Amid the jubilant nationwide atmosphere of Vietnam’s historic celebration, several touching moments stirred deep emotions in viewers. The grand parade commemorating the 50th anniversary of southern liberation and national reunification concluded successfully, leaving behind unforgettable memories.

Over the past week, as the country came together to mark this monumental day, poignant stories emerged - moments that brought tears to many eyes.

Daughter carries 100-year-old mother to see military parade

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Oanh carries her 100-year-old mother through the crowd to watch the parade rehearsal

A video capturing a middle-aged woman carrying her mother on her back to see the military parade rehearsal on April 27 drew widespread attention online. The image of the daughter navigating through a dense crowd with her elderly mother on her back moved many people deeply.

That woman is Pham Thi Oanh, 55, from Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province. Her mother is Dang Thi Gai, 100 years old.

On April 26, Oanh brought her mother from Bien Hoa to Ho Chi Minh City. On the morning of April 27, she used a wheelchair to bring her mother to the parade rehearsal. When they reached a crowded stretch of road, Oanh left the wheelchair behind and carried her mother several hundred meters to find a spot to watch. People lining the streets clapped and cheered for the mother and daughter.

To this day, the image of a daughter carrying her centenarian mother to witness the parade remains one of the most emotionally resonant moments of the celebration.

76-year-old veteran rides motorbike over 1,300 km to see the parade

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Veteran Thanh on his solo journey from Nghe An to Ho Chi Minh City to watch the parade

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Veteran Thanh arrives in Ho Chi Minh City as planned.

That man is Tran Van Thanh, 76, from Vinh City, Nghe An Province. Starting his journey on April 17, Thanh rode a motorbike more than 1,300 kilometers to Ho Chi Minh City to witness the parade.

On April 27, after 10 days of riding through multiple provinces and cities, Thanh arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, fulfilling his heartfelt wish.

A veteran who once fought on the B5 battlefield in northern Quang Tri during the resistance war against the United States, Thanh had visited former battlefields many times with various delegations. But this time, he chose to ride alone to the south.

Throughout the journey, he received encouragement, warm welcomes, and help from the public. The sight of an elderly veteran, wearing his military uniform with a deeply wrinkled face, riding from central to southern Vietnam with the national flag waving proudly behind him, left viewers both moved and proud.

Female soldier bursts into tears during rehearsal

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Thom breaks down in tears as the public applauds her resilience.

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Lieutenant Duong Thi Thom, still feverish, prepares for the parade with a 19-kg instrument.

A clip showing a female soldier crying as she walked away from the parade rehearsal on April 27 captured the attention of social media users. Behind this moment lies a moving story of perseverance and resilience.

The soldier is Lieutenant Duong Thi Thom, 32, from Quang Ninh Province. She belongs to the women’s military band unit under the Army Ceremonial Regiment and was tasked with carrying a 19-kg Helicon tuba during the parade.

Prior to the event, Thom had been receiving IV fluids due to a viral fever. Despite her illness and fatigue, she still shouldered the 19-kg instrument, participating in both the state-level preliminary rehearsal and the full parade rehearsal on April 27.

Due to her ongoing fever, her commander allowed her to march past the grandstand before assigning the task to another member. She was then escorted by a military medic back to the gathering area for care.

While returning with the medic, Thom received thunderous applause from spectators along the street. Overwhelmed by the gesture, she broke into tears.

Thanh Minh