The national reunification festival’s flag-raising ceremony in Quang Tri (Photo: VOV)

The festival will include an incense offering ceremony to show gratitude to Vietnamese heroes and martyrs on April 29, at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, Truong Son National Martyr Cemetery, Road 9 National Martyr Cemetery, and the memorial area dedicated to late Party General Secretary Le Duan.
Quang Tri province will begin its season of sea and island tourism this year following the festival.

Do Van Binh, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, "This year’s season of sea and island tourism will begin with the National unification festival to attract more visitors to Quang Tri. A flag-raising ceremony and traditional arts program will be held at the Hien Luong-Ben Hai monument on April 30. That will be followed by a boat race festival and other activities.”

The Geneva Agreements on Vietnam signed in 1954 divided Vietnam into North and South with the 17th Parallel where the Ben Hai River runs through the central province of Quang Tri as a borderline for 21 years. Throughout this prolonged period, the Hien Luong Bridge symbolized the division, expectations and the pain of loss and separation.

Hien Luong bridge is also the witness of victory, that led to the national reunification in Spring 1975.