On Wednesday, Vietnam commemorated the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the war with the United States and the establishment of its contemporary nation, featuring a military procession and an emphasis on a peaceful future.

On April 30, 1975, Saigon fell, ending the division of Vietnam into the communist North and the South, which was allied with the U.S. The country's main leader told the crowds that the past years had brought more and more unity.

“All Vietnamese people are descendants of Vietnam. They are entitled to reside and work here, and to pursue happiness and love freely in this nation,” stated To Lam, the Vietnamese Communist Party’s general secretary.

He also said that the whole party, the people, and the army promised to work towards a future where Vietnam is a country of peace, unity, wealth, and progress, by moving past the past and respecting different ideas.

Thousands camped overnight on the streets of the former South Vietnamese capital, which is now called Ho Chi Minh City after North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops took control of it, to get the best view for the parade. Many stayed on the streets later in the afternoon and had picnics while waiting for the drone and fireworks shows in the evening.

The red and yellow of Vietnam's national flag was seen everywhere in the city, flying from buildings, painted on the faces of excited teenagers, and on the T-shirts of people who had come from all over the country.

"Now is the opportune moment for peace," remarked spectator Nguyen Thi Hue, a local resident. "Peace represents the universal aspiration that resonates with people across the globe."

One float showcased the mythical Lac bird, Vietnam's emblem, while another featured a portrait of Ho Chi Minh.

Chinese, Laotian, and Cambodian troops paraded behind Vietnamese army formations, some of which sported uniforms reminiscent of those worn by North Vietnamese forces during the conflict. Helicopters bearing the national flag and jets soared over the procession near Independence Palace, where a North Vietnamese tank had breached the gates on the final day of hostilities.

Spectators absorbed the display, congregating beyond the barricades and at select street intersections equipped with immense screens. With mobiles aloft and expressions animated, individuals greeted the progressing soldiers with gestures and applause. Meanwhile, those indoors were engrossed in their television broadcasts.

Sitting next to the leader of Vietnam were Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen, and the General Secretary of the Laotian Communist Party, Thongloun Sisoulith.

To Lam described the fall of Saigon as a "glorious landmark." He said it was more than just winning against the U.S. and South Vietnam; it was the end of a 30-year fight for independence that started with removing French soldiers.

He attributed Vietnam's current global standing to backing from the Soviet Union and China, solidarity from Laos and Cambodia, and the support of "progressive" individuals worldwide, including within the U.S.

Nguyen Khac Giang, an analyst at Singapore’s ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, said that focusing on peace instead of military success, like in past years, showed how Vietnam is changing with the world economy and politics. He also said the Vietnam War is very important to how the Communist Party explains its right to rule, not just as a win in war but also as a sign of the country being united. But To Lam’s comments showed that peace is still not fully achieved.

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

For Pham Ngoc Son, a veteran of the communist forces, he perceives that "there is no room for anything but peace and friendship" between the U.S. and Vietnam today.

The war ended a long time ago, said the 69-year-old man who was an army truck driver during the war. He drove soldiers and supplies from the north to the south on the Ho Chi Minh trail, which was a secret supply route used by North Vietnam.

This year also commemorates the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the U.S.

In 2023, Vietnam elevated its relationship with the U.S. to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the most significant diplomatic status it confers on any nation, aligning it with the level of ties held with China and Russia.

However, the relationship with Washington is showing renewed signs of strain, particularly following President Donald Trump's imposition of substantial tariffs and the cessation of significant foreign aid, which has consequently impacted war remediation initiatives in Vietnam.

Vietnamese officials affirm that the relationship with the U.S. is founded upon American endeavors to resolve the lingering consequences of war, including Agent Orange contamination and hazardous unexploded ordnance in rural areas.

The viability of those projects is now jeopardised due to the extensive reductions implemented by the Trump administration concerning USAID.

Additionally, the country that relies on exports is easily affected in a global economy that is unstable because of Trump’s plans for tariffs.

Vietnam was hit with high tariffs of 46% from the U.S., which is one of the highest. An expert from the International Crisis Group said this makes it unclear what the U.S. wants to do in Asia.

She noted that previously, strong connections with Washington had assisted Vietnam in balancing its relationships with its significantly larger and more powerful neighbour, China.

Vietnam, alongside the Philippines, is a nation that has engaged in direct confrontations with China regarding conflicting maritime claims in the South China Sea.

The emphasis on economic rather than strategic competition could potentially diminish the significance of Vietnam and other Southeast Asian nations to the United States.

"It will significantly influence how the new administration perceives the strategic landscape in the Indo-Pacific and where countries such as Vietnam would be positioned," she stated.

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce on Tuesday declined to address reports that the Trump administration had dissuaded diplomats from participating in anniversary events, stating, "I will not comment on what has or has not been recommended."

The Embassy in Hanoi confirmed the U.S. consul general in Ho Chi Minh City, Susan Burns, was present at the event, though U.S. ambassador Marc E. Knapper was not.

Approximately 13,000 individuals, comprising military personnel, militia members, veterans, and residents, participated in the procession. The designated path commenced along the primary boulevard towards the Independence Palace before diverging into urban streets and passing the U.S. Consulate.

A video of Chinese soldiers singing the famous song “As If Uncle Ho Were With Us on Victory Day” during practice was shared a lot online. This happened after China's leader, Xi Jinping, visited Vietnam earlier that month. His visit aimed to show China as a country that brings stability, which was very different from Trump.