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5d ago

Vietnam Marks 50 Years Since War’s End with Grand Parade and Diplomatic Balancing

Commemorations in Ho Chi Minh City highlight national unity, wartime alliances, and emerging tensions with the U.S. over proposed tariffs.

Image
FILE- As her wounded husband raises his arm, a Vietnamese woman begs to be taken aboard a U.S. evacuation helicopter so they can escape a Viet Cong attack in Ba Gia, July 1965. The couple was left behind. (AP Photo/Eddie Adams, File)
FILE- Victorious North Vietnamese troops aboard a tank take a position outside Independence Palace in Saigon, April 30, 1975, the day the South Vietnamese government surrendered, ending the Vietnam War. Communist flags fly from the palace and the tank. (AP Photo/Yves Billy, File)
Flag-waving youngsters on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City told AFP that it was TikTok and Instagram posts that had fired their enthusiasm

Overview

  • A grand military parade and air show in Ho Chi Minh City celebrated the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, marking the end of the Vietnam War and the country’s reunification.
  • Vietnam’s Communist Party Chief To Lam called the victory a 'triumph of justice over tyranny,' emphasizing themes of unity and peace for the nation’s future.
  • China sent 118 troops to march in the parade, reflecting Vietnam’s acknowledgment of past wartime alliances even as it navigates complex regional dynamics.
  • The U.S.-Vietnam relationship, strengthened by a 2023 strategic partnership, faces strain from proposed 46% tariffs on Vietnamese exports announced by President Donald Trump.
  • Thousands of citizens camped overnight to witness the celebrations, which included floats, patriotic songs, and an emphasis on peace and reconciliation.