HCMC – Helicopters, and Su-30 and Yak-130 fighter jets flew over downtown HCMC this morning, April 18 in a rehearsal for the April 30 parade.
Although this was their third training flight in the area, it was the first time helicopters performed a flag-flying display during the drill.
Vietnamese Air Force squadrons took off from Bien Hoa military airbase in Dong Nai Province, flying in a 3-4-3 formation to the city’s downtown.
Around 9 a.m., the helicopter squadrons led the rehearsal flight toward downtown HCMC, towing the flags of the Party and the nation as they flew overhead.

Helicopter squadrons and fighter jets, including Su-30s and Yak-130s, carried out a striking rehearsal flight along a route from Thu Duc City to the Saigon Bridge, Independence Palace, and Bach Dang Wharf.
They then followed the Saigon River toward Thu Dau Mot City in Binh Duong Province and returned to Bien Hoa military airbase.