Ngay Giai Phong Mien Nam
This week is a big week for holidays! Last Friday, 25 April, saw Australians and New Zealanders remember those who had died whilst serving their country during times of War and those who didn't return from the battle at Gallipoli, Turkey during WW1, the beginning of the ANZAC tradition.
May 1st is Labor Day and in Vietnam, the 30th April is Ngay Giai Phong Mien Nam or Liberation Day, the day in 1975 that the North Vietnamese liberated the South.
North Vietnamese tanks busted down the gates of what is now known as the Reunification Palace, the then home of the South Vietnamese Government. The North finally won and took control of Vietnam as a whole.
The day is celebrated Nation wide with parades and festivals along with ceremonies' remembering those who fought.
Ngay Giai Phong Mien Nam is a public holiday in Vietnam. Whilst it doesn't really affect travelers to much, many Vietnamese take the week off work as the the 1st of May is Labor Day. Many cities around Vietnam are flooded with domestic travelers, so if your here, book early!
Enjoy Vietnam - It's hard not to!