Vietnamese Gen Zers embrace shifting Vietnam War perspectives

Thousands of Vietnamese youths gathered in Ho Chi Minh City on April 30, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War. The event featured a vibrant military parade, cultural performances and aerial displays, all amplified through platforms like TikTok and Instagram, drawing young audiences with little direct connection to the war.

Officially ending on April 30, 1975, the Vietnam War has historically been portrayed in state-controlled media and educational curricula as a definitive victory over foreign intervention. Symbolized by North Vietnamese tanks breaching Saigon’s presidential palace gates, this narrative remained largely unchallenged domestically for decades.

However, recent government efforts signal an intent toward reconciliation by adjusting language associated with the anniversary. Historically divisive terms like “Liberation Day” have given way to more inclusive language such as “Reunification Day.” Analysts suggest Vietnam’s softened rhetoric aligns with a broader diplomatic strategy, strengthening economic partnerships through inclusive historical discourse.

Many Gen Z participants of this year’s celebrations have expressed openness toward the view that North Vietnam’s victory was justified — a perspective contrasting significantly with older generations.

“We are grateful for what the veterans did for us, for the country, pulling us out of war,” 17-year-old Hoang Ha Linh, who traveled from Hanoi to attend the parade, told AFP. “Even if we hate history lessons at school, we can learn so many things from this event that the teachers have tried again and again to tell us.”

Le Anh Dung, a 23-year-old graphic designer whose grandfather fought for North Vietnam, reflected on global conflicts, appreciating domestic peace. “I feel so lucky that I don’t have to endure the smell of gunpowder or crawl into a bunker once in a while, like previous generations did,” he told the Los Angeles Times.

Among overseas Vietnamese communities such as Little Saigon in Orange County, California, April 30 is still observed as “Black April,” a solemn day of mourning. Yet even there, younger Vietnamese Americans are increasingly seeking to understand and reconcile with their complex heritage.

Linda Nguyen, a business leader in Westminster whose parents were refugees, tells the AP, “I don’t really think about it in a negative light. For my generation, it’s about honoring what happened, but also celebrating our future and our current successes. The political theme that was once significant to our parents did not carry on to us. To us, Vietnam is Vietnam.”