Vietnam marks 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War with national celebrations
On April 30, 2025, Vietnam celebrates the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, marking the reunification of the country. The commemorations featured a grand parade, speeches, and displays of military might.
On April 30, 2025, Vietnam marked a significant milestone: the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and the reunification of the country. The day commemorates the fall of Saigon to communist forces, an event that occurred on April 30, 1975, bringing the country back together after over two decades of division.
Marching in unity: Thousands of Vietnamese troops and citizens take part in the grand parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Photo: The New York Times
The anniversary was celebrated with great pride in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), where thousands of Vietnamese citizens participated in a grand parade. The event featured military marches, an airshow with Russian-made fighter jets, and patriotic displays, reflecting the country’s deep national pride.
Vietnam celebrates the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War
To Lam, Vietnam's Communist Party chief, stated that the end of the war was a "victory of faith," in which justice won over tyranny. In his celebratory speech, To Lam said this Wednesday that one of the founding mottos of Ho Chi Minh's "Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one. Rivers may dry up, mountains may erode, but that truth will never change," which remains relevant today.
After a 20-year conflict, the fall of Saigon, two years after Washington withdrew its last combat troops from the country, killed almost 3 million Vietnamese and nearly 60,000 Americans.
Vietnam-U.S. Relations: from conflict to cooperation
After decades of tension, Vietnam-U.S. relations have gone a long way since the end of the war. The 2 countries formalized diplomatic relations in 1995 and with the visit to Hanoi in 2023 of then-president Joe Biden, both countries strengthened their ties.
A spectacular parade marks the historic anniversary in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: USA Today
However, that relationship is in danger as Biden's successor, Donald Trump, has announced 46% tariffs in Vietnamese goods in April. While the tariffs have been paused until July, if they are confirmed, it could undermine Vietnam's export-led growth that has attracted large foreign investments.
