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The streets and neighborhoods are wearing a new look.
In Saigon, simply stepping out onto the street, one can easily spot the vibrant red of the national flag. From the city center to every small alley, the red flag with a yellow star flutters in the sun like the lively heartbeat of the festive season.
Hoang Sa Street in Ho Chi Minh City is brightly decorated to welcome National Day on September 2nd.
These days, Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is also crowded with people coming to check in. Rows of red flags with yellow stars draped across the front of Notre Dame Cathedral, blending with the lush green trees on either side, create a scene that is both vibrant and refreshing. The cool air spreads the joy and excitement of the festive season.
Some bookstores even decorated with banners and motifs welcoming Independence Day on September 2nd, becoming a favorite background for many people when taking photos, from young people to even children. Images of the red flag with a yellow star were present everywhere, from the fluttering flags to clothing and accessories, further highlighting the shared joy of the people on this great national holiday.
The Youth Cultural Center was resplendent with rows of flagpoles lined up right in front of its facade, standing solemnly in the sun as if silently waiting for Independence Day to fly high in the sky.
A row of flagpoles stands solemnly in front of the Youth Cultural Center.
The deeper you go into the alleyways, the more prominent the flags become. Every rooftop, every window displays a flag, densely packed together in the sun and wind. This atmosphere, combined with the smiles of passersby, makes the city seem warmer and more vibrant than usual these days.
Even the small alleyways were decorated with flags by residents and neighborhood groups to welcome Independence Day.
Meeting points where national joy is shared.
In keeping with the celebratory atmosphere of the national holiday, Ho Chi Minh City has just inaugurated the longest mural street in Vietnam, stretching 600 meters and depicting the glorious history of the nation. This has quickly become a popular check-in spot for young people, where artistic colors meet patriotic spirit. The area around the Independence Palace is also bustling with visitors, especially during the period leading up to the holiday, as many people come to learn more about these historical moments.
Tourists line up to buy tickets to visit the Independence Palace ahead of National Day.
In the coffee shop setting, the spirit of National Day is also clearly evident. Tibon by Jayden at 229 Hoang Sa (Saigon Ward, former District 1) stands out with garlands of red flags with yellow stars right in front of the shop and throughout the alley inside, conical hats printed with flags, checkered scarves, and the words "Proud to be Vietnamese".
The Tibon by Jayden cafe in District 1 is ablaze with red.
Ms. Hong Lien, the manager of the cafe, said that from the moment it opened, "with a love and pride for the nation, the cafe chose the red and yellow colors of the national flag as its main colors." Since then, the outdoor space has always been carefully decorated to welcome major holidays such as April 30th or September 2nd. The cafe also designs paper cups in red, printed with the map of Vietnam. This spirit has quickly made Tibon a familiar destination for many young people during the holiday season.
Further afield, in District 12, Mâm Coffee and Hỉn Coffee also contribute to the vibrancy of this otherwise quiet street. Mâm Coffee impresses with its large flag and display of old newspapers, reminiscent of the subsidy era. Hỉn Coffee, on the other hand, chooses bamboo, rattan, and palm leaves as materials, combined with images of the map of Vietnam and red conical hats with yellow stars. Each shop has its own style, but all share a common red color symbolizing national pride. Some other shops even creatively add paper cups and coffee cups shaped like the flag, making each sip of coffee a reminder of love for the country.
Mâm Coffee's rustic and nostalgic atmosphere evokes a sense of nostalgia.
Mâm Coffee's rustic and nostalgic atmosphere evokes a sense of nostalgia.
Hin Coffee boasts a vibrant and modern ambiance.
The shared joy of the people
Many people commented that the atmosphere on this year's National Day was particularly special. With the milestone of 50 years since the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, and 80 years since National Day, the streets were much more vibrant. Nguyen Tran Hieu, a young person living in Ho Chi Minh City, shared: “As a son of the South, I clearly felt the joyful atmosphere even before April 30th. That joy still resonates today, and I'm sure in Hanoi, that excitement is even more intense.”
Although there was no parade or military review like in Hanoi, the atmosphere in Ho Chi Minh City was still vibrant thanks to the lingering effects of the A50 and the strong resurgence of national spirit among the people.
In the days leading up to the holiday, the vibrant colors of flags and flowers not only adorned the streets and shops but also filled the emotions of every citizen. Ho Chi Minh City was bustling and radiant, as if clothed in a new garment of national pride and faith. And amidst the throngs of people, each photograph, each smile, became a testament to the spirit of unity of a nation looking forward to Independence Day.
