VietNamNet Bridge – Streets in downtown HCM City were closed as part of strict security measures yesterday (April 26), for the dress rehearsal of the 40th anniversary celebrations of the liberation of the south and national reunification.

Illustrative image – Photo: Zing

The event will be officially held on the morning of Thursday, April 30.

The rehearsal included a military parade involving nearly 6,000 soldiers, militia, and civilians. Some leaders of the country, HCM City, military, and other sectors were present to preview the ceremony.

Music and dance performances were followed by a flag-hoisting ceremony, accompanied by the singing of the national anthem. There were marchers from 38 army and civilian units, including the ground force, air force, navy, commandos, marines, people's police, mobile police and others.

Prior to the parade of the blocks, military flags of the five armies that attacked to liberate the city on April 30, 1975, were raised.

The parade began at the Sai Gon Zoo and Botanical Garden and passed through Le Duan Street to the Reunification Palace where it split into two, with one group turning left for Ton Duc Thang Street and the other turning right for Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, en route to Hoa Lu Stadium.

Top leaders of the Communist Party and the country, as well as city chiefs, international guests and 100 Vietnamese people from overseas, are expected to attend the parade.

The dress rehearsal, which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, Minister of National Defence General Phung Quang Thanh, and other high-ranking officials, was conducted by Lieutenant General Nguyen Quoc Khanh, who is the deputy chief of general staff of the Viet Nam People's Army.

Traffic congestion surrounding the blocked area was not reported to be as serious as that on Friday, April 24, as it was held on a Sunday when government offices, schools, and offices have a holiday.

According to the National Organising Committee for the Commemoration of Major Anniversaries in 2014-2015, the official ceremony will be broadcast live on Viet Nam Television, Radio Voice of Viet Nam and all provincial TV stations.

The organisers have also affirmed that on Thursday, April 30, the day of the official ceremony, security will be further tightened in the vicinity of the commemoration.

In addition, more than 600 local and international journalists are expected to attend the official event.

On the night of April 30, following the music performance that will be conducted by more than 4,400 artists, including nearly all city-based musicians, a 15-minute fireworks display will be held at Bitexco Financial Tower in HCM City's District 1 and at seven other locations across the city.

VNS