According to a recent post on Guinness World Records’ official Facebook page, the world record was awarded for the synchronized flight of 10,518 drones during a rehearsal on the night of April 28, 2025. The show was part of the "Colors of President Ho's City" series celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025).

The spectacle was expected to span three key dates: April 19, April 26, and April 30. However, performances scheduled for April 19 and 26 were canceled, leaving many disappointed. The April 28 rehearsal eventually became the only full-scale performance and the one that earned the record.

Despite the record-breaking feat, the rehearsal drew mixed reactions. Some spectators and online users criticized the show for focusing heavily on branded imagery, which they said overshadowed the spirit of national celebration.

In response, organizers clarified that the April 28 rehearsal served multiple purposes: technical evaluation, content testing, and delivering brand visibility commitments to sponsors. They emphasized that the official May 1 performance would omit commercial elements.

Unexpectedly, a brief, unannounced drone display took place on April 30, featuring four coordinated formations in a 4–5 minute sequence. Unfortunately, the performance was abruptly halted when numerous drones malfunctioned and fell from the sky.

Organizers later confirmed that widespread signal interference posed a flight safety risk, prompting an immediate halt to the operation and drone recovery efforts. As a result, the planned May 1 public show was officially canceled.

Several drones were lost in the incident. The organizing unit spent days retrieving fallen devices and issued public notices urging residents who found them to return the equipment.

Despite the complications, Ho Chi Minh City’s 10,500-drone show remains a historic technical and artistic achievement that has now entered the Guinness World Records.

Dam De