Vietnam celebrated on Wednesday the 50th anniversary of the communist victory over US forces, but with an eye on ties with the United States that have flourished in recent decades but run the risk of fraying under President Donald Trump.
Thousands of people, some of whom camped overnight, aligned the streets of what is now called Ho Chi Minh, previously Saigon, waving red flags and singing patriotic songs while seeing a great parade through the main boulevard to the Palace of Independence.
It was there that a Norvietnamese tank crashed through the doors on April 30, 1975, carrying the participation of the United States in the Vietnam War until a dramatic end while the Americans evacuated and many of the South Vietnamese that had supported in their war against the north of communist realization were left behind.
In the 20 years until the fall of Saigon, the conflict had killed more than 58,000 members of the US service and around 3 million Vietnamese.
The parade was held every year in what Vietnam calls “Liberation Day”, presented marching troops, as well as in an air show with combat aircraft and Russian manufacturing helicopters that fly on the palace.
Even American diplomats were seen on stage here after the Trump administration supposedly facilitated an order not to attend events.
The anniversary occurs when the Southeast Asian nation of 100 million people is at a crossroads in its relations with the United States and China.
Despite the legacy of the war, the United States is very popular in Vietnam and the two countries have strong ties. Trade has grown exponentially, and the United States considers Vietnam a vital security partner to counteract Chinese influence.
“It seems absolutely extraordinary that the United States and Vietnam, after going through such a brutal and tragic period, have now built 50 years later this incredible association and friendship we enjoy today,” said Daniel Kritenbrink, former assistant secretary of state for Eastern and Pacific Asia Affairs under President Joe Biden and a former United States ambassador to Vietnam, who is now a partner of Asia Group.
“But that work was not easy,” he said, “and even 50 years later, many of these historical problems and problems related to our tragic past remain very sensitive.”
