The performance was part of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of Reunification Day April 30, 1975.
On the evening of April 30, following the anniversary fireworks display, a fleet of drones ascended over HCM City; but just minutes later, the entire fleet was brought down, and the show concluded abruptly.
According to the HCM City Department of Culture and Sports, the widespread signal interference can cause potential flight safety risks, so, the organisers decided to cancel the flight and recall the drones to guarantee safety.
The drone performance was scheduled to take place along both banks of the Saigon River, stretching District 1 and Thu Duc City. The organisers had also planned to submit a dossier seeking recognition of a Vietnam record for the largest number of drones flown simultaneously during the show.
On the evening of April 28, HCM City conducted a full rehearsal with 10,500 drones in preparation for the official performance. The drones recreated the image of Tank 390 crashing through the main gate and advancing into the Independence Palace. The show also featured formations of President Ho Chi Minh’s portrait along with images of the Temple of Literature, Bitexco Tower, lotus flowers, doves, and other iconic landmarks of HCM City.
