The Reunification Palace holds immense historical significance for Vietnam. On April 30, 1975, a Northern Army tank crashing through its gates became the defining moment that marked the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War. Today, two tanks stand on the palace grounds as a powerful reminder of this pivotal event.

A Firsthand Account of History

Among the many Western journalists present that day, none had a closer view of history in the making than British journalist and poet James Fenton, who managed to hitch a ride on the very tank that broke through the gates. His vivid account captures the intensity of the moment:

“The tank accelerated and rammed into the left side of the palace gate. Wrought iron flew into the air, but the gate held firm. I nearly lost my grip. The tank reversed, and I noticed a man with a nervous smile opening the central portion of the gate. We drove into the palace grounds and fired a salute. An NLF soldier grabbed the flag, waving it triumphantly as he sprinted inside. Moments later, he appeared on the terrace, swirling the flag high above his head. Soon after, he was on the roof. At last, the red and yellow stripes of the Saigon regime were lowered.”

A Moment of Surrender

Inside the palace, President Duong Van Minh, who had been sworn in just two days prior, prepared for his final act as leader. He addressed General Bui Tin of the Northern Army:

“I have been waiting since early this morning to transfer power to you.”

To which General Bui Tin famously replied:

“Your power has crumbled. You cannot give up what you do not have.”

A Defining Chapter in Vietnam’s History

The fall of Saigon marked the official reunification of Vietnam and the end of a decades-long conflict. Today, visitors to the Reunification Palace can walk through the very halls where history was made, explore its war rooms and underground bunkers, and witness firsthand the symbolic tanks that ended an era.