On April 30, Vietnam observed the 50th anniversary of the end of what that country knows as the Vietnam War. This celebration was a truly momentous occasion in our nation’s history. The day commemorated the fall of Saigon in 1975, when communist forces took control, concluding a protracted conflict that lasted nearly two decades. The celebrations included various activities across the country, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City, where a large parade took place.
On April 30, upwards of 13,000 runners and walkers came together in Ho Chi Minh City. They joined in a spectacular opening parade of military forces, civilians, students and artists. The march started down Le Duan Street and quickly grew in all four directions through the energetic city. Participants waved flags and cheered as they marched, creating an atmosphere of joyful remembrance and pride in their nation. That sense of optimism attracted hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese citizens. They camped outside overnight to experience the event and welcome the contestants.
In addition to the parade, the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City attracted numerous visitors who came to reflect on the war’s impact. On April 27, one woman in full combat uniform posed happily atop a downed U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter. The next day, this museum fan took a selfie in front of the interactive art museum. The museum featured a number of interactive, participatory exhibits. Among them were propaganda posters produced by Tran Duy Truc, an 82-year-old artist who painted these works in order to honor the anniversary. His influential artwork was revealed in Hanoi on April 29, adding to the national artistic and poetic meditations on this historic event.
The party soon spread well beyond Ho Chi Minh City. In Washington, D.C., students’ images were reflected in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall on April 30, symbolizing the enduring legacy of those affected by the war. In Ho Chi Minh City, one woman sported a conical hat festooned with tiny Vietnamese flags. She posed in front of the memorial Independence Palace on April 29, expressing local pride and independence with a united hand on region during the commemorative week.
Throughout the lead-up to the anniversary, motorists drove around central Ho Chi Minh City, contributing to the festive atmosphere with bustling energy and excitement. These years of turmoil beforehand had brought multiple generations of Vietnamese people together. They praised their common past, reiterated the determination of their peoples to overcome all the adversities that befell them as a people.