Massive celebration march marking the 50-year anniversary of the collapse of Saigon
Celebrating in Style: Vietnam's 50th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon with a Special Guest
Vietnam is set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon in grand fashion, inviting Chinese soldiers to join the festivities for the first time. Ho Chi Minh City will play host to a military parade, complete with fighter jets flying overhead, from morning till night.
Over 13,000 participants, both civilians and military personnel, will take part in the parade as a nod to the pro-American South that surrendered in April 1975. One young resident, Tran Hoang Yen, expressed her enthusiasm, calling the event a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
The city has been transformed into a carnival, with flags fluttering everywhere, including the red and blue flag of the Viet Cong Army. April 30 is celebrated as "Reunification Day" by the Communist Party, with the general secretary issuing a call for reconciliation amidst increased repression of critical voices.
As the parade unfolds, the government will release 8,000 prisoners starting Thursday, though no political activists will be among them. A 75-year-old veteran, Tran Van Truong, traveled from Hanoi with a message of reconciliation. He expressed his hopes that the country could overcome "hatred, separatism, or division" to prevent future generations from experiencing war.
The conflict resulted in millions of deaths on the Vietnamese side, an overwhelming majority of whom were civilians, as well as hundreds of thousands of injuries. Many of these injured were exposed to Agent Orange, a toxic herbicide used by American forces. The Vietnam War marked a significant defeat for the United States, which had previously considered itself invincible.
This year, the parade will also feature soldiers from China, Laos, and Cambodia—the three neighboring countries that share a border with Vietnam. The participation of Chinese soldiers is particularly noteworthy, as it signifies a gesture towards historical support during Vietnam’s independence struggles and a reshaping of bilateral relations.
Vietnam’s strategic approach to foreign policy means they maintain economic and security cooperation with China while also emphasizing their strategic autonomy. China remains Vietnam's top trade partner, but diffused tensions over territorial disputes in the South China Sea persist.
Vietnam’s multi-vector foreign policy is also demonstrated by its defense ties with China and Laos, reliance on Russia for military hardware, and efforts to stabilize economic and strategic tensions with the United States. The parade itself will feature Russian-made jets and helicopters, emphasizing Vietnam’s diversified alliances.
The commemorative events come just two weeks after a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Hanoi, as relations between the two countries face ongoing challenges from American protectionism and China's growing influence. Despite the complications, Vietnam continues to navigate these challenges with a keen balance between cooperation and assertiveness.
In a country where most people were born after the war, there seems to be widespread enthusiasm for the anniversary celebrations, particularly from young people who are eager to catch glimpses of handsome military personnel. As Vietnam looks to the future, its historical milestones continue to shape its foreign policy and national identity (src: Zach Abuza, Professor at the National War College in Washington).
- The 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, a significant event in war-and-conflicts politics, is being celebrated in Ho Chi Minh City with thousands of participants, signaling a spirit of national unity and reconciliation.
- Vietnam, as it commemorates the fall of Saigon, is not only inviting soldiers from neighboring countries like China, Laos, and Cambodia but also showcasing Russian-made jets and helicopters, reflecting its diversified alliances in foreign politics.
- In the midst of ongoing challenges from American protectionism and China's growing influence, Vietnam is carrying out its multi-vector foreign policy, maintaining economic and security cooperation with China while emphasizing its strategic autonomy.
- Despite being born after the war, many young residents of Saigon eagerly celebrate the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, with a keen interest in the military parade, possibly signaling a new era in the country's political landscape.
