The day of April 30, 1975 remains for ever a memorable moment in the contemporary history of Vietnam and in the hearts and minds of every Vietnamese today, a moment of national independence and freedom of the reunified Vietnam marching on the path toward the goal of a prosperous people, a powerful nation and an equitable, democratic and civilized society. On this occasion,Vietnam Pictorial has the pleasure to present the emotions in words and pictures of the armymen, reporter-photographers and cameramen, who had the honour and happiness to eye-witness the historic moments in the city of Saigon then – now Ho Chi Minh City.

Dinh Quang Thanh, former VNA reporter-photographer:
After more than a month travelling with the liberation armies all the way from the North to the South, on the early morning of April 30, 1975 , I joined the team of “task force” reporters in accompanying Division 304 on its march toward Saigon . As the Bien Hoa – Saigon motorway was engulfed in gunfire on the two roadsides, at Thi Nghe Bridge , I jumped down from the truck but could hardly take any photos at all because men and women on the two sides of the road were rushing to us and giving bouquets and presents. So, I hurried to my truck, racing toward the Independence Palace . Together with Tank Brigade 203 roaring on the Independence Palace, I, with my professional instinct, then took photos of all that was taking place during the brief moments : Tanks 390 and 843 blocking the entrance, the brass hats and men of the Saigon puppet army offering unconditional surrender, the members of the Saigon puppet administration presenting themselves on the first floor of the Palace … On the same day, having witnessed the last minutes of the Saigon regime, I mingled myself into the seething atmosphere of the Saigon people in celebration of national reunification. April 30, 1975 has been the happiest day in my journalist career.

Pham Viet Tung, Emeritus Artist – Director of Documentary Film Production:
Travelling with our film-making team and the armies for the liberation of Saigon were the young couple of To Uyen (a Hanoian girl) and Huynh Van Tieng (a southerner, then Vice President of Vietnam Journalists’ Association). They had just held their wedding ceremony, and now enjoyed their honeymoon on the car marching toward Saigon. Their fellow-travellers were sharing their joy as their happiness seemed to multiply with the grand happiness of the entire nation. Thirty years have elapsed and my film footages that I made then have revived in my memory each scene and each angle of filming the fateful events of April 30, 1975. I recall the big contrasts between the inside and the outside of the Independence Palace . It was terribly quiet and tranquil inside, but a quite different world outside: a festive atmosphere animated by the immense joy and exuberance of Saigonese.nbsp; On the streets, I was asked by people whether I had banknotes with pictures of Uncle Ho so that they could have a good look at him … For the moment, a boundless love and reminiscence surged in me for the Uncle and for so many othernbsp; people who had fallen for national independence and freedom.

I was wallowing in happiness during the day as I was among the millions who had the honour to witness the moments of highest glory of the entire nation …nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;

30 years have passed and the colours have faded on the 16-mm film shot by Pham Viet Tung, but the jubilant atmosphere and happy faces of the Saigonese on the Liberation Day can still be seen. nbsp; The symbol of victory. The Saigon puppet administration led by its President Duong Van Minh (first from right) surrendered unconditionally at the Independence Palace to the power of the South Vietnam Liberation Army. The Saigonese on the liberation day of Saigon and national reunification.