State lawmakers, community leaders, and veterans gathered in Capitol Park today to mark the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, a historic turning point that led to the end of the Vietnam War and triggered the mass exodus of Vietnamese refugees to the United States. The ceremony, held in solemn remembrance of Black April, honored the resilience of the Vietnamese-American community and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom.
The Vietnamese Freedom and Heritage Flag was raised above the Capitol Office Building in Sacramento for the first time, serving as a tribute to the lives lost and the generations that followed. The flag has become a powerful symbol of hope and democracy for the Vietnamese diaspora.
The Fall of Saigon occurred on April 30, 1975, when invading armies from Communist North Vietnamese captured the South Vietnamese capital, marking the collapse of the Republic of Vietnam. The event ended decades of war, but also triggered a humanitarian crisis as millions fled the country, many seeking refuge in the United States. California, particularly communities like Little Saigon in Westminster and San Jose, became a new home for many of those displaced.
Assemblyman Tri Ta (R–Westminster), lead author of Assembly Concurrent Resolution 6 commemorating the anniversary, thanked his colleagues and community for their support.
“April 30 marks a painful turning point as the day the Vietnamese people lost their homeland to communism,” said Ta. “But it also marks the beginning of a new journey. We are forever grateful to America for giving us the freedom to rebuild our lives and pursue the American Dream. The flag flying above the Capitol today is not only a tribute to our past, but a proud symbol of how far the Vietnamese-American community has come in contributing to this great nation.”
Assemblyman Ash Kalra (D–San Jose), who represents the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam, emphasized the importance of honoring the struggles of refugees.
“The 50th Anniversary of Black April is a solemn reminder of the immense challenges and sacrifices made by the millions of Vietnamese people who fled their homeland in search of freedom, safety, and dignity,” Kalra said. “I am deeply honored to represent their great courage, resilience, and unwavering strength.”
Senator Tony Strickland (R–Huntington Beach), whose district includes Little Saigon, echoed the day’s significance.
“Black April is a day of reflection and remembrance for the Vietnamese-American refugees who escaped the oppression of communism and aspired for a life of freedom and independence in the United States,” Strickland said. “Many of those who call Little Saigon home are my friends, neighbors, and small business owners who contribute to California’s economy and are the fabric of our society.”
Senator Dave Cortese (D–Santa Clara County), who represents one of the nation’s largest Vietnamese-American populations, highlighted the lasting impact of the flag raising.
“The first time the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag has flown outside the Capitol building is a powerful message to future generations that the thousands who sacrificed their lives so they could have the opportunity of freedom will never be forgotten,” Cortese said.
Today’s commemoration reaffirmed California’s recognition of Black April and the enduring legacy of the Vietnamese-American community in shaping the state’s cultural and economic landscape.
