Under the brilliant blue April sky in Ho Chi Minh City – the city named after Uncle Ho – the Reunification Parade commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Southern Liberation and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025) took place in an atmosphere filled with emotion, reverence, and pride. More than just a state ceremony, it was a declaration through action – a resounding epic anthem carried forward by generations of Vietnamese descendants, including the distinguished members of the Vu – Vo Clan of Vietnam, who have contributed and continue to contribute to the preservation of national independence, sovereignty, and a brilliant national future.
A resounding epic of the Vietnamese Land
From early morning, Thong Nhat Square and Le Duan Boulevard were packed with crowds eager to witness this historic parade. The marching formations—from the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard, Coast Guard, to the People’s Public Security and Militia and Self-Defence Force —orderly moved past the grandstand to heroic music, embodying the indomitable and unyielding spirit of the Vietnamese people.
Leading the parade was the “Quyet thang” (Determine to Win) Military Flag Formation, followed by the Command vehicle displaying state-of-the-art military equipment: tanks, missiles, and armored vehicles—symbols of a growing national defense capacity under the Party’s leadership. Yet, the most resounding presence came from the synchronized footsteps of veterans, youth, women, and students—generations who are and will be continuing the legacy of nation-building.
Among the spectators, many were moved to tears at the sight of the red flag with the golden star soaring gloriously in the wind. They remembered the sons and daughters who had laid down their lives on the battlefield, the heroic Vietnamese mothers, and the brilliant generals who brought honor to the nation—including General Vo Nguyen Giap, national heroine Vo Thi Sau, and many other members of the Vu – Vo Clan who quietly sacrificed and contributed throughout history.
Highlights from the April’s 30th Reunification Parade (1975 –2025)
The Vu – Vo Clan of Vietnam: From Ancestral Roots to Modern Rhythms
Stretching across the length of the nation, from the old battlefields to today’s peaceful arenas, the Vu – Vo Clan of Vietnam has always been intertwined with the mission of national construction and defence. The clan’s outstanding members have helped write golden pages in the nation’s history—both in wartime and in peace.
- General Vo Nguyen Giap– the People’s General, an exceptional student of President Ho Chi Minh, who transformed the course of the Indochina War and was the great architect of the historic Dien Bien Phu Victory.
- National Heroine Vo Thi Sau– the young girl of Dat Do, who walked to the execution ground at the age of seventeen with a heart ablaze with patriotism.
- Senior Lieutenant General Vo Van Tuan, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen (Vu) Van Thanh, Lieutenant General Vu Duc Hinh, and Major General Vu Cao Quan– exemplary military leaders of both virtue and talent, representing a generation of courageous soldier-intellectual-leaders, devoted to safeguarding national security and upholding order during the country’s renewal era.
Assoc. Prof. Dr., Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen (Vu) Van Thanh, Former Deputy Minister of Public Security (right)
Senior Lieutenant General Vo Van Tuan, Former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, Vice President of the Vu – Vo Clan Council of Vietnam (center)
Lieutenant General Vu Duc Hinh (center)
Major General Vu Cao Quan, Former Member of the Standing Committee of the Can Tho Party Committee, Former Commander of the Can Tho Military Command
Beyond the battlefield, today’s descendants of the Vu – Vo Clan are making their mark in various fields—from science and technology, education, and healthcare, to business, media, and diplomacy—contributing to the sustainable development of the nation. They are living proof of a long-standing tradition of learning, dutifulness, bravery, and aspiration—core values that have been nurtured through generations.
When the Nation Calls – The Youth Respond
This year’s military parade is not only a remembrance, but also a reminder: today’s generation has the duty to continue writing this epic with concrete action—through patriotism transformed into knowledge, technology, compassion, and the desire to serve.
From the young men and women in uniform marching in formation, to the millions of youngsters studying, launching startups, and conducting scientific research—each is silently continuing the path once chosen by their ancestors. And within that stream of legacy, the young members of the Vu – Vo Clan are also ready to shoulder their mission: to build the homeland and protect the independence, sovereignty, and dignity of the nation with their own hands, minds, and Vietnamese hearts.
The Communist Party of Viet Nam – Guiding Light of the Nation
There would be no April 30 without the Party. There would be no independent, free, and thriving Vietnam without the revolutionary flag. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the country has overcome historic turning points and steadily affirmed its position on the global stage.
Today’s parade is a reaffirmation of the people’s trust in the Party’s leadership—a Party that continuously innovates and always puts national interests above all. From the old battlefields of the past to today’s digital Government, that guiding light continues to lead tens of millions of Vietnamese people confidently forward.
A Milestone—and a Vow
On 30 April 2025, Viet Nam did more than stage a commemorative event: the nation marked half a century of peace, reunification, and development. Across the country—from highland areas to distant islands, from fertile plains to bustling cities—Vietnamese descendants bowed their heads in solemn remembrance of fallen heroes, sang timeless anthems of valor, and pledged together:
“Not a single sacred inch of our homeland shall be lost. We will not shrink from any challenge. We will never forget the lessons of history.”
Within that solemn vow, the Vu – Vo Clan members—from North to South, generation after generation—reaffirms their patriotism, filial devotion, and fervent desire to serve. Whether as businesspeople, scholars, soldiers, or ordinary citizens, they are—and will continue to be—guardians of Vietnamese values, ensuring that the nation’s sacred soul echoes through every April.
“Safeguard independence, defend sovereignty, build a prosperous country, and honor the heroic legacy of our forebears.”
In this vow, the Vu – Vo Clan of Viet Nam remains a wellspring of tradition, a resilient root, and a spiritual anchor for descendants as they stride into the future. From the soil of Binh Dinh to millennial Thang Long, from Dong Nai, Binh Duong, and the Central Highlands to every corner of the home country and the overseas residents, today’s Vu – Vo descendants carry the sacred duty to preserve the nation’s sacred essence, upholding its noble values and timeless heritage—for an everlasting Vietnam.
Journalist Vo Gia
