Key Events * Việt Nam Marks 50 Years Since War's End with Grand Celebrations and Calls for Unity * Worldwide
Saigon falls, the United States withdraws, and the country reunifies. For the next several decades, Vietnam will have to deal
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On April 30, 2025, Việt Nam commemorated the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War with elaborate celebrations in Hồ Chí Minh City, emphasizing national unity and reconciliation. The day, known as Reunification Day, marks the fall of Saigon in 1975 and the subsequent reunification of North and South Việt Nam.
The centerpiece of the celebrations was a grand military parade featuring over 13,000 participants, including troops from Việt Nam and allied countries such as China, Laos, and Cambodia. The parade showcased modern military equipment, with soldiers marching in precise formations and aerial displays by helicopters and fighter jets.
In his address, Communist Party General Secretary Tô Lâm hailed the event as a "victory of justice," highlighting Việt Nam's transformation from a war-torn nation to one of the world's fastest-growing economies. He emphasized the country's commitment to peace, prosperity, and international cooperation, acknowledging the support of allies during the war and extending a message of reconciliation to former adversaries.
The celebrations also reflected a shift in tone, focusing more on unity and healing rather than solely on military triumph. This approach aims to bridge historical divisions and foster a sense of national cohesion, both domestically and with the Vietnamese diaspora abroad.
However, the anniversary comes amid renewed tensions in U.S.-Việt Nam relations. Recent policy changes under the Trump administration, including the suspension of funding for humanitarian projects and the imposition of tariffs, have raised concerns about the future of bilateral ties. These developments have cast a shadow over decades of reconciliation efforts between the two nations.
On April 30, 2025, Vietnamese communities around the world solemnly observed the 50th anniversary of Black April, marking the fall of Saigon in 1975 and the end of the Vietnam War. This day remains a poignant reminder of loss, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the Vietnamese diaspora and those who continue to suffer injustices in Việt Nam.
In Westminster, California—home to the largest Vietnamese population outside Việt Nam—hundreds gathered at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park for the annual Black April ceremony. The event featured wreath-laying, traditional songs, and speeches honoring the sacrifices of South Vietnamese and American soldiers. Westminster, the first city globally to recognize Black April Memorial Week, flew the South Vietnamese flag at half-staff throughout the week.
Similar commemorations took place across the United States. In Boston, the Vietnamese community organized its largest-ever Black April event, featuring cultural performances and calls for a permanent memorial in Dorchester to honor the Vietnamese American experience. In Santa Clara County, California, the Vietnamese American Service Center hosted a series of events, including a special commemoration on April 30, reflecting on the community's journey from refugees to integral members of American society.
Beyond the U.S., Vietnamese diaspora communities in countries like Australia, Canada, and France held their own memorials, underscoring the global impact of the Vietnam War and the shared history of displacement and resilience.
For many, Black April is not only a day of mourning but also a time to educate younger generations about their heritage. Community leaders emphasized the importance of preserving history and honoring the sacrifices made for freedom. As one attendee in Westminster remarked, "We have to make sure that the story is told and is told correctly because if you don’t tell your stories, someone else will."
As the Vietnamese diaspora continues to thrive worldwide, the annual observance of Black April serves as a testament to their enduring strength, unity, and commitment to remembering the past while building a hopeful future.
On April 30, 2025, Congressman Derek Trần (D-CA), the first Vietnamese American to represent California's 45th District, delivered a poignant address in the U.S. House of Representatives to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, an event solemnly observed as "Black April" by the Vietnamese diaspora.
Standing alongside fellow lawmakers and community leaders, Rep. Trần reflected on the harrowing journey of Vietnamese refugees who fled the Communist regime in 1975. He paid tribute to those who perished seeking freedom and honored the sacrifices of both Republic of Vietnam and U.S. veterans who fought for democracy.
"Black April—or Tháng Tư Đen in Vietnamese—is not just a solemn day in history; it is a reminder of the day we lost everything—our homes, our livelihoods, and our beloved country," Trần stated. "We mourn not only those who fought for freedom but the countless innocent lives lost during the war and those who perished fleeing repression on boats."
