HCMC – HCMC will hold fireworks displays at three locations and a live television program linking Hanoi and HCMC as part of a plan for celebrating 50 years since Saigon-Gia Dinh was officially named after President Ho Chi Minh on July 2, 1976.

The commemorative activities will begin with a flower-offering ceremony at 7:30 a.m. on July 2 at the President Ho Chi Minh Statue Park and Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in Saigon Ward.

An official ceremony marking the anniversary is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. the same day at the Reunification Hall.

In the evening, the city will organize a special live television broadcast connecting the Reunification Hall in HCMC and Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi City, along with additional broadcast locations across wards, communes and special administrative zones in the city.

A 15-minute fireworks display from 9 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. will be one of the main highlights of the celebrations. High-altitude fireworks are planned at the Saigon River Tunnel area, the center of the new Binh Duong urban area, and Tam Thang Tower Square in Vung Tau Ward. Additional low-altitude fireworks displays are also expected at other locations.

The city will also organize a series of cultural, artistic and sports activities, including a music recording program themed “HCMC Shines with the name of President Ho Chi Minh,” community walking events, and circus and puppet performances at the Phu Tho Circus and multi-purpose performing center.

From July 1 to July 5, international 3D mapping projection shows combined with cultural exchange programs will take place in front of the HCMC People’s Committee headquarters from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

The celebrations will also feature exhibitions, book fairs and children’s cultural programs, including the sixth HCMC Children’s Book Fair.

A photo exhibition commemorating the anniversary will be held on Dong Khoi Street, at Nguyen Du Park, and at the Revolutionary Tradition House in Vung Tau.

Cultural spaces dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh, residential areas, industrial parks and community venues across the city will also host related activities.

Separately, the HCMC Department of Culture and Sports is coordinating events marking the 115th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s departure from Vietnam in search of a path for national liberation on June 5, 1911. Activities include incense and flower-offering ceremonies, recognition programs for outstanding organizations and individuals, and themed art performances.

The meeting room table in the command carriage is designed in a cog railway pattern
HCMC – Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) on May 29 launched a trial run of its new QT3/4 multifunctional train equipped with digital technologies on the Hanoi–Thai Nguyen route in the northern region.

The train’s key features include continuous 5G connectivity and the pilot deployment of an AI-powered service robot, marking a major step in the railway sector’s digital transformation efforts. The new train is designed not only for passenger transport but also as a mobile workspace and operations hub during travel.

Following the debut run, the command carriage and integrated service cars will be gradually deployed for commercial operations across Vietnam’s railway network.

The train consists of six specialized carriages: a command carriage, a 34-seat VIP coach, a luxury sleeper coach with six VIP berths, a 24-seat coach, a 56-seat rotating-chair coach, and a dining car.

The command carriage is equipped with advanced communication systems and meeting facilities capable of accommodating up to 20 delegates.

In emergency situations such as natural disasters, floods, or infrastructure incidents, the carriage can operate as a mobile field command center thanks to next-generation 5G connectivity, allowing uninterrupted communications and data transmission across mountainous terrain and remote areas, including international connections.

The meeting room’s worktables were inspired by the design of the historic Dalat–Trai Mat cog railway line, with the interior layout optimized for multifunctional use.

Notably, the railway sector has for the first time introduced the KettyBot Pro robot on a trial basis in the 34-seat VIP carriage. Integrated with AI technology and a

President Ho Chi Minh Statue Park

President Ho Chi Minh Statue Park is a memorial site located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, dedicated to the revered revolutionary leader and founding father of modern Vietnam. The park features a prominent bronze statue of Ho Chi Minh, which was unveiled in 2015 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of his birth. It serves as a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike, honoring his legacy and his role in Vietnam’s struggle for independence.

Nguyen Hue pedestrian street

Nguyen Hue pedestrian street is a vibrant walking promenade in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, originally built as a major boulevard during the French colonial era. It was transformed into a pedestrian-only zone in 2015, becoming a popular cultural and entertainment hub. The street is lined with historic buildings, including the iconic City Hall, and hosts festivals, art performances, and public gatherings.

Reunification Hall

Reunification Hall, originally built as the Norodom Palace in the 1860s during French colonial rule, served as the residence of the French Governor-General of Indochina and later as the presidential palace of South Vietnam. It gained global significance on April 30, 1975, when a North Vietnamese tank crashed through its gates, marking the end of the Vietnam War and the reunification of North and South Vietnam. Today, the hall is a preserved historical museum in Ho Chi Minh City, showcasing its original 1960s architecture and artifacts from the war era.

Ba Dinh Square

Ba Dinh Square is a historic public square in Hanoi, Vietnam, best known as the site where Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the country’s independence on September 2, 1945. It is also home to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the revolutionary leader’s preserved body is displayed. The square has served as a central venue for major national celebrations and political events ever since.

Saigon River Tunnel

The Saigon River Tunnel, officially known as the Thu Thiem Tunnel, is a major underwater road tunnel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Opened in 2011 after seven years of construction, it connects District 1 with the Thu Thiem New Urban Area in District 2, significantly reducing travel time across the Saigon River. The tunnel is a key part of the city’s modern infrastructure, designed to alleviate traffic congestion and support urban development.

Phu Tho Circus

Phu Tho Circus is a historic entertainment venue located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, originally established during the French colonial period in the early 20th century. It has served as a popular site for circus performances, cultural shows, and community events, reflecting the city’s vibrant performing arts scene. Over the years, the circus has undergone renovations to modernize its facilities while preserving its role as a cherished cultural landmark.

HCMC People’s Committee headquarters

The HCMC People’s Committee headquarters, located at 86 Le Thanh Ton Street in District 1, is a prominent French colonial-era building constructed between 1898 and 1909. Originally designed as the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) for Saigon, it features ornate neoclassical architecture with a distinctive bell tower and statue of Ho Chi Minh in front. Today, it serves as the administrative office for the Ho Chi Minh City government and is a popular landmark for visitors.

Dalat–Trai Mat cog railway line

The Dalat–Trai Mat cog railway line was a historic mountain railway in Vietnam, built by the French during the colonial era and inaugurated in 1932. It featured a unique rack-and-pinion system to navigate the steep terrain of the Lang Bian Plateau, connecting Dalat to the main north-south railway. The line was heavily damaged during the Vietnam War and ceased operation in the 1970s, though a short section has been preserved as a tourist attraction.