Helicopters and fighter jets practice in the sky of Ho Chi Minh City

On the morning of March 27, people in the central area of Ho Chi Minh City were surprised to hear the roar of airplanes and discover a series of Su-30MK2 fighters, Yak-130s and helicopters appearing in the sky above the Reunification Hall (Independence Palace historical site). These were training planes in preparation for a performance on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025).

Báo Tin Tức•27/03/2025

Accordingly, about 10 Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters, 6 Y-130 training fighter jets, and 7 Su-30MK2 fighters took off from Bien Hoa airport (Dong Nai) and flew into the sky of Ho Chi Minh City. This was the first time the squadron conducted a training flight in the center of Ho Chi Minh City after nearly a month of training in the southern region.

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On the morning of March 27, Mi-8, Mi-17... helicopters departed from Bien Hoa airport towards Ho Chi Minh City.

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From above, pilots can see the whole view of the Saigon River.

Each group flies about 3-5 minutes apart, with helicopters in a 3-4-3 formation, fighter jets in each group of 3-4, the first group is 1-2 km away from the next group. When arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, the planes will enter from the An Phu area (Thu Duc city), along the Saigon River and then to the Reunification Hall.

In the central area, the aircraft will be at an altitude of 350 - 400 m, reaching the riverbank at Bach Dang Wharf without any buildings, and will descend about 200 m. The Y-130 and Su-30MK2 will perform many complex aerobatic maneuvers, flying in separate groups...

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In Ho Chi Minh City, people were surprised to see helicopters appear in the sky.

Previously, in preparation for the rehearsal at Thong Nhat Hall, from 6am today, a series of aircrafts trained in the Bien Hoa airport area. At the Flight Command Center located on the roof of Diamond Plaza shopping mall (District 1), Major General Nguyen Phung Tuan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Defense - Air Force, along with many officers, soldiers, communication systems, and flight command and control training in the sky of Ho Chi Minh City.

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Fighter planes fly in 3-4-3 formation.

Previously, the Ministry of National Defense surveyed and mapped the flight area in the city center, coordinated with civil aviation to unify flight plans and routes, ensuring absolute safety. The series of demonstration aircraft of the Air Defense - Air Force is part of the program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of national reunification organized by the Central Steering Committee for Celebrating Major Holidays, the Ministry of National Defense and Ho Chi Minh City.

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Su-30MK2 fighters fly in a 3-4-3 formation.

In addition to the air force performance, on the morning of April 30, on Le Duan Street, there will be a parade with 21 cannon shots fired to the background of the Vietnamese National Anthem, a parade of model cars with the National Emblem - Party flags, national flags - cars carrying the portrait of President Ho Chi Minh; parades of military, militia and self-defense forces; parades of police forces; and parades of the masses. The total number of forces mobilized for the parade is expected to be about 13,000 people.

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