Vietnam - 50th Anniversary of the End of the War
These are photos I took on and leading up to 30 April 1975, now known as Reunification Day, when the North Vietnamese troops swept into Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), ending the war. I was based in Saigon representing an international child welfare organisation.
The photos are roughly in chronological order starting with the period a few weeks before 30 April when the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) were advancing rapidly southwards towards Saigon.
The photos are roughly in chronological order starting with the period a few weeks before 30 April when the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) were advancing rapidly southwards towards Saigon.
Children in displaced persons camp north of Saigon
Displaced persons camp north of Saigon
Displaced persons camp north of Saigon
South Vietnamese soldiers making announcements to displaced persons
Displaced families
Displaced persons camp north of Saigon
Road blocks on the bridge leading into Saigon
Majestic Hotel Saigon damaged by rocket
Damaged top floor of the Majestic Hotel (with Sandy Gall of ITN)
Top floor of the Majestic Hotel damaged by rocket
Distant explosions seen from Saigon
The US PX supermarket deserted just before the arrival of NVA troops
Ships preparing to leave on the Saigon River
People fleeing on ships in the Saigon River
Boarding ships in the Saigon River to flee the advancing NVA
After the last ships left
Weapons discarded in the street by the South Vietnamese army
Discarded clothes from the South Vietnamese army
Uniforms left by S Vietnamese soldiers
NVA tank
Tank in front of the Majestic Hotel
Arriving in downtown Saigon
NVA Tank by the presidential palace
NVA tank arriving in Tu Do street
Soldier outside the Majestic Hotel
NVA soldiers arriving
Child soldiers arriving in Saigon
NVA tank arriving
Meeting the locals
Having a break
NVA soldier with Majestic Hotel staff
NVA arriving in downtown Saigon
Meeting NVA soldiers
Tank parked by the Saigon River
Tank in front of the Majestic Hotel
North Vietnamese Army troops resting near the presidential palace in Saigon
NVA tank on Saigon River front
Tank near the Presidential Palace
Family out to see the new arrivals
New best friend
NVA soldiers near the Presidential Palace
NVA soldiers arriving
NVA arriving by the Majestic Hotel
Showing off the equipment
NVA soldiers on the roof of the Majestic Hotel
Raising the new flag on the Majestic Hotel
NVA soldier in Saigon market
