Tens of thousands of Hanoians and foreign visitors flocked to the capital’s downtown to admire a 15-minute firework display on April 30.

The low and high-range fireworks were let off at six sites in the city to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the liberation of the South Vietnam and National Reunification Day and the 129th May Day.

The streets were overflowing with national flags and placards bearing slogans and pictures praising the historic victory of 1975.

The same day, the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City held a special art performance in celebration of liberation day.

Present at the event were former Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, Minister of National Defence Phung Quang Thanh, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, and other senior officials from the ministries, sectors and localities.

High-ranking delegations from Laos, Cambodia, Cuba and other international organisations in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam also took part at the function.

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, Le Hoang Quan, highlighted the importance of the victory and reunification four decades ago.

The victory holds a significant meaning in Ho Chi Minh City, Quan said, as this was the place, then named Saigon, where late President Ho Chi Minh (at that time called Nguyen Tat Thanh) departed to go abroad, seeking ways to safeguard the country and people.

The city also witnessed the final victory of the historic Ho Chi Minh campaign, ushering in a new chapter of unification, peace, independence and prosperity for Vietnam .

The programme also aims to commemorate late President Ho Chi Minh and the millions of heroic fallen soldiers who devoted their lives for the cause of national liberation and independence.

Nearly 5,000 artists joined the event to demonstrate the pain of war faced by Vietnam during the 1954-1975 period, as well as the city’s remarkable socio-economic achievements in recent years.-VNA