Vietnam Commemorates 50 Years of Reunification and Booming Holiday Tourism

On the morning of April 30, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City held a grand national-level ceremony and military parade to mark the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025). The event took place along Le Duan Boulevard in District 1 and several other central streets, drawing thousands of citizens and visitors who came to witness this historic moment.


The ceremony unfolded in a solemn and spirited atmosphere. With the sound of military marches resonating through the streets, vibrant flags and floral displays painted the city in the colors of celebration. Lines of disciplined and majestic units reenacted the heroic and rapid advance of Vietnam’s final victory in 1975.

Spectators, many with eyes brimming with emotion, applauded and waved flags as the parade moved past. Veterans in formation, and symbols of victory evoked powerful memories of the country’s journey toward independence and reunification.

The event was not only an occasion to honor the sacrifice of previous generations of heroes but also served as a poignant reminder for today's and future generations of the nation's glorious path—a story of courage, unwavering will for independence, and faith in a prosperous, peaceful Vietnam.


The 50th anniversary celebration also sparked a surge in “homecoming” historical tours. Ho Chi Minh City became a magnet for both domestic and international tourists seeking to relive the country’s most defining historical moments. The city welcomed approximately 1.95 million visitors during the five-day holiday, more than double the number from the same period in 2024. Notably, the city achieved a hotel occupancy rate of 95%, a record-high, and earned an estimated 7,138 billion VND in tourism revenue—an impressive 2.2 times increase year-on-year.

This remarkable growth mirrored the national tourism boom during the 2025 Reunification Day and Labor Day holiday period. According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, over 10.5 million domestic and international visitors traveled across the country between April 30 and May 4, marking the highest holiday travel figures since the COVID-19 pandemic—up more than 31% from 2024.

Tourism hubs across the country saw major increases in visitor numbers and revenues. Thanh Hoa continued to be a top destination, attracting around 1.6 million tourists and generating approximately 4,100 billion VND, particularly in coastal hotspots like Sam Son. Quang Ninh welcomed more than 1 million visitors, with a sharp 42% increase in tourism revenue (2,800 billion VND), especially from island and bay destinations such as Co To, Van Don, and Bai Tu Long Bay.


Other major tourist magnets included Khanh Hoa (over 1 million visitors, 1,400 billion VND revenue), Hanoi (875,000 visitors, 3,150 billion VND), Da Nang (610,000 visitors, 2,426 billion VND), and Nghe An (1.17 million visitors, nearly 2,000 billion VND). Even Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), despite receiving “only” 320,000 visitors, stood out by earning nearly 1,000 billion VND—thanks in part to its appeal among high-spending tourists.

Northern Vietnam also saw a vibrant tourism scene, with top choices including Sa Pa (Lao Cai), Ha Long (Quang Ninh), Cat Ba (Hai Phong), Sam Son (Thanh Hoa), and Cua Lo (Nghe An). In the Central region, popular destinations included Ba Na Hills (Da Nang), Quy Nhon (Binh Dinh), Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), Mui Ne (Binh Thuan), Mang Den (Kon Tum), and Da Lat (Lam Dong). In the South, tourists flocked to Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau (Ba Ria – Vung Tau), and Phu Quoc (Kien Giang).


Across the board, the five-day holiday emerged as a golden opportunity for Vietnam’s tourism industry, reaffirming the country’s position as a dynamic and resilient destination. The fusion of historical pride with modern tourism offerings created a nationwide celebration that was both emotionally stirring and economically rewarding.