Scholars, activists, and the public still argue about the Vietnam War, including over American motivations to intervene, the viability of the South Vietnamese government, and if the U.S. lost the war or gave up its objectives due to domestic pressure.

Vietnam has celebrated the end of the war with the United States and the formation of its modern nation 50 years ago with a military parade and a focus on a future of peace.

Celebrations come as Donald Trump’s tariffs threaten to strain progress made in US-Vietnam relations in recent years