The streets wear new clothes
In Saigon, just stepping out onto the street, one can easily see the brilliant red of the national flag. From the central area to every small alley, the red flag with yellow star flutters in the sun like the vibrant beat of the festival season.
Hoang Sa Street in Ho Chi Minh City is brightly decorated to welcome National Day September 2nd.
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street these days also attracts a large number of people to check in. The red flags with yellow stars are hung across in front of Notre Dame Cathedral, combined with the rows of green trees on both sides, creating a scene that is both brilliant and fresh. The cool air spreads the joy and excitement of the festival season.
Some bookstores also decorated with banners and patterns to celebrate Independence Day on September 2nd, becoming a favorite background for many people when taking photos, from young people to children. The image of the red flag with yellow star is present everywhere, from the fluttering flag to costumes and accessories, further highlighting the common joy of the people on the great national holiday.
The Youth Cultural House is resplendent with a row of flagpoles lined up right in front, lying solemnly under the sun as if silently waiting for Independence Day to fly in the sky.
Solemn row of flagpoles in front of the Youth Cultural House
The deeper we went into each alley, the more clearly the flags appeared. Every roof, every window hung a flag, close together in the sun and wind. That atmosphere, combined with the smiles of passersby, made the city these days seem warmer and more bustling than usual.
Small alleys are also hung with flags by people and neighborhood groups to welcome Independence Day.
Meeting points for national joy
Joining the festive atmosphere, Ho Chi Minh City has just opened the longest mural street in Vietnam with a length of 600 m, recreating the heroic history of the nation. This quickly became a check-in spot for young people, where artistic colors meet patriotic spirit. The Independence Palace area is also bustling with visitors, especially near the holiday, when many people come to learn more about historical slices.
Tourists line up to buy tickets to visit the Independence Palace before National Day.
In the coffee space, the National Day spirit is also clearly present. Tibon by Jayden at 229 Hoang Sa (Saigon Ward, old District 1) stands out with red flags with yellow stars right in front of the shop and throughout the alley inside, conical hats printed with flags, scarves and the words "Proud to be Vietnamese".
Tibon by Jayden coffee shop space in District 1 is bright red
Ms. Hong Lien, the manager of the shop, said that right from the opening, "with love and national pride, the shop chose the red and yellow colors of the national flag as the main colors." Since then, the outside space has always been taken care of to welcome big holidays such as April 30 or September 2. The shop also designed red paper cups with the map of Vietnam printed on them. It is this spirit that has made Tibon quickly become a familiar destination for many young people during the holiday season.
A little further away, in District 12, two shops, Mam Coffee and Hin Coffee, also contributed to making the normally quiet street become more vibrant. Mam Coffee impressed with its large flag and old newspaper racks reminiscent of the subsidy period. Hin Coffee chose bamboo, rattan and palm as materials, combined with the map of Vietnam and red conical hats with yellow stars. Each shop has its own style, but they all share the same red color of national pride. Some other shops also creatively created paper cups and coffee cups with the shape of the flag, making each sip of coffee a reminder of love for the country.
The rustic, nostalgic space of Mam Coffee
The rustic, nostalgic space of Mam Coffee
The bright and modern space of Hin Coffee
The common joy of the people
This year’s National Day atmosphere is considered by many to be more special. With the milestone of 50 years of Southern liberation, national reunification and 80 years of National Day, the streets are more brilliant. 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 before April 30. That joy still resonates to the present, and certainly 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 echoes of A50 and the strong national spirit rising in the hearts of the people.
In the days leading up to the holiday, the colors of flags and flowers not only cover the streets and shops, but also the emotions of every citizen. Ho Chi Minh City is bustling and brilliant, as if wearing a new coat of faith and national pride. And amidst the bustling crowd, each photo, each smile becomes a testament to the spirit of solidarity of a nation looking forward to the Independence Day.
