Festivals in Vietnamese reunification day and May day 

If you are staying in Vietnam throughout April, knowing the meaning of 30th of April may benefit you somehow. In the first place, if you happen to be working in Vietnam, you’ll get a day-off on this day and the day after that (International Labor Day). Secondly, if you are planning your trip to Vietnam during these days, you might want to quick way ahead of time or skip this period because the crowd of people you will see at popular touristy spots will astonish you. To find out from A to Z about this special occasion, follow us with our article below.

♦ Meaning of Vietnamese Reunification Day

April 30th carries an interesting historical background; it is called Vietnam’s Reunification Day. To many countries, Independence Day is an important historical, political or cultural event associated with its current status. Vietnam, in particular, has another day when we celebrate, not only the liberation of the South from American troops, but a day when Vietnam’s two major regions (the North and the South) were reunited together under one government. April 30th, 1975 is the day that marks the fall of Saigon government, ending the Vietnam War and leading to the liberation of Vietnam’s southern part. Every year since, the country celebrates this day as a commemoration to the reunification between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in the North and the Republic of Vietnam in the South into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam as we know today. 

♦  Some festivals you may find interests? 

1. Hanoi | 29 – 30 April
2. Carnival in Ha Long | 26 – 27 – 28 April
3. Hue Festival | 27 April - 2 May 2018
4. Da Nang Fireworks Festival 2018
5. Whale Festival (Ca Ong) – Danang | 1st May 2018
6. Ho Chi Minh City

1. Hanoi | 29 – 30 April 

An exhibition commemorating the 43rd anniversary of liberation and national reunification day is open from April 24 to May 30 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hoang Dieu Street. More than 150 photos and artefacts capturing the atmosphere in Saigon and Hanoi during the historic moment on April 30, 1975 are on display. 

The Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, in co-ordination with the Vietnam Post Corporation, will also introduce 48 sets of postage stamps on emulation movements during the resistance war against US imperialists for national salvation. A number of cultural and artistic programs, featuring puppetry, water puppetry, and folk games will be held as part of activities to celebrate the event.

In addition, the monthly music show “Music Face”, at the Hanoi Opera House in Trang Tien Street, will present a concert celebrating the national holiday, with songs honoring soldiers in the war performed by renowned local singers. The show will take place at 8pm on April 29.

2. Carnival in Ha Long | 26 – 27 – 28 April 

As a popular festival in Ha Long city in northern Quang Ninh province, the 10th Carnival Ha Long promises to present new and special artistic performances. With the theme “Ha Long Bay - Heritage - Wonder - Friendly Destination”, Carnival Ha Long 2018 will start on April 26 with a parade of 12 flower floats, with the opening night being on April 28 at Ha Long Park in Bai Chay Street. The 2018 Ha Long National Tourism Year in Quang Ninh will also be officially launched. More than 1,000 local and international dancers, singers, and models from South Korea, Brazil, Ukraine, and Cuba will set the stage on fire with their colorful and vibrant performances.

On April 27 and 28 at Square 30/10, the Asian Food and Culture Festival will take place with the participation of many local and international chefs. There will be also an international beach volleyball competition and a provincial tennis tournament and EDM nights for young people. Quang Ninh is home of Ha Long Bay, which has been twice recognized as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO, in 1994 and 2000. The event aims to promote local tourism and attract even more tourists to the province. If you are having a trip to Vietnam, this will be an interesting suggestions for you during the Vietnamese reunification day. 

3. Hue Festival | 27 April - 2 May 2018

Building on the theme “Cultural Heritage with Integration and Development, Hue - One Destination, Five World Heritages”, the 10th Hue Festival will be held from April 27 to May 2. It aims celebrate Vietnamese Reunification Day as well as promote Vietnamese and Hue culture and tourism and socioeconomic development in Thua Thien Hue province. The event will showcase stunning artistic performances representing the different cultures of Vietnam and dozens of countries around the world. In particular, it will present to audience members the essence of Hue’s cultural and artistic values, inspired by UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Sites such as the Complex of Hue Monuments (recognized in 1993), Royal Court Music (2003), Woodblocks from the Nguyen Dynasty (2010), imperial records from the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945, and recognized in 2014), and Royal Literature on Hue Royal Architecture (from 1802-1945 and recognized in 2016). A variety of superb traditional and contemporary artistic performances will be staged inside the Citadel, An Dinh Palace, and other venues within the city.

