Hunting for a place to watch the parade during the grand festival

National Reunification Day: An Unprecedented Big Date

"Are you going to see the parade on April 30?", "What is the closest and clearest place to see it?", "I guess I have to go early in the morning to get in?"... In recent days, people in Ho Chi Minh City greet each other like this when they meet. Not only in person, for the past half month, dates have also taken place on all social networking sites. Regardless of age, gender, people born and raised in Saigon or those who have come here to work abroad, all date, plan, and choose places to go out together on April 30, to join in the atmosphere that promises to be unprecedentedly grand. It is clear that the unprecedented parade in history has been and is bringing people closer together than ever.

The first parade is expected to bring an explosive April 30 holiday season to Ho Chi Minh City.

Photo: NGOC DUONG

"Every day I serve about 10 customers, mostly young people around 18-20 years old who come to get their hair done and ask where I'm going, if I'm going to watch the parade with them. Some older people from the North also shared that they're staying in the city this year to celebrate the holiday, and also invited me to watch the parade if I don't go back to my hometown this time. I don't have a day off from work so I won't be able to go to District 1, but I heard that the parade will pass by this street, so the staff in the shop will go to work very early that day, buy flags and flowers, and prepare some snacks to welcome the group passing by," said Mr. Tran Tung, an employee at a hair salon on Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street (District 3).

Mr. D.S, who works in District 3, shared that his mother wants to go see the parade, so he is looking for a place suitable for the elderly. "My mother is nearly 70 years old but is very excited, while my daughter is still too young, so I will go with her," said Mr. D.S.

The map of the 4 parade routes of more than 35 armed forces, police, with the participation of students and workers has also been widely circulated on fanpages, so that everyone can prepare their schedules and choose the most convenient viewing point. According to the plan, the parade will begin at 6:30 a.m. on April 30. The groups will depart from the intersection of Le Duan - Nguyen Binh Khiem to Thong Nhat Hall, then split into 4 directions to the gathering points. The most "prime" locations to fully watch the parade below the street are indicated, including major intersections such as Le Duan - Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Le Duan - Dong Khoi, Le Duan - Dinh Tien Hoang... or the area near the US Consulate (Le Duan Street)...

Ho Chi Minh City residents are eagerly awaiting the parade on April 30.

Photo: NHAT THINH

With the anticipation and excitement of the city's residents and tourists from all over, it is predicted that the streets will be packed with people. Therefore, many people attending this "grand feast" plan to arrive from 3 to 4 am to find the best spot. Many companies and offices located along Nguyen Hue, Le Duan, Phung Khac Khoan, Hai Ba Trung, CMT8, Nguyen Dinh Chieu streets... are considered to have "won the jackpot" because they do not need to jostle with the crowd to have a nice, cool place to watch the parade. However, they still have to go early before 5 am, if they are lucky enough to get to their offices in time to enjoy it.

The streets are packed, and restaurants and hotels where you can watch the parade from above have been overbooked for more than two weeks. It's hopeless to book a table at this hour.

Contacting Sofitel Saigon Hotel, which has the "S" Pool Bar & Dining restaurant on the 18th floor with a panoramic view of the city center, the hotel staff replied that the room bookings for the April 30 - May 1 holiday period were already full so they would not accept any more. The room system at Sofitel according to the holiday booking schedule also had no vacancies. Similarly, a representative of Sheraton Hotel also announced that they would not open the lunch buffet service at the restaurant during the holidays so customers could not book a table to watch the parade. The hotel rooms with a view of the parade held by Sheraton were also full.

4 parade routes

Photo: Organizing Committee

As one of the hotels with the most prime location, customers who have booked rooms at Kim Do - Royal Hotel Saigon will be able to witness the entire parade going in the direction of number 2 along Nguyen Hue Street to Ben Nha Rong. However, Ms. Vu Thi Thanh Hien, Director of Royal Hotel Saigon, had to apologize to customers who just contacted to book rooms now, because: "On April 29 and 30, the hotel is fully booked. In the past few days, customers have asked a lot but there are no more rooms to accept, what a pity. Not only customers who have booked rooms but also hotel staff are planning to welcome the parade here together. That day will definitely be an extremely happy and meaningful day", Ms. Hien shared.

"Magnet" attracting foreign customers

Not only is Ho Chi Minh City considered a hot spot for domestic tourism during the April 30 - May 1 holiday season this year, it is also expected to become a "magnet" attracting international visitors during this time.

According to Condé Nast Traveler (CNTraveller) magazine , Ho Chi Minh City was voted the best destination to visit in 2025, because this is the time of the great celebration of the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification, along with the appearance of metro line No. 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien). These events contributed to making the city named after Uncle Ho become the cultural center of Southeast Asia.

The city is also considered one of the fastest-growing and fastest-recovering tourism hubs in the world after the pandemic. "There is no better time to visit Ho Chi Minh City than in 2025 - exactly 50 years after the end of the Vietnam War," CNTraveller wrote.

