Reminiscing About the Days Leading Up to Vietnam War's Fall on April 30, 1975, as Experienced by a Korean Reporter
Rewritten Article:
From the Heart of Saigon's Fall: Ahn Byung Chan's Tale
SAIGON (APRIL 30, 2025) - Ahn Byung Chan, renowned journalist and former reporter for South Korea's (RoK) influential Hankook Ilbo newspaper, shares poignant memories as Vietnam approaches its 50th anniversary of the Liberation and National Reunification on April 30.
Ahn, now an elderly gentleman with a sparkle in his eyes, was the last Korean journalist to depart Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) on that fateful morning of April 30, 1975. As a correspondent for one of RoK's largest newspapers, he embarked on a three-year adventure in Southern Vietnam, memorizing every nook and cranny of downtown Saigon.
Journalism wasn't easy, Ahn recalls. Teletypes were a luxury, and he often found himself at the central telex office near Ben Thanh Market, braving the chaos to send out news. Despite orders to leave Saigon, his unwavering passion for journalism kept him in the thick of things until the bitter end.
As reports of South Vietnam's military difficulties and impending defeat became more frequent and the city was placed under a strict curfew, Ahn remained undeterred. The city's air was thick with the hum of gunfire and the whir of helicopters.
In the tense days leading up to April 30, Ahn penned an article titled "An Empty Room in Saigon," capturing the isolation he felt in his quiet office amidst the city's dramatic demise. On April 28, he captured images of the Korean Embassy's flag being lowered, symbolizing the impending liberation.
The oppressive April heat added to the suffocating atmosphere in Saigon as the earlier wave of evacuations dwindled. Abandoned homes and businesses lined the streets, with the US Embassy serving as the last refuge. Helicopters landed on the embassy's rooftop, adding new landing zones on the lawn to prioritize American citizens and allied officials. As a journalist from RoK, Ahn was among the third or fourth priority groups.
On the chaotic morning of April 30, Ahn managed to line up for evacuation. Reminiscing, he recalls being among the last to board a helicopter, his gaze lingering on the city one last time. When he heard of Saigon's liberation just hours later, he felt a profound sense of gratitude for having been a part of such a historic moment.
As Ahn sailed to the Philippines after his departure from Saigon, he wished the Vietnamese people joy in their hard-won independence and unity. His affinity for Vietnam remains deep to this day.
In 1989, after a 14-year hiatus, Ahn returned to Vietnam for a business trip. His unforgettable memories of Saigon compelled him to revisit the city almost annually on April 30. This year, at the ripe age of 88, he still dreams of returning to Ho Chi Minh City to pay tribute to the past and welcome the future.
As per tradition, whenever Ahn returns to Vietnam, he usually revisits the Continental Hotel, Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Street, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Independence Palace. In 2025, he hopes to continue his annual pilgrimage, marking half a century since a pivotal moment in Vietnam's history.
Reflecting on Vietnam's journey, Ahn noted the nation's spirit of goodwill and practicality, leading to its increasing development, prosperity, and strength. The RoK and Vietnam have enjoyed a close relationship for over three decades, and Ahn attributes this to shared history and cultural similarities. As a former journalist and a man who loves Vietnam, he continues to hope for the further development of the bilateral relations and for people-to-people exchanges to expand. This way, he believes Koreans can better comprehend Vietnam's significance and the value of unity and peace. - VNS
Enrichment Data:Ahn Byung Chan, a former reporter for the Republic of Korea's (RoK) Hankook Ilbo newspaper, holds a significant place in history as he was both the first Korean journalist to arrive in Southern Vietnam and the last to leave Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) on April 30, 1975. Here's a detailed account of his experiences:
Background
Ahn Byung Chan was a correspondent for Hankook Ilbo, one of South Korea's largest newspapers at the time. He was assigned to cover the events unfolding in South Vietnam during the tumultuous period leading up to the fall of Saigon.
Experiences in Vietnam
Ahn spent about three years in Southern Vietnam, becoming intimately familiar with the city's layout, particularly downtown Saigon. His reporting work was challenging, as he often had to visit the central telex office near Ben Thanh Market to send news, as teletypes were not universally available.
Days Leading to April 30, 1975
As April 30 approached, Ahn witnessed the increasing unrest in the city. Reports of the South Vietnamese military's struggles and eventual defeat grew more frequent. Saigon was placed under strict curfew, and the sounds of gunfire and helicopters were common. Despite orders to leave, Ahn chose to stay, driven by his journalistic passion.
Departure from Saigon
On the morning of April 30, 1975, Ahn became the last Korean journalist to leave Saigon. He embarked on flight PT35, widely believed to be the last U.S.-coordinated aircraft to depart Saigon, aboard a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft. This marked the end of his stint in Vietnam and left him with lasting memories of the dramatic fall of Saigon.
Legacy and Reflections
Ahn's dedication to journalism and his experiences in Vietnam have been remembered and celebrated, particularly as Vietnam marks the 50th anniversary of the reunification. His stories provide a unique perspective on those pivotal days, reflecting both the tension and the historical significance of the events he witnessed.
To this day, Ahn is remembered not only for his role as a journalist but also for his enduring affection for Vietnam and its people. His memories of those critical days remain vivid, offering a first-hand account of the dramatic fall of Saigon. Ahn's legacy serves as a testament to the power of journalism in capturing and preserving history.
Ahn Byung Chan, a former reporter for the Republic of Korea (RoK)'s Hankook Ilbo newspaper. - VNA/VNS Photo Trường Giang
- In an exclusive account, Ahn Byung Chan, a Korean journalist and former Hankook Ilbo correspondent, shares remembrances as Vietnam prepares to commemorate its 50th anniversary of Liberation and National Reunification.
- Amid Vietnam's looming 50th anniversary, Ahn, now an elder with a gleam in his eyes, recalls his unparalleled three-year resident stint in downtown Saigon, punctuated by a desperate race against war and chaos.
- Despite legislative mandates to withdraw, Ahn Byung Chan, driven by sheer devotion to journalism, eschewed evacuation orders, preferring to stay at the crux of South Vietnam's tumultuous phase, documenting events for the Hankook Ilbo newspaper.
- In the final days preceding April 30, Ahn unflinchingly focused on capturing Vietnam's transformation using practical and unbiased journalistic principles, illuminating the intricate relationship between law, war, politics, general news, and culture.
- When the conflict between North and South Vietnam was at its peak, Ahn, a keen observer of war and conflicts, observed that the national spirit of Vietnam, encompassing goodwill and practicality, was reflective of the country's growing development, prosperity, and strength.
- Delving deeper into the cultural and political dimensions of his experiences, Ahn Byung Chan, a Korean man who loves the spirit of Vietnam, longs for the further development of bilateral relations and enhanced people-to-people interactions to foster a deeper understanding of Vietnam's values and promote peace.
