When is Reunification day?
This public holiday in Vietnam is celebrated on April 30th.
If April 30th falls on a weekend, a public holiday will be observed on the following weekday.
Known as 'Ngày Thống nhất' in Vietnamese, it is also known as Victory Day or Liberation Day. Some Vietnamese may call the day 'Saigon fall'.
History of Reunification Day
It marks the fall of the Saigon government on April 30th 1975 when Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops captured Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City).
This brought the Vietnam war to an end and began the process of unification of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North) in the North and the Republic of Vietnam (South).
Unification of the two countries finally happened on July 2nd 1976, when the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was born.
How is Reunification Day celebrated?
Even without its patriotic significance, this is a popular holiday as it is the day before Labour Day meaning it is the start of a welcome two day holiday.
Because of this extended break, many people take the time to return to their families. Banks and government offices will close, but most shops remain open. Tourist sites may be busier than usual, with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi being the top place to visit.
The day itself is marked by parades in Ho Chi Minh City and the flag of Vietnam will be flown proudly across the country.
