Saigon Liberation Day April 30, 1975 through the lens of a French reporter

Ngay giai phong Sai Gon 30/4/1975 qua ong kinh phong vien Phap

Liberation Army tanks stand guard outside the Independence Palace after the fall of the Saigon government, Saigon, April 30, 1975. Photo: Herve Gloaguen / Getty Images.

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The flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam is raised as a declaration of victory. Photo: Herve Gloaguen / Getty Images.

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The proud posture of soldiers on duty at a traffic junction in Saigon . Photo: Herve Gloaguen / Getty Images.

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Vietnam People's Army officers inside the Independence Palace. Photo: Herve Gloaguen / Getty Images.

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General Tran Van Tra – Deputy Commander of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign – speaks to domestic and foreign reporters at a press conference in Saigon on April 30, 1975. Photo: Herve Gloaguen / Getty Images.

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Soldiers on a tank outside the Independence Palace. Photo: Herve Gloaguen / Getty Images.

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Liberation fighters at a government headquarters of the old regime. Photo: Herve Gloaguen / Getty Images.

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A city commando in civilian clothes, holding an American rifle, stands guard outside Saigon University, now the representative office of the Ministry of Education and Training in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Herve Gloaguen / Getty Images.

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Some soldiers relax after the long battle has ended. Photo: Herve Gloaguen / Getty Images.

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A soldier chats with people on the streets of Saigon. Photo: Herve Gloaguen / Getty Images.

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A jeep carrying Provisional Revolutionary Government officials drives through the streets, announcing the liberation of Saigon. Photo: Herve Gloaguen / Getty Images.

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The joy of victory burst out after months of hardship. Photo: Herve Gloaguen / Getty Images.

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People from all walks of life march with National Front flags and large banners on the day of the liberation of Saigon. Photo: Herve Gloaguen / Getty Images.

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There was no distance between civilians and soldiers on that historic day in Saigon. Photo: Herve Gloaguen / Getty Images.

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A reporter takes a picture of a Liberation soldier driving a jeep with a National Front flag on Nguyen Hue Boulevard. Photo: Herve Gloaguen / Getty Images.