Travel companies are also clearly recording the trend of foreign tourists "flocking" to Ho Chi Minh City during the holidays. Mr. Pham Anh Vu, Deputy General Director of Viet Travel Company, said that the number of visitors participating in tours and staying in Ho Chi Minh City through Viet Travel on the occasion of April 30 recorded a significant growth, nearly 30% more than the same period last year. Currently, the company has finalized the number of groups with a total of nearly 700 guests. Of which, the number of visitors from China, Korea, the US and Southeast Asian countries (Cambodia, Philippines) account for the main markets with a stay of 5-7 days. Popular itineraries in Ho Chi Minh City chosen by foreign tourists are: City tour (Independence Palace, Ben Thanh Market, War Remnants Museum), Cu Chi sightseeing and Saigon River tour, night experience. Long-term tour itineraries often combine other destinations such as the Mekong Delta, Nha Trang beach or Da Lat...

Mr. Pham Anh Vu informed: For most groups of guests staying in Ho Chi Minh City, the main experiences will be city tours to explore the history and culture of Ho Chi Minh City, experience local cuisine and participate in unique cultural activities such as watching water puppetry or enjoying special shows such as Chao Show, A O ... In particular, this year most of the schedule is associated with a part of the experience with major events such as the parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification and related activities...

"We have also communicated to international partners and domestic tourist groups information about the parade including time, route... along with recommendations and instructions to ensure safety and experience for tourists when participating in large, crowded events such as the April 30 holiday this year. Tour guides will direct the groups to waiting areas near the event or change the schedule to visit places near the event (such as the Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh Museum). Although they are foreigners, coming to Vietnam for tourism, we still note that this is a major event of historical significance, so tourists need to show a solemn attitude and respect the atmosphere of the ceremony. All groups expressed great interest and look forward to participating in this event," added the leader of Vietnam Tourism.

At Vietravel Company, tourism products related to the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification and Ho Chi Minh City inner-city tours are also the focus of tourists booking tours. Half-day and one-day inner-city products have seen a spike in bookings since the first week of April. It is currently the last month of the peak inbound season, but Vietravel still records quite a bustling business situation. Previously, Vietravel cooperated with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism to build many tourism products associated with the 30.4 holiday, typically the journey "50-year train: Journey connecting cultural regions". "The tour lasts 18 days and 17 nights, taking guests through historical sites such as Quang Tri, Hue, experiencing the 5 most beautiful train routes in Vietnam, and taking a cruise on Ha Long Bay and Nha Trang. In particular, visitors will arrive at the Independence Palace at exactly 11:30 on April 30 - the moment the Palace gate opens, symbolizing the historic moment of unification. Foreign guests are extremely excited about this tour program," said a representative of Vietravel.

The leader of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism affirmed that the city's tourism industry has completed a plan to serve the explosive number of visitors during the 5-day holiday from April 30 to May 1, expecting to generate "huge" revenue, following the achievement of VND 7,690 billion during the Lunar New Year 2025, the highest in the country.

Up to now, the streets where the parade and marching procession pass by are certainly crowded, the most beautiful dating spots are also full. However, this does not reduce the determination to go out and join in the common joy of the city, of the nation on the important day of the people of Ho Chi Minh City in particular and the whole country in general. The dating words are still taking place, still being spread and spread. An unprecedented great feast is coming very close to the people of Ho Chi Minh City. Everyone is eager and looking forward because most people have the same thought, who knows when they will have such proud moments again in their life.

Recommended clothing and items to bring

- Dress politely, suitable for the solemn atmosphere of the ceremony.

- Bring drinking water (especially electrolyte water), candy, tissues, wide-brimmed hat, and hand fan to avoid the sun.

- Don't forget to carry a flag to join in the atmosphere with everyone.

- Comply with the instructions of the authorities, do not jostle or push.

- Maintain public hygiene, do not litter.

- Free up phone capacity to have enough room to film and take photos.

- Bring a spare charger to avoid running out of battery in the middle.

In addition to watching on the street, people and tourists watched the parade live on 22 large screens installed on Le Duan, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Le Loi, Nguyen Hue, Dong Khoi, Dien Bien Phu, and Nguyen Dinh Chieu streets.

People should prioritize walking, metro, bus, and ride-hailing because private vehicles will be banned in the central area. Parking locations: Le Van Tam Park, Tao Dan Park, Vincom Dong Khoi, Turtle Lake, parking lot next to Nguyen Hue walking street, Diamond Plaza, and Youth Cultural House.

Metro line 1 and buses increase trips on the occasion of April 30 - May 1

According to the HCM City Department of Transport, in order to serve the increased travel demand of people during the April 30 - May 1 holidays, metro line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) will adjust to increase operating frequency and extend service time.

Specifically, Metro Line 1 is expected to increase the number of trips from 200 to 240 trips per day, serving about 120,000 passengers per day. On April 30 alone, Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Company No. 1 will organize 40 more trains than usual. The operating time will last from 4:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. the same day, creating favorable conditions for people to travel during the long holiday.

Along with the metro, the bus system also adjusted its routes and operating times, as well as increased the number of trips on some key bus routes depending on the actual situation to ensure convenience, safety and limit congestion in crowded areas.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/san-cho-xem-dieu-binh-dip-dai-le-185250412230121339.htm