Vietnam celebrates 50 years since war’s end with focus on peace and unity

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam on Wednesday celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of the war with the United States and the formation of its modern nation with a military parade and a focus on a peaceful future.

The fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975 marked the end of a Vietnam divided into the communist North and U.S.-allied South, and the country's top official told crowds the past decades had led to ever increasing unity.

“All the Vietnamese are the descendants of Vietnam. They have the rights to live and work, to have freedom to pursue happiness and love in this country," said To Lam, the Vietnam Communist Party's general secretary.

"In a spirit of closing the past, respecting differences, aiming for the future, the whole party, the people and the army vow to make Vietnam become a country of peace, unity, prosperity and development,” he added.

Thousands camped overnight on the streets of the former South Vietnamese capital, which was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after it fell to North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops, to get the best vantage point for the parade. Many lingered on the streets later in the afternoon and had picnics while waiting for drone and fireworks shows scheduled for the evening.

The red and yellow of Vietnam's national flag was everywhere in the city — fluttering from buildings, painted on the faces of eager teenagers and on the T-shirts of those who had traveled to the city from all over the country.

“Now it’s time for peace," said spectator Nguyen Thi Hue, a city resident. "Peace is the dream that everyone in the world wants.”

One float carried the mythical Lac bird, Vietnam’s emblem, another a portrait of Ho Chi Minh.

Chinese, Laotian and Cambodian troops marched behind Vietnamese army formations, including some wearing uniforms similar to what was worn by northern Vietnamese troops during the war. Helicopters carrying the national flag and jets flew over the parade near Independence Palace, where a North Vietnamese tank smashed through the gates on the final day of the war.

And all the while, the crowds soaked it in. They had gathered outside the barricades and at some street corners where giant screens had been set up. Those at home huddled over their television sets. Phones raised and eyes wide, they waved and cheered at the marching soldiers.

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

To Lam said beyond a victory over the U.S. and South Vietnam, the fall of Saigon was a “glorious landmark" that ended a 30-year fight for independence that began with the fight to oust French colonial troops.

He said Vietnam owes its position in the world today to support from the Soviet Union, China and solidarity from Laos and Cambodia, as well as “progressive” people all over the world including the U.S., he said.

The emphasis on reconciliation and not, like previous years, on military victory reflected how Vietnam was approaching the changing tides of the global economy and geopolitics today, said Nguyen Khac Giang, an analyst at Singapore’s ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute. He added that the Vietnam War remains central to how the Communist Party framed its legitimacy, not just as a military triumph but also as a symbol of national unity. But To Lam’s comments underlined that the reconciliation remains unfinished.

“The war still defines Vietnam’s unity, and its unresolved divides,” Giang said.

For Pham Ngoc Son, a veteran who fought for the communists, today there is “only space for peace and friendship” between the U.S. and Vietnam.

“The war is over a long time ago,” said the 69-year-old who, during the war, served as an army truck driver bringing troops and supplies from the north to the south along the Ho Chi Minh trail — the secret supply route used by North Vietnam.

This year also marks the 30-year anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the U.S.

In 2023, Vietnam upgraded its relations with the U.S. to that of a comprehensive strategic partner, the highest diplomatic status it gives to any country and the same level of relations as China and Russia.

There are new signs of strain in the relationship with Washington, however, with President Donald Trump's imposition of heavy tariffs and the cancellation of much foreign aid, which has affected war remediation efforts in Vietnam.

Vietnamese officials say the relationship with the U.S. is anchored in American efforts to address war legacies such as Agent Orange contamination and unexploded ordnance in the countryside that still threaten lives.

The future of those projects is now at risk because of the Trump administration’s broad cuts to USAID.

Moreover, the export-dependent country is vulnerable in a global economy made fragile amid Trump's tariff plans.

Vietnam was slammed with reciprocal tariffs of 46%, one of the highest. This puts a “big question mark” on what the U.S. wants to achieve in Asia, said Huong Le-Thu of the International Crisis Group think tank.

