On Wednesday, Vietnam celebrated the 50th year since the end of the war with the United States and the start of its modern country. They had a military parade and talked about wanting a peaceful future.

When Saigon fell on April 30, 1975, it meant the end of a Vietnam split into the communist North and the South, which was friends with the U.S. The country's main leader spoke to groups of people and said that the previous years had made the country more and more united.

To Lam, the leader of the Vietnam Communist Party, said, "All Vietnamese people are from Vietnam. They have the right to live, work, and look for happiness and love freely in Vietnam."

He added that the party, the people, and the army promised to work together to make Vietnam a peaceful, united, rich, and developed country. They would move on from the past, respect different ideas, and look towards the future.

Thousands of people slept outside in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly called Saigon, the night before the parade so they could have the best view. Later in the day, many stayed in the streets, ate picnics, and waited for the drone and fireworks shows in the evening.

The city was full of the red and yellow of Vietnam's flag, seen on buildings, young people's faces, and on the shirts of visitors from across the country.

"Now it's time for peace," said spectator Nguyen Thi Hue, who lives in the city. "Peace is what everyone in the world wants."

One float showed the legendary Lac bird, a symbol of Vietnam, and another had a picture of Ho Chi Minh.

Soldiers from China, Laos, and Cambodia marched behind the Vietnamese army. Some of them wore uniforms like the ones North Vietnamese soldiers wore during the war. Helicopters with the national flag and planes flew over the parade near Independence Palace. This is where a North Vietnamese tank broke through the gates on the last day of the war.

People watched with great interest from behind the barriers and at places with large screens. With their phones held high and eyes open wide, they waved and shouted happily at the soldiers marching past. People at home sat close to their TVs to watch.

Next to Vietnam’s leader were Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen, and the head of the Laotian Communist Party, Thongloun Sisoulith.

To Lam said the fall of Saigon was more than just a win against the U.S. and South Vietnam. He called it a "great moment" that ended a 30-year fight for freedom, which began with trying to remove French soldiers.

He said Vietnam is important in the world today because of help from the Soviet Union, China, and the support of Laos and Cambodia. He also mentioned help from 'progressive' people around the world, including in the U.S.

Nguyen Khac Giang, an expert from Singapore, said that Vietnam is now focusing on peace and unity, not just winning wars like before. He explained this shows how Vietnam is reacting to changes in the world's economy and politics. He also said the Vietnam War is still important for how the Communist Party shows it has the right to lead. It's not just about winning the war, but also about showing the country is united. However, To Lam's comments suggested that achieving complete peace and unity is still not finished.

Giang said that the war still affects how united Vietnam is, and the disagreements that haven't been fixed.

Pham Ngoc Son, an old soldier who fought for the communists, says that today he only wants peace and friendship between the U.S. and Vietnam.

The 69-year-old, who drove army trucks and took soldiers and supplies on the Ho Chi Minh trail during the war, said, "The war finished a long time ago."

This year is also the 30th anniversary of official relations between Vietnam and the U.S.

In 2023, Vietnam improved its relationship with the U.S., making it a "comprehensive strategic partner." This is the highest level of diplomatic relationship Vietnam has with any country, the same as its relationships with China and Russia.

However, there are new problems in the relationship with Washington. President Donald Trump has put high taxes on imports and stopped a lot of money sent to other countries. This has made it harder to repair the damage from the war in Vietnam.

Vietnamese officials say their relationship with the U.S. is strong because America is helping to deal with problems from the war, like the pollution from Agent Orange and old bombs in the countryside that are still a danger.

The future of those projects is now uncertain because the Trump government has greatly reduced funding for USAID.

Also, the country that relies on exports is easily hurt in a weak global economy because of Trump's plans for taxes on imports.

Vietnam had to pay high taxes of 46% on goods sent to the US. Huong Le-Thu from the International Crisis Group said this makes people wonder what the US hopes to do in Asia.

She said that in the past, being close to Washington helped Vietnam handle its relationship with its much bigger and stronger neighbor, China.

Vietnam and the Philippines have had disagreements with China about who owns parts of the South China Sea.

If the U.S. cares more about economic competition than military competition, countries like Vietnam in Southeast Asia might not be as important to them.

She said it will depend on how the new government sees the situation in the Indo-Pacific and what role countries like Vietnam will have.

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce refused to comment on reports that the Trump administration had told diplomats not to go to anniversary events. She said, "I'm not going to discuss what has been suggested or not suggested."

The Embassy in Hanoi said that Susan Burns, who is the U.S. consul general in Ho Chi Minh City, went to the event. However, the U.S. ambassador, Marc E. Knapper, did not go.

Around 13,000 people, such as soldiers, local fighters, former military members, and people from the city, were in the parade. They marched along the main road towards the Independence Palace, then turned into other streets, going past the U.S. Consulate.

A video of Chinese soldiers singing a famous song called “As If Uncle Ho Were With Us on Victory Day” during practice was shared a lot online.