(VOVWORLD) -Crowds of locals and tourists packed Ho Chi Minh City’s Le Duan Street on Friday evening to the watch the State-level rehearsal of parade and march for the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30).
 The rehearsal includes a welcome performance, Party and State ceremonies, and a parade and march of armed forces and the masses. Photo: Ty Huynh/VOV
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A welcome art performance involved more than 1,000 performers. The People's Police Academy students played 800 drums echoing "The Epic of Victory" and a gun dance show themed "Country is Full of Joy".
 Chinese military servicemen join the parade. Photo: VTC News
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The parade rehearsal began with the flag-raising ceremony amidst the resounding sound of 21 cannon shots by the artillery team at Bach Dang Wharf.
Leading the parade were the Honorary Vehicles, including a model vehicle bearing the National Emblem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; a vehicle carrying the portrait of President Ho Chi Minh; and a vehicle symbolizing the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification.
 Female military band officers take photos with locals. Photo: Ty Huynh/VOV
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Next were 38 parade groups of armed forces, including 25 groups of the army and militia and 13 groups of the police, plus 12 groups representing mass organizations.
The armies of China, Laos, and Cambodia joined the parade rehearsal.
Earlier on Friday morning, helicopter and fighter jets performed a coordinated rehearsal over downtown Ho Chi Minh City, flying in formation and trailing the Party flag and national flag.
13,000 people will be engaged in another State-level rehearsal due for Sunday morning, before the official parade and march to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification from 6:30 a.m. next Wednesday.