Previously, close ties with Washington have helped Vietnam balance its relations with its much larger and more powerful neighbor China, she said.

Vietnam is one of the countries, along with the Philippines, that has been involved in direct confrontations with China over conflicting maritime claims in the South China Sea.

Focus on economic and not strategic competition may mean that Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia become less important for the U.S.

“It really will be shaping up (on) how the new administration sees the strategic picture in the Indo-Pacific and where countries like Vietnam would fit in,” she said.

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce on Tuesday refused to comment on reports that the Trump administration had discouraged diplomats from attending anniversary events. “I’m not going to discuss what has been suggested or not suggested,” she said.

The Embassy in Hanoi said U.S. consul general in Ho Chi Minh City Susan Burns had attended the event. U.S. ambassador Marc E. Knapper didn't attend.

About 13,000 people, including troops, militias, veterans and local citizens took part in the parade. The route followed the main boulevard leading to the Independence Palace before branching into city streets and passed the U.S. Consulate.

A video of Chinese troops singing the iconic song “As If Uncle Ho Were With Us on Victory Day” during a rehearsal was shared widely on social media. Chinese leader Xi Jinping had visited Vietnam earlier in the month in a bid to present the country as a force for stability in contrast with Trump.

Hau Dinh in Ho Chi Minh City, and Matthew Lee in Washington, contributed to this report.

For more coverage of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War’s end, visit https://apnews.com/hub/vietnam-war.

A woman is photographed with a photo of the late wartime Vietnamese Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap as another person holds a photo of the late Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, left, after a parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

A Vietnamese military unit waves Vietnamese and hammer and sickle flags during a parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Vietnamese dancers perform during a parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

A float depicting a tank is carried in a parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Vietnamese performers participate during a parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Two Vietnamese women shop for fruit at a market in the Little Saigon neighborhood of Westminster, Calif., Friday, April 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Vietnamese female police officers march during a parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Chinese soldiers participate in a parade during the celebration for the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Women soldiers in North Vietnamese Army costumes march during a parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the war on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

A Vietnamese military unit marches past the grandstand during a parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

A woman walks after watching a parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Vietnamese female police officers march during a parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Vietnamese dancers perform during a parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

A Vietnamese women's medical unit marches during a military parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Vietnamese veteran soldiers take part in a parade during the 50th anniversary celebration of the end of the Vietnam War Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Vietnamese troops march during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Vietnamese troops march during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Vietnamese drummers perform during a parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Vietnamese participants gather prior to a parade during the 50th anniversary celebration of the end of the Vietnam War on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

A float carrying a portrait of the late Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh takes part in a parade during the 50th anniversary celebration of the end of the Vietnam War Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Vietnamese veterans take part in a parade during the 50th anniversary celebration of the end of the Vietnam War on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

A float with structure commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War is marched during a parade in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Vietnam War veterans on an open bus pass the Independence Palace during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Vietnamese troops march during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Vietnamese troops march during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Vietnamese troops march during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Vietnamese troops march during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Chinese troops march during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Vietnamese troops march during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Vietnamese troops march during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Vietnam War veterans on an open bus pass the Independence Palace during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

People walk in a street decorated for the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnamese War in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Tuesday, April 29, 2025.(AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

A man walks with a portrait of Vietnamese national hero Ho Chi Minh ahead of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnamese War in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Tuesday, April 29, 2025.(AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

A women hold Vietnam national flag ahead of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnamese War at a street in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

A Vietnamese barista pours a fresh cup of coffee at a street market in the Cholon district in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 ahead of national celebration of the 50th Anniversary of reunification and the end of the Vietnamese War. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

A baby girl sporting a heart with a yellow star takes in the festivities for the national celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of reunification and the end of the Vietnamese War, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

//A woman wears a conical hat decorated with Vietnamese flags to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in front of the Independence Palace in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Motorbikes drive along a street under Vietnamese flags in the Cholon district of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 ahead of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnamese War. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

A spice vendor waits for customers at the Cholon market in the Cholon district of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 ahead of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnamese War. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

TOKYO (AP) — Many of Tokyo's popular and iconic Somei Yoshino cherry blossom trees were planted during Japan's postwar advancement in the 1960s, and are now getting old and frail.

