"Southward" itinerary to discover a series of exciting experiences on April 30

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City – April 30

Morning: Attend the parade

This is a national parade gathering more than 13,000 participants, with parades of armed forces and parades of people from all walks of life, creating a particularly solemn and heroic atmosphere.

From 6:30 a.m., the parade departed from the intersection of Le Duan - Nguyen Binh Khiem, headed towards the Independence Palace and divided into four directions moving through the central streets of District 1.

You can choose a viewing location on routes such as Le Duan, Nguyen Binh Khiem, Pasteur, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia. Note that many central routes will be banned or restricted from early morning to serve the parade, you should arrive early to choose a convenient location.

Afternoon: Visit Cu Chi Tunnels

Leaving the center of Ho Chi Minh City, you travel about 70km to Cu Chi Tunnels - a destination that has gone down in the history of the Vietnamese people's struggle as a legend of the 20th century.

Tunnels at Cu Chi Tunnels. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain

This tunnel system was once the place where our army and people lived and fought during the war. The entire Cu Chi tunnels have a total length of 250km, divided into 3 different depths. Here, you will experience the feeling of crawling through narrow tunnels, reviewing mine traps, shelters and learning more about the unimaginable hardships of the Vietnamese army and people during the war.

Evening: Watch fireworks at Ben Duoc Temple

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification this year, Ho Chi Minh City will set off fireworks at 30 locations, including two high-altitude locations at the Saigon River Tunnel Area (Thu Duc City) and Ben Duoc Temple (Cu Chi District).

So, after visiting the tunnels, you can stay in the evening to watch the high-altitude fireworks display at Ben Duoc Temple, from 9:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.

Day 2: Tay Ninh – May 1

Morning: Visit the Southern Central Office Base

From Ho Chi Minh City, you travel about 80km to the Central Office of the South in Tay Ninh. This used to be the headquarters of the Southern revolution during the resistance war. Here, you will visit many relics such as the residences and offices of comrades Nguyen Van Linh, Nguyen Chi Thanh, Vo Van Kiet...; visit Hoang Cam kitchen, communal dining room, meeting hall... connected by a system of trenches over 1,200m long and 430m of walking trails, all located under the lush green canopy of the forest.

Housing of leaders at the Central Office for Southern Vietnam. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain

Afternoon: Visit Ba Den Mountain

Ba Den Mountain at an altitude of 986m is not only a sacred mountain associated with a system of famous spiritual works. During the resistance war, the mountain peak was occupied by the US and built the most modern communications base in Indochina, which was likened to "divine eyes", an impregnable flying fortress... Every cave, tree root, and trail here bears the blood and bones of heroic martyrs, contributing significantly to the historic victory of April 30, 1975.

Burn incense at Kim Quang cave

At the foot of the mountain, you can walk about 500m up to Kim Quang Cave. Burn incense to commemorate the heroic martyrs who sacrificed here. The cave used to be a forward post, hosting many battles. Here, 60 comrades lived in extremely harsh conditions, enduring bombs, bullets, and toxic chemicals from the enemy, but still steadfastly clung to the mountain.

Kim Quang Cave seen from the cable car up the mountain. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain

Visiting the heroic martyrs at Hang Pagoda

From the foot of the mountain, you take the cable car to the Ba Pagoda system. Here, Hang Pagoda was once a shelter and fighting place for our army and people, where 181 officers and soldiers sacrificed their lives in the resistance war against America.

From Hang Pagoda, you can go to Linh Son Tien Thach Tu and Dien Ba - the oldest place of worship on Ba Den Mountain to pay homage to Linh Son Thanh Mau Bodhisattva. This is known as a famous sacred spiritual place, associated with the legend of Ba Den appearing and saving all living beings.

Remembering the heroes on the mountain top

From Ba Pagoda, you take the cable car to the top of the mountain, burn incense at Son Than Temple - the place to worship Linh Son Thanh Mau Bodhisattva, and also the place to worship the brave soldiers who heroically sacrificed at Ba Den Mountain.

Ba Den Mountain peak during the flag-raising ceremony. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain

Ba Den Mountain is also a unique spiritual and cultural destination in the South, home to the tallest bronze statue of Buddha Tay Bo Da Son in Asia, and the largest sandstone statue of Bodhisattva Maitreya in the world. Here, you can explore the Buddhist exhibition space applying modern 3D technology, simulated versions of classic Buddhist works in the world.

On this occasion, when coming to Ba Den Mountain , you can also participate in many meaningful experiences during the Vesak month such as the Buddha bathing ceremony at Tay Bo Da Son Square to celebrate the birth of Buddha; See the Buddhist-themed painting exhibition by artist Hoang Phong with 45 paintings, which are famous spiritual destinations across the country. If you come to Ba Den Mountain on Saturday, don't forget to stay the evening to attend the ceremony to pay tribute to the heroic martyrs, and offer prayers for peace, luck and happiness to the Buddhas.

Veterans pay tribute to heroes at Ba Den Mountain. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain

Tay Ninh is only about 80km from Ho Chi Minh City, so you can travel by car or motorbike. Or you can also choose package tours for convenient sightseeing. Currently, many travel agencies have created quite attractive tour packages for the occasion of April 30. You can consider the "Golden Star Journey" tour of Saigontourist with prices starting from only 1,499,000 VND. The tour departs from Ho Chi Minh City to touch history, heritage, culinary quintessence, pride and touch peace with a series of unique experiences at Ba Den Mountain.

Tung Duong

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/lich-trinh-nam-tien-de-kham-pha-loat-trai-nghiem-hap-dan-dip-30-4-245938.htm