Vietnam had a big party for 50 years of peace after the war with the United States.

Saigon fell on April 30, 1975. This was the end of the war in Vietnam. The country's leader said Vietnam was more united now.

Vietnamese people come from Vietnam. They have the right to live and work there. They can look for happiness and love in their country, said To Lam.

He said, "We want Vietnam to be a country with peace, together, rich, and growing."

Many people slept outside to see the parade in the city. They stayed outside and ate food, waiting for the lights and sounds at night.

The city was red and yellow, like the flag of Vietnam.

"Now we need peace," said Nguyen Thi Hue. "Peace is what everyone in the world wants."

One float had a big bird from old stories. This bird is a sign for Vietnam. Another float had a picture of Ho Chi Minh.

Soldiers from China, Laos, and Cambodia walked after the soldiers from Vietnam. Some wore clothes like the soldiers from north Vietnam in the war. Planes with the country's flag flew over the parade. This was near the palace where a tank went through the doors on the last day of the war.

Many people watched the parade. They stood near the street and where there were big screens. People used their phones and waved to the soldiers. People at home watched on television.

The leader from Cambodia, Hun Sen, and the leader from Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith, sat next to the leader from Vietnam.

Lam said the end of the war was a very good time for Vietnam.

He said Vietnam is strong today because of help from other countries and people.

Vietnam wants peace now, not war. This shows how the country is changing.

Giang said the war still makes Vietnam one country, but it also shows the problems.

Pham Ngoc Son fought in the war. He says the U.S. and Vietnam should be friends now.

He said, "The war ended many years ago."

This year is 30 years since Vietnam and the U.S. became friends.

In 2023, Vietnam became a very good friend with the U.S.

But the relationship with the US is difficult now.

Vietnam says the US helps with problems from the war, like Agent Orange and old bombs.

Those projects might stop because the Trump government is giving less money to USAID.

Also, the country sells many things to other countries. But this is risky now because of Trump's plans about taxes on goods.

Vietnam had to pay a lot of extra money on things it sells to the US. A person said this makes it hard to understand what the US wants in Asia.

She said Vietnam was friends with America. This helped Vietnam have good relations with China.

Vietnam and the Philippines have problems with China about the sea.

If countries only think about money and not fighting for power, maybe the U.S. will not think Vietnam and other countries in Asia are very important.

It will show what the new leaders think about the plan for the Indo-Pacific area and where countries like Vietnam will be.

She said she would not talk about the reports.

Susan Burns from the U.S. attended. Marc E. Knapper did not.

About 13,000 people were in the parade. They walked on the main street to the Independence Palace. Then, they walked on other streets and passed the U.S. Consulate.

People saw a video online of soldiers singing a famous song.