City celebrates 49 years of bearing President Ho Chi Minh’s name

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Dung noted that with 327 years of history and over three decades of renewal, Ho Chi Minh City has become Vietnam’s leading economic, financial, trade, and service centre, and a regional growth engine.

Locals take part in traditional folk games. (Photo: VNA)
Locals take part in traditional folk games. (Photo: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) - A vibrant series of events was launched in Ho Chi Minh City on June 27 to mark 327 years since the founding of Saigon – Cho Lon – Gia Dinh – Ho Chi Minh City (1698–2025), and 49 years since the city was officially named after President Ho Chi Minh (July 2, 1976–2025).

Organised by the municipal People’s Committee, the celebration runs through July 1, featuring southern traditional music performances, water puppetry, folk games, photo and video exhibitions on the city’s development, as well as displays of modern agricultural models and OCOP products.

These activities aim to highlight the city’s achievements in development, urban safety, cultural preservation, social welfare, and its contributions to national efforts such as the new rural development programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Dung noted that with 327 years of history and over three decades of renewal, Ho Chi Minh City has become Vietnam’s leading economic, financial, trade, and service centre, and a regional growth engine. The celebration, he said, was an opportunity to reflect on the city’s dynamic legacy and promote its vision as a modern, innovative, liveable metropolis.

Dung also highlighted the city’s transformational role in shaping a future megacity hub in southern Vietnam, forming a tri-polar economic zone with Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau. Thu Duc city is being positioned as a new international financial centre, linked by a smart urban corridor connecting Ho Chi Minh City to Di An, Thuan An, Thu Dau Mot, Ben Cat, Phu My and Ba Ria–Vung Tau.

The region is also expected to see the development of a smart, AI-driven seaport and logistics complex in Cai Mep–Thi Vai–Can Gio, and a high-end eco-tourism zone.

vna-potal-khai-mac-chuoi-hoat-dong-ky-niem-49-nam-ngay-sai-gon-gia-dinh-mang-ten-chu-tich-ho-chi-minh-8118571.jpg
Delegates visit a photo exhibition showcasing the formation, construction, and development of Saigon – Cho Lon – Gia Dinh – Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

At the event, delegates visited an exhibition on the historical development of Saigon – Gia Dinh – Ho Chi Minh City and rural development products from the city.

The opening ceremony concluded with an art performance themed “For a clean, green, environmentally friendly city”, featuring popular local artists and aligning with the 2025 Month of Action for the Environment.

The event also included the presentation of the 5th Ho Chi Minh City Environment Awards and the recognition of 50 exemplary communes, wards and towns for their achievements to become clean, green and environmentally friendly./.

VNA

See more

The shooting duo Trinh Thu Vinh and Pham Quang Huy of Vietnam win a silver medal in the 10m mixed team air pistol event. (Photo: VNA)

SEA Games 33: Shooting, Wushu secure silvers

On the Wushu mat, Dang Tran Phuong Nhi secured a silver medal after competing in the women’s southern fist, southern staff and southern broadsword events, finishing with a total score of 29.112 points.

Shooter Trinh Thu Vinh competes in the women’s 10m air pistol team event. (Photo: VNA)

SEA Games 33: Vietnam excels with record-breaking performances

The trio of Nguyen Thuy Trang, Trinh Thu Vinh and Trieu Thi Hoa Hong delivered an impressive performance in the women’s 10m air pistol team event on December 14. Competing with consistency and precision, the Vietnamese shooters amassed a total of 1,711 points to win the gold medal and shatter the SEA Games record.

Director Dang Thai Huyen (second from left) and actors of 'Red Rain'. (Photo courtesy of VFDA)

‘Red Rain’ closes Vietnamese Film Week in Paris

Adapted from the novel by Chu Lai, ‘Red Rain’ draws inspiration from the 81-day battle to defend the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel in 1972. The film has stormed into the history books as Vietnam’s highest-grossing domestic film of all time, with 700 billion VND (nearly 26.5 million USD) in revenue.

A visitor learn about the traditional embroidery craft of the Pa Di ethnic group in Muong Khuong commune (Photo: VNA)

Lao Cai works hard to preserve Pa Di people’s traditional crafts

To preserve their cultural heritage and values, and prevent traditional crafts, especially traditional costume-making, from fading away, the Pa Di people in Muong Khuong, Lao Cai province, are actively working with local authorities and agencies on preservation efforts.

German friends taste Vietnamese pho (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam Pho Day launched in Europe amid broader culinary push

Prior to the launch, the Vietnamese Embassy encouraged businesses and restaurants throughout Germany to join in the event. By December 12, six partners had signed up via the We Love Pho organisation's website (welovepho.org), committing to promotional posts, website and social media shares, features in Vietnamese language media, and special discounts for pho customers during the event.