Vietnam after 50 years of unification through the eyes of a French journalist

“Vietnam is a living proof that a small nation can defeat seemingly invincible forces and is firmly on the path to becoming an Asian economic powerhouse.”

That was the emotional and admiring comment of French journalist Alain Thomas when sharing his thoughts with VNA reporters in Brussels, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025).

For Alain Thomas, April 30, 1975, was not only a historical milestone but also “an iconic image,” the image of a tank crashing through the gates of the Independence Palace.

For him, that moment ended decades of domination by outside forces, from French colonialism to American imperialism, and marked the complete victory of a nation that had declared independence in 1945 under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh .

“It was a moment when the Vietnamese people decided their own political and economic destiny, no longer dependent on any foreign power,” said Mr. Alain.

The French journalist likened Vietnam's resistance to an Asian version of the David and Goliath legend, in which David - with only a small slingshot - defeated the invincible giant Goliath.

He emphasized: "The April 30 event was a victory of national will over the superior military and technological power of the United States."

Having been to Vietnam since the early 2000s and having returned to this S-shaped country many times, the French journalist said he was very impressed with the strong transformation of Vietnamese society. From a largely rural country, Vietnam has risen to become “one of the economic dragons of Asia.”

Mr. Alain emphasized the rise of the middle class in urban areas, with a marked improvement in living standards and a strong increase in domestic consumption demand, along with the booming real estate market.

He especially appreciated the Vietnamese tradition of valuing education, saying that "seriousness, diligence and discipline in studying and working are the potentials that help Vietnam rise in the era of global economy and digital society 4.0."

He also expressed "admiration" for the sustainable political and social stability over the past 50 years in Vietnam.

He commented: “There are no major fluctuations, no deep social conflicts, this is an important factor helping Vietnam confidently step into the future, especially in the volatile era of technology and globalization.”

Closing the conversation, the French journalist affirmed: "The Vietnamese are a nation that has defeated foreign powers and that spirit is still deeply engraved in the collective consciousness."

According to him, it is this mettle, solidarity and resilience that will continue to be the driving force to help Vietnam overcome upcoming challenges on its journey of development and global integration./.

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/viet-nam-sau-50-nam-thong-nhat-qua-goc-nhin-cua-mot-nha-bao-phap-post1027614.vnp