A woman in a Vietnamese flag T-shirt walked past the Saigon Center shopping complex in Ho Chi Minh City on April 29, 2025 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Male accomplice/AFP passed Closed subtitles
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - U.S. officials did not participate in the main public event commemorating the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh city, according to a list of guests released by organizers.
The list announced in the final rehearsal of the military parade on April 30 were Vietnam's biggest friends - Laos, Cambodia, Cuba and China.
On April 30, 1975, the North Vietnamese army rushed into the Independence Palace in central Saigon (now known as Ho Chi Minh City), ending nearly 20 years of war, causing huge losses to the American allies in the north and south and south.
Now, this day is celebrated in Vietnam as a Reunification Day.
Last week, the New York Times reported that the Trump administration told its senior diplomats in Vietnam not to attend events related to anniversary, including a reception on April 29 and a military parade the next day.
Although the report was not confirmed, a State Department spokesman told NPR that the United States and Vietnam “have strong bilateral relations and we are committed to deepening and expanding these ties.”
The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry said Hanoi and Washington have now established a "comprehensive strategic partnership to achieve peace, cooperation and sustainable development."
A comprehensive strategic partnership is the highest level of bilateral relations between Vietnam and any other country.
The ministry also said foreign guests from more than 20 countries and organizations, including the United States, will participate in this year's celebrations.
Ahead of the anniversary, several U.S. veterans and former war journalists arrived in Ho Chi Minh City.
However, the obvious snub of U.S. government officials disappointed Vietnamese. Pang Xuan Hai, a 74-year-old veteran, told NPR that every country has “has its own ideas.”
"Even if they are our comprehensive strategic partners, their nature is different, but it should not and should not affect our happy moments," Hai said.
Event organizers said more than 13,000 people, including the Army, police and civilians, were participating in the main parade. Vietnam Air Force, fireworks and drone performances will have a flight.
Laos, Cambodia and China also sent soldiers to participate in the march, which attracted widespread public attention.
Local residents and people from other cities and provinces have been gathering in central Ho Chi City to watch the rehearsal of the parade and strengthen safety.
The city's war museums have surged domestically and internationally.