Vietnam re-enacts fall of Saigon to mark war milestone

[Fade]

Vietnam re-enacts fall of Saigon to mark war milestone

Vietnam has marked 35 years since the end of its war by staging a re-enactment of the fall of the Saigon.

Thousands of troops marched through the streets of what is now officially called Ho Chi Minh City to mark the day the communist North claimed victory.

Vietnam's President Nguyen Minh Triet used the event to praise the country's economic development.

The Vietnam War claimed the lives of three million Vietnamese and some 60,000 US soldiers.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in front of the former presidential residence, now called Independence Palace, in Ho Chi Minh City, to watch the military and cultural display.

Article continued at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8654391.stm

Related thread (w/pics) courtesy of bd popeye (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/member.php?34720-bd-popeye) - Operation Frequent Wind (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?178595-29-April-1975-Operation-Frequent-Wind)

[Wildgoose]

What? They didn't ask Hanoi Jane to be Master of Ceremonies?! Major faux pas there!rofl

[Flecktarn92]

last time I checked the locals in "Ho Chi Minh City" stilled referred to it as Saigon. A good amount of the south still resent the communist rule

[diw]

On that note.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2010/04/30/captured-a-look-back-at-the-vietnam-war-on-the-35th-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-saigon-2/

Some of the most difficult to look at but useful images of war I have seen.

Best wishes.