Ho Chi Minh City prepares for 50th anniversary of renaming from Saigon
VOV.VN - Ho Chi Minh City held a full rehearsal at the Reunification Palace on June 30 for the upcoming ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Saigon – Gia Dinh being officially named after President Ho Chi Minh (July 2, 1976 – July 2, 2026).
During the rehearsal, key programme components were tested, including the flag-raising ceremony, introduction of delegates, speeches by city leaders and youth representatives, as well as a large-scale art programme.
The art programme is designed as a panorama reflecting the city’s 50-year development journey, from a post-war urban area facing numerous difficulties to one of the country’s leading economic, cultural and innovation hubs.
The performances highlighted key milestones, including the National Assembly’s decision on July 2, 1976 to rename Saigon – Gia Dinh as Ho Chi Minh City; the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and the expansion of development space following the merger of Ho Chi Minh City with Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau provinces from July 1, 2025, creating new growth momentum for the southern key economic region.
Following the rehearsal, city leaders held a review meeting to refine and adjust several components of the programme ahead of the official ceremony.
The official ceremony is scheduled to take place on July 2 at an outdoor stage within the grounds of the Reunification Palace.
The event will be organised by the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly, the State President, the Government, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, with the participation of Party and State leaders and former leaders, Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, armed forces personnel and international delegates.
The commemorative activities, scheduled for July 1–2, will include flower-offering ceremonies, groundbreaking events for key projects, an art performance and live broadcast connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau, a 3D mapping light show at the municipal People’s Committee headquarters, and fireworks displays at 16 locations across the city.
The event is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s major political and cultural highlights in 2026.
Photo exhibition showcases Ho Chi Minh City’s 50 years of growth
A photo exhibition opened in Ho Chi Minh City on June 29 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the city of Saigon–Gia Dinh officially renamed after President Ho Chi Minh (July 2, 1976 – 2026).
