The art program "Glory of Vietnam". Photo: PV

A surge of pride

The Northwest Square in Son La city, a gathering place for emotions and pride, hosted the art program "Glory of Vietnam," offering audiences a diverse range of performances praising the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, the homeland, the country, and the renewal of Son La. The program encouraged revolutionary spirit, awakened patriotism, national pride, and the desire to contribute among the military and people of Son La. The art program featured the participation of over 200 artists and performers from the Provincial Song and Dance Theatre, students from Son La College, and soldiers from the Provincial Military Command.

The general director of the art program, Meritorious Artist The Hung, Director of the Provincial Music and Dance Theater, shared: The theater has developed a script and advised the province on a program including famous artistic works from various periods and new, meaningful works. The program has been meticulously prepared, rehearsed systematically, and the artistic performances are elaborately staged to touch the emotions of the audience, awaken a spirit of national pride, a strong belief in striving forward, and convey a message to today's generation to always be grateful for the contributions of the generations of ancestors who bravely fought and sacrificed to win independence and unify the country. At the same time, to cherish the value of freedom and peace.

During the historic days of April, the grounds of the Provincial Museum and Library, and the Son La Prison National Special Historical Site, welcomed a large number of people and tourists who gathered at this red address to educate about revolutionary traditions, visit the photo exhibition themed "The Song of Unification," and listen to the sounds of revolutionary songs celebrating the nation's complete joy.

Officers and soldiers of the armed forces visit the photo exhibition themed "The Song of Unification" at the Provincial Museum and Library.

Mr. Pham Van Tuan, Deputy Director of the Provincial Museum and Library, happily stated: "The unit has developed the content for the photo exhibition 'Song of Unification' with 80 valuable images and documents related to the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country; selected songs praising the Party, homeland, and country to be broadcast on loudspeakers at the entrance to the historical site; compiled specialized scientific information, news summaries, and book introductions about the event; and strengthened the team of tour guides to inform the people and tourists about the meaning, scale, and great historical value of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, recalling the glorious past, expressing gratitude for the great sacrifices of previous generations, and arousing patriotism, solidarity, and determination to build a stronger and more prosperous Vietnam."

Many agencies, units, and localities organized meaningful activities to express their love for their homeland and celebrate the Day of Liberation of the South and National Reunification, such as: organizing art programs, sports competitions, and activities to honor those who contributed to the revolution; many schools organized extracurricular activities to educate students about traditions...

Mr. Lo Duc Ngoc, Secretary of the Mai Son District Youth Union, shared: The District Youth Union organized a program to honor outstanding students who achieved the title of "Good Children of Uncle Ho at the district level" in 2025 and an art program "The Nation's Complete Joy"; a men's youth volleyball tournament in Mai Son district; organized activities to visit, encourage, and express gratitude to veterans, former youth volunteers, families of martyrs, and Vietnamese Heroic Mothers; and organized a candle-lighting ceremony to honor the heroic martyrs at the Martyrs' Cemetery, memorials, monuments, and historical revolutionary resistance sites in the locality.

Officials, civil servants, and students in Phu Yen district, wearing red shirts with the yellow star flag, formed the shape of the country. Photo: Contributor.

Particularly striking during those historic April days was the vibrant red flag with a yellow star fluttering throughout the streets and roads, from towns to villages. "National Flag Roads" and slogans like "Peace is beautiful" appeared in many offices, schools, and localities. Phu Yen district even mobilized 300 people wearing red and yellow flag shirts to form the shape of the country.

On social media, the color red blazed as personal accounts changed their profile pictures to images commemorating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country, posting photos with the national flag, spreading national pride and love for the homeland.

A vibrant atmosphere of competition

April 30, 1975, is one of the glorious milestones in the history of the Vietnamese nation, marking the complete victory of the resistance war against the US, liberating the South, unifying the country, and ushering in a period of independence, peace, and development.

Fifty years after the liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country, Son La, once a province facing many post-war difficulties, has made remarkable progress in all fields: the economy has developed, the people's lives have improved, national defense and security are ensured, and foreign relations have been strengthened. Son La is determined to build a rapidly developing, green, and sustainable province; becoming a center for high-tech agricultural development in the Northwest region.

To celebrate the country's major holidays, the entire political system is actively involved, along with the efforts and initiative of the business community and every citizen, contributing to boosting production and business, working together to achieve the target of 8% growth in Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) by 2025 as assigned by the Government, creating a foundation for implementing the socio-economic development plan for the period 2026-2030, aiming for double-digit economic growth from 2026-2030 onwards.

Son La province has been assigned by the Prime Minister as the managing agency for the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway project, specifically the section within Son La province. The province is focusing intensely on preparation, striving to commence construction of the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway section within Son La province on May 19th.

Officials from Chiềng On commune, Yên Châu district, inspect the progress of housing construction for impoverished households. Photo: PV

Responding to the emulation movement "Joining hands to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses nationwide in 2025" launched by the Prime Minister, Son La province is striving to mobilize the participation of Party committees, governments at all levels, the Fatherland Front, political and social organizations, and the armed forces in disseminating information and implementing the task of eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses. All resources are being mobilized with the determination to complete the elimination of temporary and dilapidated houses in the province before May 19, 2025, with a target of 2,855 houses, including 2,443 new houses and 412 houses to be repaired.

Mr. Phan Ngoc Linh, Vice Chairman of the Phu Yen District People's Committee, said: The district directed the organization of solemn and meaningful activities, such as: screening films on a large screen about the liberation of Southern Vietnam provided by the Film Department; organizing the art program "The Unified Nation"; directing communes and towns to organize practical activities suitable to local conditions. Calling on cadres, Party members, and the people to participate in the emulation movement "Joining hands to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses" launched by the Prime Minister, the entire district is determined to complete the elimination of 385 temporary and dilapidated houses for 385 policy beneficiary households, poor households, and near-poor households before April 30, 2025.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country, cadres, Party members, and people of all ethnic groups in Son La province are intensifying their national pride, rekindling patriotism, strengthening unity, and resolutely building the province to become increasingly developed, worthy of the great contributions and sacrifices of previous generations, and together with the whole country, confidently preparing to enter a new era of national progress, beginning with the momentous event - the 14th National Congress of the Party.