. Many locals and tourists flocked here to admire and take souvenir photos with the cannons.

Surrounding roads such as Ton Duc Thang and Nguyen Hue also became crowded, and authorities had to constantly assign people to regulate traffic to ensure safety.

Consulate General of the Netherlands: "Seeing happiness on everyone's face"

In the crowd, Ms. Dang Thi Nguyet Anh (Go Vap) and her sister - Ms. Dang Thi Nguyet Hong (Tan Phu) - and their close sisters came to take photos of the ceremonial artillery. They are the daughters of People's Armed Forces Hero Dang Minh Nhuan (aka Bay Den), who held the position of company commander, directly commanding the battle of Ap Bac and many other battles in the My Tho area (Tien Giang).

Wearing a stylized red Ao Ba Ba with her close friends, Ms. Anh said: "I want to join in the joy of the country's reunification day. I am happy because the country is so peaceful, but at the same time, I also miss my father, who sacrificed his life for the peace of the nation."

Ms. Nguyet Anh (middle) and Ms. Nguyet Hong (second from right) remember their father's sacrifice when checking in at Bach Dang wharf (Photo: Cam Tien).

When she saw many young people wearing red flag shirts with yellow stars or many mothers dressing their children in miniature soldier uniforms coming here to take pictures and learn about history, she felt full of confidence: "I see the country's future is very bright. Young people today love their country in their own way."

Meanwhile, Ms. Nguyet Hong revealed that she and a special group of friends will return to Bach Dang wharf to take another photo series.

"Our group is very special. We have been close friends since kindergarten, eating and sleeping together because our parents were both busy fighting. Our parents were soldiers, some were leaders during the anti-American resistance war, and some were martyrs," Ms. Hong said.

Now, the group of young friends at that time are older, but still keep the habit of meeting on big holidays as a way to reminisce and show gratitude to the previous generation.

International visitors also expressed their excitement at witnessing the atmosphere of preparation for an important event in Vietnam.

After work, Mr. Daniel Stork - Consulate General of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City - took the opportunity to visit Bach Dang wharf, joining the crowd pouring into the central area to enjoy the atmosphere of the April 30 holiday.

Consul General of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City Daniel Stork takes a photo with a baby (Photo: Cam Tien).

In the crowd, the image of a tall foreign man, walking slowly around the cannons, carefully holding his phone up to capture beautiful scenes, attracted attention. When many people asked for permission to take photos with him, he enthusiastically participated.

"I see a very joyful atmosphere here today. Many women even took selfies with the cannons. I feel the joy of everyone. They are happy to live in freedom, in a sovereign country. It feels great!", he shared.

For Mr. Daniel Stork, the most impressive thing was not only the fireworks or the grandeur of the celebration, but... the smiles on the faces of every local resident.

"I was very impressed with the brilliance and color in the way Vietnam celebrated. This is an occasion to honor freedom and the country's independence. But what impressed me most was the happiness and freedom on everyone's faces here," said the Dutch Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City.

He revealed that he will attend the parade with the Dutch ambassador from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on April 30. "We are looking forward to witnessing such a great event," he said.

To ensure safety, people are advised not to approach the fireworks area too closely and to follow the instructions of the authorities. The fireworks practice will end before April 26, in preparation for the official ceremony on April 30.

On the night of April 30, Ho Chi Minh City will organize fireworks displays at 30 locations, including 2 high-altitude locations (at the Saigon River tunnel and Ben Duoc Martyrs Memorial Temple) and 28 low-altitude locations, the largest number ever.

At Bach Dang wharf, people can enjoy a brilliant fireworks display at high altitude.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/be-9-thang-lam-chien-si-nho-check-in-cung-dan-phao-le-tai-ben-bach-dang-20250417141043955.htm