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The event is one of the key activities in the "Colors of Ho Chi Minh City" program series, aimed at commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025).
Locals and tourists walk onto Khanh Hoi Bridge (District 4) to watch a drone demonstration.
According to the plan, the performance was supposed to start at 8:30 PM and last about 15 minutes. However, the show actually started 10 minutes later and only lasted about 7 minutes. Even so, the moment 10,500 drones simultaneously took off, forming iconic images such as a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh, Tank 390 entering the Independence Palace, the bronze drum, Metro Line 1, and city symbols… caused an outpouring of emotion throughout the riverside area.
10,500 drones took off simultaneously, forming iconic images such as a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh, and the 390 tank advancing into the Independence Palace...
From early afternoon, the streets around Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, Bach Dang wharf, and Thu Thiem were bustling with people. Many families and groups of young people arrived as early as 5-6 pm to secure good spots, bringing drinks, snacks, and even folding chairs to wait. This lively atmosphere lasted for many hours, despite the sweltering early summer weather.
"I knew it was just a dress rehearsal, but I still wanted to come and see it. My whole family arrived at 5 pm. Although I was a little disappointed because the performance was so short, when I saw each image appear in the sky, I was truly moved," shared Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan (a tourist from Hue).
Locals and tourists eagerly flocked to the area around the Saigon River waterfront.
Meanwhile, Mr. Tran Minh Hoang (District 3, Ho Chi Minh City) couldn't hide his pride: "Seeing 10,500 drones flying simultaneously, forming the image of the homeland and the city, I felt overwhelmed. This is the first time I've seen such a performance right in my hometown."
Alongside the excitement, some audience members also expressed a slight disappointment that the performance devoted a significant amount of time to promoting the sponsors. "Having waited since this afternoon, I was expecting more images of history, the country, the city... so I was a little let down by the repeated advertisements," one visitor shared.
Families arrived early to secure good viewing spots for the performance.
Tourists took the opportunity to capture the dazzling moments of Saigon during the drone show.
The dress rehearsal took place amidst a bustling atmosphere throughout Ho Chi Minh City. For the past few days, the city has seemingly never slept, continuously holding preliminary and final rehearsals for the parade, test fireworks displays, and 3D mapping shows on the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee building... The streets were crowded from early morning until late at night, and the already vibrant life of Ho Chi Minh City became even more lively and bustling than ever before.
Alongside the excitement, some audience members also expressed a slight disappointment that the performance devoted a significant amount of time to promoting the sponsors.
According to information from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, the official drone show will take place from 8:30 PM to 8:45 PM on May 1st in the Saigon River area, right in front of Nguyen Hue pedestrian street. This will be a major highlight in the 50th anniversary celebration of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam, with the expectation of setting a Vietnamese record for the largest number of drones flying simultaneously.
