Bangkok – The Vietnamese government says it expects an important American presence when it marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on April 30, despite information on the media that the Trump administration told diplomats to stay away from events.
Ceremonies in Ho Chi Minh Ville will be assisted by “the delegations led by high-level leaders, political parties, international organizations, peace movements and anti-war movements, including those of the United States”, according to the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Pham Thu Hang.
The New York Times Cited four anonymous American officials saying that the Trump administration “recently directed senior diplomats – including the American ambassador of Vietnam Ambassador Marc Knapper – to stay away from birthday -related activities on April 30”.
Veterans were also informed that they would have no official help to organize birthday events, said the newspaper.
Noting that the ministry had not specifically verified the content of the New York Times Report, Hang told a regular press briefing Thursday that surrender of the South 50 years ago in the city, then called Saigon, is of deep importance for Vietnam and the United States
“Vietnam’s victory on April 30, 1975 is a victory for human conscience and justice, which ended losses and suffering, not only for the inhabitants of Vietnam, but also to countless American families,” said state media.
Some US officials have said New York Times This Trump may not want the officials to attend an event on the same day as his 100th day in power, in particular an American defeat.
Radio Free Asia contacted the American State Department to ask questions about the newspaper’s complaints but had not received an answer at the time of publication.
Hang stressed that relations with Vietnam-US have been at the highest strategic partnerships since 2023 and the events of next week aim to celebrate a spirit of cooperation.
“The anniversary of April 30 is an opportunity to honor the values of benevolence, peace, reconciliation and the mind to put the past and endeavor to the future,” said the spokesman for the ministry.
The report occurs in the midst of growing uncertainty in American-Vietnamese relations. Vietnam was affected by a 46% steep rate on its exports to the United States, constituting a serious threat to its export focused industrialization.
This decision was welcomed by Hanoi, where Prime Minister Pham Minh Chineh said that he “did not reflect the strong bilateral relations between the two nations”.
Officials of two countries are said to be in talks for a potential trade agreement, which should lead to a drop in the rate rate, although the extent of the adjustment remains uncertain.
Edited by Tajun Kang and Stephen Wright.