Pittman Building – 22 Gia Long Street (now 22 Ly Tu Trong Street)
Before 1975, this building served as the residence for staff of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Saigon. It was one of 13 evacuation sites used by Americans during the "Frequent Wind" helicopter operation.
After 50 years, the building retains its original architecture and is located at 22 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1.
The photo was taken on April 29, 1975, before the Liberation forces took control of Saigon. The spot where the helicopter once landed for Americans scrambling aboard is now the building's rooftop, above the elevator shaft. Photos by Hubert van Es/UPI (then) and Phung Tien (now).
Rach Chiec Bridge
Located approximately 10 km east of central Ho Chi Minh City, Rach Chiec Bridge connects the city with the southeast, Central Highlands, and central regions.
From April 27 to 30, 1975, fierce battles took place there between Liberation special forces and Republic of Vietnam troops. After repeated assaults, Liberation forces successfully secured the bridge by the morning of April 30, 1975, paving the way for the main army to enter the city center. Fifty-two soldiers sacrificed their lives here just before the country's unification.
Today, the original bridge has been replaced with a concrete structure featuring three separate branches and 10 traffic lanes. In 2015, a park and memorial for the 52 soldiers of Battalion 81, Brigade 316, and two Z22 and Z23 special forces units, who died during the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, was inaugurated at the bridge’s base.
Rach Chiec Bridge. Archived photo (then) and photo by Phung Tien (now)
Tan Cang Bridge (now Saigon Bridge)
Situated at the northeast gateway of Ho Chi Minh City, Tan Cang Bridge was the final Republic of Vietnam resistance point that Liberation forces had to overcome before entering the city center on April 30, 1975.
After 1975, it was renamed Saigon Bridge. In 2012, Saigon Bridge 2 was constructed parallel to the original as part of the Hanoi Highway expansion project to alleviate traffic pressure in the eastern part of the city.
Saigon Bridge. Archive photo (then) and photo by Phung Tien (now)
Tan Son Nhat Airport
Tan Son Nhat Airport was a key Republic of Vietnam stronghold and a primary target for Liberation forces during the Ho Chi Minh Campaign on April 30, 1975.
After unification, it became the main international airport in southern Vietnam. Today, it ranks among the country’s three largest international gateways, alongside Noi Bai in Hanoi and Da Nang, though it frequently faces overcrowding.
In 2025, the airport expanded with the addition of domestic terminal T3 to meet growing travel demand.
Tan Son Nhat Airport. Photos by VNA/AFP (then) and Phung Tien (now).
U.S. Embassy
The rooftop of the U.S. Embassy was one of two primary helicopter takeoff points during the emergency operation "Frequent Wind", from the afternoon of April 29, 1975, to the morning of April 30, 1975, involving 81 helicopters and 1,000 Marines.
In 1995, Vietnam and the U.S. normalized relations. Four years later, the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City was built on the former embassy site, replacing the demolished original building.
Relations have since been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The U.S. Embassy in a photo courtesy of the War Remnants Museum (then) and the U.S. Consulate General in a photo by Phung Tien (now).
Lang Cha Ca Roundabout – Bay Hien Cross
During the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, the Lang Cha Ca – Bay Hien intersection was a key attack route for Liberation forces targeting Tan Son Nhat Airport and the Republic of Vietnam General Staff, the commanding organization.
The clash on the morning of April 30, 1975, resulted in nine Liberation tanks and armored vehicles being destroyed, with 25 soldiers killed.
After 50 years, the Bay Hien intersection in Tan Binh District has become a vital junction connecting four major roads: Cach Mang Thang Tam, Truong Chinh, Hoang Van Thu and Ly Thuong Kiet.
Photos by Corbis (then) and Thanh Tung (now).
Independence Palace
Before 1975, Independence Palace was the residence and workplace of the Republic of Vietnam President. On April 30, 1975, as Saigon fell, Liberation forces breached the palace gates, marking the collapse of the Republic of Vietnam regime.
After the war it was renamed Reunification Hall and recognized as a special national historical site in 1976.
Photos by Borries Gallasch, preserved at Reunification Hall (then) and Phung Tien (now).
Caravelle Hotel
Opened in 1959, the Caravelle Hotel housed several embassies and press offices during the war. Its balcony and rooftop were popular spots for journalists to observe the conflict.
After 1975, it was renamed Independence Hotel, reverting to its original name after over 20 years. In 1997, it was upgraded with a connected 24-story tower.
Photos courtesy of hotel archives (then) and Phung Tien (now).
Lam Son Square
Once the heart of Saigon, Lam Son Square featured key structures like the Republic of Vietnam National Assembly building (now Ho Chi Minh City Opera House).
Today, the area remains largely unchanged and is a popular tourist destination due to its central location, architectural beauty, and historical significance, with easy access to landmarks like Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Independence Palace, and the City Post Office.
Liberation Front fighters sat before the Republic of Vietnam National Assembly on April 30, 1975. Photos by AFP (then) and Phung Tien (now).
Majestic Hotel
Built in 1925, the Majestic Hotel sits at the corner of Dong Khoi and Ton Duc Thang Streets in District 1, overlooking the Saigon River. In April 1975, it was hit by artillery and later restored in a European Renaissance style.
In 2007, it was certified as a five-star hotel by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. It has hosted notable figures, including French President Mitterrand, Japanese Prince Akishino, and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Liberation soldiers sang and played music in front of Majestic Hotel on the afternoon of April 30, 1975. Its architecture remains preserved. Photos by UPI (then) and Phung Tien (now).
Tu Do Street (now Dong Khoi Street)
After 1975, Tu Do Street was renamed Dong Khoi Street, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s oldest roads with over 150 years of history.
It now features luxury hotels, and its rental rates rank among the world’s top 15 most expensive retail streets.
Liberation vehicles rolled down Tu Do Street into the city center on April 30, 1975. Photos by AFP/Pham Khac (then) and Phung Tien (now).
Nguyen Hoang Street (now Tran Phu Street)
Nguyen Hoang Street, post-1975, became Ttran Phu Street (District 5), now known for its vibrant art market.
A Republic of Vietnam plane crashed on the street during the war’s final days, captured in a photo from May 1975. Photos by AFP (then) and Phung Tien (now).
Prime Minister’s Office
The Republic of Vietnam Minister’s Office, located on Thong Nhat Street (now Le Duan Street) hosted a meeting of Duong Van Minh’s cabinet on the morning of April 30, 1975, where they recorded a unilateral ceasefire declaration.
After 50 years, the building’s architecture remains largely intact and is now used as a government office.
Archived photo (then) and photo by Phung Tien (now).
Voice of Ho Chi Minh City
The building, used to be known as Saigon Radio, was where Republic of Vietnam President Duong Van Minh recorded his unconditional surrender announcement on the afternoon of April 30, 1975, following the fall of Independence Palace, marking the end of the 30-year war and the country’s unification.
After 1975, Saigon Radio was renamed Voice of Ho Chi Minh City. The room where the declaration was read is preserved as a historical site.
Photos by Vietnam News Agency (then) and Phung Tien (now).
Phung Tien, May Trinh, Khanh Hoang, Thanh Ha
