Hanoi: Vietnam marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on Wednesday with a massive parade and patriotic celebrations across Ho Chi Minh City. The country’s top leader, Communist Party chief To Lam, described the moment as a “victory of justice over tyranny,” echoing the enduring unity promoted by revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh.
Tens of thousands turned out to witness the spectacle, which included troops marching in formation and an aerial display by Russian-built fighter jets and helicopters. Streets were filled with Vietnamese waving red flags and singing nationalistic songs in celebration of the historic day.
April 30, 1975, marks the fall of Saigon, when Communist forces from North Vietnam captured the capital of U.S.-backed South Vietnam. The city was soon renamed Ho Chi Minh City, symbolizing the reunification of the country and the culmination of a decades-long conflict that claimed the lives of an estimated 3 million Vietnamese and nearly 60,000 Americans.
On the day of the city’s fall, North Vietnamese troops entered with little resistance, bringing relief to many residents who had braced for a final, bloody confrontation. The victorious forces included both heavily armed soldiers and young fighters, some without shoes.
One of the most enduring images of the war’s end was the desperate helicopter evacuation of about 7,000 people, including American personnel and Vietnamese allies, from the rooftop of the U.S. Embassy just before the last American Marines departed.
Vietnam was formally reunified a year later, ending the division that followed the withdrawal of French colonial rule in 1954.
In the decades since, Vietnam has steadily rebuilt its international ties. Diplomatic relations with the United States were restored in 1995 and expanded further in 2023 with a visit by then-President Joe Biden. However, current U.S.-Vietnam relations face challenges following a proposed 46% tariff on Vietnamese imports announced by Biden’s successor, Donald Trump. While the tariff is on hold until July, ongoing negotiations will be crucial for Vietnam’s trade-dependent economy.
At Wednesday’s event, the U.S. was represented by Susan Burns, the consul general in Ho Chi Minh City—marking a shift from 2015, when no American official attended the 40th anniversary. France, Vietnam’s former colonial power, also made diplomatic overtures during recent commemorations.
Despite stronger ties with the U.S., Vietnam maintains a close defense relationship with Russia and continues to deepen economic links with China, which plays a vital role in supplying components for Vietnam’s exports. In a symbolic gesture of solidarity, a 118-member Chinese military contingent joined the parade to honor the international support Vietnam received during its fight for independence.