Hue Festival 2018 will continue to re-enact the imperial life in the spectacle “Hue Royal Inspiration”, together with programs introducing the essence of Hue folk arts and royal art, including Buddhism cultural events, a national competition in “Hat van” and “Chau van” spiritual singing, and street performances themed “Cultural Colors”. A wide range of stirring programs and community events, including exhibitions, traditional sampan racing, kite flying, calligraphy demonstrations and displays, installations, street art, conferences, workshops, an international trade fair, sporting activities, a cuisine fair, and sightseeing tours will take place during the six days of the Festival.

The Hue International Cuisine Festival 2018 will be held from April 28 to May 2 at Thuong Bac Park. There will be 20 to 30 stalls from different countries and 60 to 70 stalls from hotels and tourism companies around Vietnam. According to the local Department of Tourism, interesting programs include food processing and service at stalls, with each country or region selecting specialties to help tourists learn about their special culinary characteristics.

4. Da Nang Fireworks Festival 2018 

2018 marks ten years since the first Da Nang Fireworks Festival. The Festival has constantly reinvented itself in the last eight holdings and has now developed into a world-class cultural and tourism event hosted from April to June.

Inspired by the bridges that have carved Da Nang’s history, the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2018 is entitled “The Legend of Bridges” and takes place from April 30 to June 30, involving five spectacular fireworks nights and a series of striking, simultaneous events. The eight participating teams include the host Vietnam, three-time champions Italy, previous winners the US and France, and Poland and Portugal as well as first-time contenders Sweden and Hong Kong.

From April 27 to May 1 there will be a range of other activities held, such as a street festival on the east side of Dragon Bridge, with colorful costumes and music and dance such as Pasodop, rumba, chachacha, tango, and disco, boat racing, flashmob bikini dancing, a food festival on My Khe Beach, and folk music and wartime songs on the west side of Dragon Bridge.

From April 24 to May 3, a photo exhibition at the Da Nang Museum in Tran Phu Street will display 246 photos from 185 photographers selected at the 9th Vietnam International Artistic Photo Competition last year, taken from the 11,000 photos submitted by photographers from 36 countries and territories. The exhibition will display the best photos in the categories of open shots, landscapes, portraits, and daily life. It will be a good way to spend your trip to vietnam during reunification day. 

5. Whale Festival (Ca Ong) – Danang | 1st May 2018

During this festival, fishermen express their gratitude and respect for whales, which are seen as saviors of men at sea. They pray for a safe and profitable fishing season and a peaceful life for those who are at risk on the seas. An official ceremony is held, followed by games and performances.

When Vietnamese Reunification Day is on, major cities are at its quietest as people either are gone for a big trip or return to their hometown to enjoy the day with their family. Every house, on this day, is required to put the national flag in front of the house. On television, related memorial programs or music shows performing victorious songs about the Vietnam War are broadcasted. Especially, in Ho Chi Minh City, in the beginning of the day, there are lines of parades coloring up main streets, with the participation of big crowds of people. Make sure to get up early, get dressed up and get in line to witness the celebration.

6. Ho Chi Minh City

Fireworks will light up the sky in Ho Chi Minh City on April 28 from 9pm to 9.15pm at the Thu Thiem Tunnel area in District 2 and Dam Sen Park in District 11.

To mark upcoming events, Le Duan Street, Nguyen Hue Street, and the roundabout at Le Duan and Pham Ngoc Thach Streets in the city center will be decorated with artistic lighting.

Paintings, photos and documentaries will also be exhibited, recalling Vietnam’s historic wars. An exhibition showcasing 222 sketches drawn on many types of materials by soldiers in the resistance war against the US is on display at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts in Binh Thanh district until April 30. Two other exhibitions will run from April 25 to May 10, including one featuring 220 color and black & white photos of the war and Vietnam’s achievements since 1975, at District 1’s Lam Son Park. The other presents images of the city’s nature, historical relics, and tourist destinations, at Chi Lang Park in Dong Khoi Street, District 1.

The city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will organize a cross-country run, an event held for 42 years to mark Reunification Day. The 30th Ho Chi Minh City Television Cup cycling tournament will also take place.

    >>> Get to know more about Vietnamese festivals in 2018