Some have fallen and many others require support, triggering safety concern as the Japanese celebrate the season of their favorite flower.

Two cherry blossom trees collapsed on Thursday, one at Kinuta Park in downtown Tokyo and the other at the Chidorigafuchi greenway. The one in Kinuta Park damaged a fence while the other tree almost fell into the Imperial Palace moat, though nobody was injured.

The tree in Kinuta Park was 18 meters (59 feet) tall and 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in diameter. It was among the oldest, believed to be more than 60 years old, officials said. In March, another old cherry tree collapsed at the park, injuring a passerby.

Last year, 85 trees fell in Tokyo parks, injuring three people, and many were cherry trees, according to Masakazu Noguchi, a Tokyo metropolitan official in charge of public parks.

People gather under the trees during the season of hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, and the collapse of trees has alarmed officials in Tokyo, the birthplace of the cherry blossom variety.

Tokyo assembly member Yutaka Kazama expressed concern on social media last month that“cherry blossom trees with their roots partially exposed or obviously rotten seem dangerous," calling for firm safety measures but without quickly resorting to tree felling.

Aging and erosion by internal fungus growth are among the main causes for the deterioration of the cherry blossom trees.

A tree doctor, Hiroyuki Wada, said heavy tilting, flowering on lower trunks and mushrooms growing at the bottom are signs to look for in order to avoid risk-prone trees. Risks increase when tree trunks retain water after rain, he said.

“Many trees in our daily lives were planted soon after the war and are now 70-80 years old and getting weaker," he said, adding that they are affected by extreme heat in the summer and an extensive dry season.

“I hope people think about the climate change through what's happening to the cherry blossom trees, which is very symbolic,” he said.

Following the March incidents, officials conducted tree health checks at Tokyo's main parks ahead of the cherry blossom viewing season.

At the Kinuta Park, officials have conducted preliminary inspections of more than 800 cherry trees. They chopped down a number of trees and posted warning signs near some trees but the tree that fell Thursday was without caution signs.

“At the moment, our measures are mostly temporary, not fundamental steps such as replanting,” Noguchi said. “We call on visitors to use caution because we cannot say it’s safe even after inspection.”

At the Inokashira Park, one of Tokyo’s most popular viewing spots, dozens of aging cherry blossom trees have been felled in recent years as part of a long-term replanting plan. Some people lamented on social media the empty spaces around a pond that used to be seamlessly encircled by flowering pink blossoms.

Cherry blossom viewers say the news of falling cherry trees is worrisome, but they didn't want to miss the short-lived fluffy pink blossoms.

“I'm a bit worried, but I guess it's OK if we stay away from tree trunks,” said Lisa Suzuki.

Another visitor Akira Kamiyashiki said he came with his daughter despite the safety concerns because rain is expected over the weekend. “Seeing the keep-off signs, I now feel safe,” he said.

Cherry blossoms, or “sakura,” are Japan’s favorite flower and usually reach their peak in late March to early April, just as the country celebrates the start of a new school and business year. Many Japanese enjoy walking or picnicking under the trees.

A fallen cherry trees is seen at the Inokashira Park, one of Tokyo’s most popular viewing spots, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Mari Yamaguchi)

People walk past an aging cherry blossom tree at the Inokashira Park, one of Tokyo’s most popular viewing spots, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Mari Yamaguchi)

An aging cherry blossom tree is seen at the Inokashira Park, one of Tokyo’s most popular viewing spots, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Mari Yamaguchi)

People sit down for a picnic outside a cordoned-off area set up to inspect the health of cherry blossom trees at Kinuta Park in Tokyo, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Mayuko Ono)

People sit down for a picnic outside a cordoned-off area set up to inspect the health of cherry blossom trees at Kinuta Park in Tokyo, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Mayuko Ono)

A damaged cherry blossom tree is seen after a nearby tree fell on it, at Kinuta Park in Tokyo, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Mayuko Ono)