US veterans and Vietnamese people have met for dialogue in Ho Chi Minh City, historically known as Saigon, ahead of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
Wednesday marks 50 years since the end of the war, which is said to have killed some 3 million people.
The war was a fierce battle between North Vietnam, backed by the then Soviet Union and China, and South Vietnam, supported by the United States and its allies. Washington feared the spread of communism during the Cold War.
The war ended on April 30, 1975, when Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam at the time, fell to North Vietnam.
US veterans visited the city on Tuesday and took part in a gathering organized by Japanese film director Sakata Masako, who is known for works focused on the Vietnam War.
A woman who was on the North Vietnamese side during the war explained that many people are still suffering health problems caused by the defoliant Agent Orange sprayed by the US military.
In response, one of the US veterans said they caused great suffering to Vietnamese people, and another explained that many US soldiers also struggled with trauma after returning home from the war.
After the event, a US veteran spoke about how wonderful it was to truly understand one another and said there is a commitment to try to never let a similar tragedy happen again.
A ceremony is set to be held in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday. Vietnamese government officials and representatives from other nations will take part. A parade involving military personnel is also planned.
Wednesday marks 50 years since the end of the war, which is said to have killed some 3 million people.
The war was a fierce battle between North Vietnam, backed by the then Soviet Union and China, and South Vietnam, supported by the United States and its allies. Washington feared the spread of communism during the Cold War.
The war ended on April 30, 1975, when Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam at the time, fell to North Vietnam.
US veterans visited the city on Tuesday and took part in a gathering organized by Japanese film director Sakata Masako, who is known for works focused on the Vietnam War.
A woman who was on the North Vietnamese side during the war explained that many people are still suffering health problems caused by the defoliant Agent Orange sprayed by the US military.
In response, one of the US veterans said they caused great suffering to Vietnamese people, and another explained that many US soldiers also struggled with trauma after returning home from the war.
After the event, a US veteran spoke about how wonderful it was to truly understand one another and said there is a commitment to try to never let a similar tragedy happen again.
A ceremony is set to be held in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday. Vietnamese government officials and representatives from other nations will take part. A parade involving military personnel is also planned.
Similar Readings (5 items)
50 years after end of Vietnam War, My Lai Massacre remembered
Trump's foreign aid pause suspends removal of US-dropped bombs in Vietnam, Laos
Manila remembers Filipino victims of 1945 US-Japan battle
NYT: US officials told to avoid Vietnam War events
Cambodia marks 50th anniversary of Khmer Rouge genocide
Summary
50th anniversary of the Vietnam War: US veterans and Vietnamese people meet in Ho Chi Minh City for dialogue. War, lasting from 1955-1975, resulted in an estimated 3 million deaths, with North Vietnam backed by Soviet Union and China, South Vietnam supported by U.S. and allies during the Cold War.
Statistics
269
Words1
Read CountDetails
ID: bd48e575-244a-4285-a5ef-f9ffe8dc4d99
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250430_02/
Date: April 30, 2025
Created: 2025/04/30 07:00
Updated: 2025/12/08 04:31
Last Read: 2025/04/30 09:42