The military parade held in Ho Chi Minh City concludes the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Saigon’s collapse.
Thousands of Vietnamese waving red flags and sang patriotic songs.
Wednesday’s event commemorated the first act of unification of the country when it seized Saigon, the Communist-run capital of North Vietnam on April 30, 1975, and was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after the war in honor of its founding leader.
The lotus-shaped float carrying a portrait of Ho Chi Minh was near the front of the parade, as fighters and helicopters carrying the red flag flew overhead.
Tony Chen of Al Jazeera, reporting from the city, said thousands of people stayed on the street overnight to get the best vantage point of the parade.
“I am proud to have helped liberate the South,” said Tran Van Truong, a 75-year-old veteran who traveled from the capital Hanoi, to watch the parade.
“But what’s gone, I have no hatred of people from the other side of the fight,” Torion told AFP news agency. “We should join hands to celebrate the end of the war.”
For the first time, more than 300 soldiers from China, Laos and Cambodia, also participated in the scene.
According to state media, more than 300,000 Chinese soldiers have been involved in bloody conflicts, providing important anti-aircraft defense assistance, and assisting logistics and supplies.
“I think Hanoi signalled China that it is aware of China’s historical contributions,” said Zach Abuza, a professor at Washington’s National War University, who focuses on Southeast Asian politics. “It’s another way they signal: “Don’t think our foreign policy is heading towards Americans.”
I’m nervous about our bond
This year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the US.
In 2023, Vietnam upgraded its relationship with the US to a comprehensive strategic partner relationship.
However, there are signs of tension in relations with Washington, including President Donald Trump’s heavy tariff levies and the cancellation of many foreign aid that affected war rectification efforts in Vietnam.
The contamination and unproduced weapons of rural Agent Orange remain life-threatening. The future of these projects is now at risk as the Trump administration has significantly reduced USAID.
Source link