To ensure the preservation of these narratives, Rep. Trần announced a collaborative initiative with the Library of Congress to archive the experiences and personal artifacts of Vietnamese refugees. This project aims to memorialize the perilous journeys undertaken and the resilience displayed by those who sought liberty.
Additionally, Trần introduced a bipartisan resolution to formally recognize April 30 as Black April, acknowledging the profound contributions of Vietnamese Americans to the United States and safeguarding the historical accounts of the Fall of Saigon.
"From the ashes of war, we have risen," Trần affirmed, highlighting the community's transformation from refugees to integral members of American society. "Their invaluable contributions can be seen in every corner of society, from the thousands of Vietnamese-owned businesses across the country to right here in Washington."
Representing a district that encompasses Little Saigon—the largest Vietnamese diaspora outside Vietnam—Rep. Trần's address resonated deeply, serving as both a remembrance of past sacrifices and a celebration of the enduring spirit and achievements of Vietnamese Americans over the past five decades.
Việt Nam remains among the world's most repressive countries for press freedom, ranking 174th out of 180 in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). This places Việt Nam just above North Korea (177th) and Afghanistan (178th), highlighting the country's highly controlled media landscape and limited space for independent journalism.
Despite a slight improvement from its 2023 ranking of 178th, Việt Nam's press freedom score declined from 24.58 to 22.31, indicating a worsening environment for journalists. RSF attributes this deterioration to the Vietnamese Communist Party's stringent control over traditional media and the frequent imprisonment of independent reporters and bloggers.
Việt Nam is currently the world's third-largest jailer of journalists, with 35 media workers behind bars. Notable cases include the arrest of prominent journalist and historian Trương Huy San, known by his pen name Huy Đức, who was detained for Facebook posts critical of the Communist Party leadership. Additionally, journalist Phạm Đoan Trang was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2021 for "anti-state propaganda" and remains incarcerated.
The Vietnamese government's crackdown extends to digital platforms, with strict internet controls and the enforcement of cybersecurity laws that require technology companies to store user data domestically and hand over information upon request. Authorities have also deployed a 10,000-member cyber unit, Force 47, to counter perceived anti-state narratives online.
RSF's 2024 report emphasizes that economic fragility is a leading threat to press freedom globally, with the average score of all assessed countries falling below 55 points for the first time. In Việt Nam, the combination of political repression, legal constraints, and economic pressures creates a challenging environment for journalists and media organizations striving for independence and transparency.
The international community continues to call for the Vietnamese government to uphold press freedom and release imprisoned journalists. However, without significant reforms, Việt Nam's media landscape will likely remain one of the most restricted in the world.
In a joint statement ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to take decisive action to safeguard journalists and uphold media freedom across the region.
The organizations highlighted escalating efforts by governments to intimidate reporters, control narratives, and manipulate information, posing significant threats to journalism and democracy. They urged ASEAN to actively engage in protecting press freedom and to reform repressive laws that criminalize journalism.
The statement emphasized the need for stronger protection mechanisms for reporters and the establishment of an inter-parliamentary alliance to safeguard media rights in the region.
This call to action comes amid a backdrop of increasing repression of press freedom in Southeast Asia, with journalists in the region facing imprisonment, harassment, and censorship. The CPJ and APHR stressed that protecting journalists is essential for the preservation of democratic values and the right to information.
As ASEAN continues to navigate complex political landscapes, the joint statement serves as a reminder of the critical role that a free and independent press plays in society. The organizations urged ASEAN member states to prioritize the protection of journalists and to commit to upholding press freedom as a fundamental human right.
TIME/One Free Press Coalition/May 1
“4. Pham Doan Trang (Vietnam)
Vietnamese author, journalist and activist Pham Doan Trang, 45, was arrested in 2020 and accused of ‘anti-state propaganda.’ She was held incommunicado for more than one year before her one-day trial and conviction in 2021, sentencing her to nine years in prison. For years prior to her arrest, she endured threats, police brutality, self-imposed exile and interrogations over her writings about democracy, freedom of expression, human rights, environmental degradation and women’s empowerment. Her work had appeared in Luật Khoa legal magazine which she founded, independent English-language website The Vietnamese, state media, and exile-run blog Danlambao. Former PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said in 2024, ‘She has sacrificed her health and freedom in the pursuit of justice.’”
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