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

The low and high-range fireworks were let off at sixsites in the city to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the liberationof the South Vietnam and National Reunification Day and the 129thMay Day.

The streets were overflowing with nationalflags and placards bearing slogans and pictures praising the historicvictory 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 DucManh, Minister of National Defence Phung Quang Thanh, Deputy PrimeMinister Vu Duc Dam, and other senior officials from the ministries,sectors and localities.

High-ranking delegationsfrom Laos, Cambodia, Cuba and other international organisations inHo 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 decadesago.

The victory holds a significant meaning in HoChi 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 thehistoric 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 andthe millions of heroic fallen soldiers who devoted their lives for thecause of national liberation and independence.

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