Cotton-Pickin’ Days

Drummers (left) and people passing by the American Consulate in some sort of reenactment of Victory Day (right).

The Vietnam War ended 30 years ago today on April 30, 1975. Compared to last year, the celebrations are much more elaborate.

Starting with fireworks last night, which Stephen thought was boring, the following is a chronicle of Victory Day events from my vantage point (as much as I get to see while also taking care of a toddler).

I have also contributed some photos to the Victory Day Flickr pool started by Noodlepie.

This will be updated as the day progresses.

Victory Day Eve, April 29, 2005

10 p.m.
Fireworks display

Victory Day, April 30, 2005

5:15 a.m.
Loud patriotic songs blaring from speakers.

People in white filled Le Duan street from sidewalk to sidewalk (symbolizing war deaths?).

5:45 a.m.
Drums beating.

Men in dark army fatigues lying on the street in front of the U.S. Embassy.

Men in light green army uniforms down the street a little way down from those in dark green. Small rocket-like bombs interpersed among them.

Men dressed in white shirts and dress pants and women dressed in colorful traditional ao dai continue to fill the street walking toward Reunification Palace, the former presidential palace of the South Vietnamese government.

6:30 a.m.
No more people walking down the street.

In the dark green army fatigues group, some men replaced by caps (symbolism?).

Two groups of only two to three men in light green remain with about 20 rockets between them.

About 100 men in bright green with white gloves in formation behind the men in light green.

About 30 big bunches of colorful party balloons are waiting on the street corner (to be released later, I assume).

Two sets of about 100 rifles lying flat in the street lined up neatly in rows.

6:40 a.m.
Men in khaki don white gloves and stand next to rockets. Are they planning to light them?!

Each rifle now has a person in uniform standing next to it. I have the feeling that there’s going to be a lot of ammo fired in a few minutes.

6:45 a.m.
Large formations of men (?) in various shades of green and white military uniform fill the street.

6:50 a.m.
Each formation starts a quick march toward Reunification Palace.

The streets are surprisingly devoid of spectators.

7 a.m.
The drum band really starts beating their drums now.

(I bake oat bran muffins, Stephen watches Winnie the Pooh, and Marv buries his head under the covers.)

7:40 a.m.
Noodlepie said there would be tanks rolling down the street at 7 a.m., but there’s been no action for a while now.

8:10 a.m.
Those poor parade folks have been standing in the hot sun for an hour while a pompous windbag is undoubtedly giving a speech down at the palace.

8:20 a.m.
The action starts again. Lots of red, lots of flags. Floats and people in colorful traditional costume.

9 a.m.
Street cleaners in orange bodysuits sweep the streets.

9:15 a.m.
People start returning in droves, walking in the shade on one side of the street.

9:45 a.m.
Streets empty.

10 a.m.
The street is open to traffic again. I just saw a family of three on a motorbike among the police bikes.

11 a.m.
A large crowd fills the interesection then all along both side of the street. I can hear a speech and people cheering. The cheers sound pre-recorded.

12 noon
All is quiet. Stephen and I take a nap.

8:30 p.m.
No action this afternoon. Nighttime parade with brightly lit floats is passing by now.