After over 40 years, “reunification day” in Vietnam, even though it's a national holiday, continues to mark division, rather than peace and harmony. For, in the days following the “reunification” on April 30, 1975-- achieved by hundreds of thousands of deaths-- millions were sent to reeducation camps (of which, many did not find their way back) and “boat people,” the biggest refugee crisis in modern history, began.

These facts make any independent civic and political activities held within this day a direct threat against the regime and their “orderly society.” In 2019, to make sure that no unwanted activity could take place, the public security in southern provinces kidnapped, physically assaulted, and detained many activists, giving no warrant or explanation.