Pride in simple and familiar things
In a small alley on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street (District 3, Ho Chi Minh City), crowds of young people gathered early on a weekend morning, eagerly queuing to take photos with a nearly 4-meter-high map of Vietnam and enjoy special drinks crafted with a patriotic theme at Nham Café. Some who arrived late even had to postpone their visit until the following day. However, none expressed frustration. On the contrary, many felt a deep sense of gratitude and pride for joining such a meaningful occasion of the country.
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Beverages decorated with images of the national flag and the map of Vietnam create a festive and patriotic atmosphere during the national holiday. |
“Even though the café was packed and I had to wait a long time for both my drink and a chance to take photos, I felt happy and proud to see so many young people, like myself, showing their love for the country in such simple everyday ways,” shared Thao Linh from District 3.
Nham Café, located on Hoa Hung Street in District 10, has become one of the most popular destinations for young people during the anniversary celebrations. The entire space, both inside and outside, is decorated in the vibrant red of the national flag, with flags fluttering proudly alongside the striking red map of Vietnam - creating an atmosphere that stirs patriotic emotions.
The café has also launched a special menu, aptly named “con rong chau tien,” in honor of the national big anniversary. The dishes, drinks, and even the cups were meticulously designed to reflect patriotism. The café also prepared small national flags as gifts for customers to hold while taking photos.
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Items of a coffee shop featuring the national flag and the map of Vietnam attracts young customers to capture meaningful check-in photos. |
Nguyen Thanh Minh Triet, the café’s manager, shared that while the cost of decorating the drinks was higher than usual, the prices remained unchanged. Their greatest desire, he said, was to create a warm, inclusive space where young people could gather and celebrate this meaningful day together.
The spirit of the holiday was not only reflected in daily activities but also in even the smallest personal items - from T-shirts and phone cases to keychains and hair clips. Khong Thi Kim Oanh, owner of the Kim Kia Ao Dai shop, proudly designed a special "ao dai" (traditional long dress) for the occasion. The dress has the words "Independent Vietnam" embroidered on the left chest, and the national motto "Independence - Freedom - Happiness" embroidered on the right sleeve. “To me, this 'ao dai' is more than just a piece of clothing — it’s an embodiment of patriotism, national pride, and deep gratitude from our younger generation. I hope this piece can accompany everyone through the sacred and happy moments of this historic milestone, which only comes once every 50 years,” Oanh shared.
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Young people take photos with the national flag at a downtown landmark in Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the South Liberation and National Reunification Day. |
Similarly, Pham Minh Hang from Binh Thanh District and her group of friends prepared their own patriotic outfits well in advance, including T-shirts printed with the national motto, handheld red flags, conical hat keychains, and themed hair clips.
“For us, the April 30 celebration is the perfect occasion to show our international friends that Vietnamese patriotism lives in the hearts of every generation,” Minh Hang emphasized.
Spreading patriotism on social media
In the build-up to the 50th anniversary of the South Liberation and National Reunification Day, young people not only snap photos but also actively share their patriotic spirit on social media. Each video and photo has become a call to thousands of other young people, inspiring pride in Vietnam’s history and reinforcing national unity bloc.
Ngoc Han, the creator behind the TikTok account “Binh Duong An Gi,” revealed that for the past month, she had been carefully gathering accurate information about the anniversary, including dates, locations, and parade routes, to share with her followers through informative videos.
“Sometimes I have to update the details daily to avoid missing any important information, and even though it’s quite exhausting, I won’t give up. I just hope that after watching my videos, people will develop a deeper understanding of history and feel prouder of our national history and the great victory on April 30,” Han shared.
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The national motto “Independence - Freedom - Happiness” is embroidered on an "ao dai" (traditional long dress) |
Many local shops have also joined in the celebrations by offering free rentals of traditional outfits, national flags, conical hats, and other items for the occasion. The only requirement to rent these items? A love for the country and pride in being Vietnamese.
Nguyen Thu Huyen, owner of “Treon Closet,” noted, “Seeing young people wearing ao dai and posing with the national flag fills me with happiness and pride, especially knowing those images will be widely shared online.”
On platforms like TikTok and Facebook, countless creative videos showcasing love for the nation and the April 30 anniversary have emerged - from dances and songs to short skits reenacting historical events. These videos have drawn positive reaction from young audiences.
Patriotism, national pride, and Vietnam’s rich cultural identity are more than just legacies passed down through thousands of years. They are also steady bonds that unite generations of Vietnamese people. Today, the youth not only preserve these traditions but also find new and innovative ways to express them, using technology and creativity to spread the spirit of patriotism far and wide.
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Young people pose for photos with ceremonial artillery prepared for the upcoming anniversary celebrations. |
As the country marks this historic 50-year milestone, the younger generation continues to demonstrate a burning love for the homeland, a passion that shines through the simplest actions and reflects a profound sense of responsibility and aspiration to contribute to the future of the country.
Translated by Trung Thanh