On the occasion of National Day September 2 this year, instead of fireworks, Ho Chi Minh City organized a performance of releasing hot air balloons towing the national flag over an area of 1,800 square meters along the Saigon River. From 7 a.m., thousands of people flocked to Bach Dang Wharf (District 1) to watch the hot air balloon release to celebrate the "Independence Day" Festival.
On the other side of the river, thousands of people came to Thu Thiem urban area to admire the flag fluttering in the sky of Ho Chi Minh City, welcoming Independence Day in an excited atmosphere.
People jostle in the Saigon riverside area.
Thousands of people gathered at Bach Dang wharf early in the morning.
Many people jostled and filmed on the banks of the Saigon River.
At 7:30 a.m., the Vietnamese flag was raised high in the sky of Ho Chi Minh City by a hot air balloon. This was the first time Ho Chi Minh City had organized a large national flag to be raised to the sky to celebrate National Day. There were 13 hot air balloons at the Festival, including 2 main hot air balloons lifting the flag high, and 11 auxiliary hot air balloons below. Small hot air balloons supported below to lift the flag. Due to the complex wind conditions, constantly changing directions, raising the flag encountered many obstacles.
The performer is inflating the balloons.
The staff are preparing the balloon for takeoff.
The balloons began to take off, dragging the flag with them.
During the "Independence Day" Festival, in addition to the two largest balloons used to pull the flag, eight smaller balloons will be released into the sky of Ho Chi Minh City. These smaller balloons will be released at the same time as the two balloons pulling the national flag.
In addition to the flag-raising program on the Saigon River, Ho Chi Minh City also organized art performances in Thu Duc City and districts 12, Binh Tan, Tan Phu, Binh Chanh, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, Nha Be, and Can Gio on September 1-2. Along with that, from August 19 to September 4, an exhibition commemorating major holidays was held at the President Ho Chi Minh Monument Park and Nguyen Hue Street, Dong Khoi Street (opposite Chi Lang Park)...
The balloon with the big flag began to take off.
The small balloons began to separate.
In 2021, Ho Chi Minh City has canceled fireworks displays four times on April 30, September 2, New Year's Day and Lunar New Year to limit large gatherings amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Ho Chi Minh City will not hold fireworks displays again until April 30, 2022.
Paragliding demonstration at the event.
Boat racing performance on Saigon River.
