April 30th 2015

30th April 2015 was the 40th anniversary since the Fall of Saigon, a time of celebration for some and a time of regret for many. The government set up elaborate grandstands and festoon lighting along Le Duan St, the route of the parade, howver the general public were not allowed to view it which didn't seem in the spirit of communism at all. But the crowds were there to see the motorbikes lead in the peloton of the annual cycling road race. April 30th was the 40th anniversary since the Fall of Saigon a day that for many is a time of great happiness and for many in the South of Vietnam, a time remembered for the purges and persecution. So it was mixed feelings when the folk of Saigon had their lives interrupted by grandstands and festive lighting along Le Duan St. Then on the day the event was only open to special guests and dignitaries, not the public which didn't seem in the spirit of my understanding of communism. The crowds flocked to the area after the parade to watch the motorbikes lead in the peloton of cyclists in the annual Hanoi to Saigon road race.

april 30 2015. Saigon40 Years of Communism19752015Le Duan StDistrict 1SaigonVietnamParadeMilitary Parade