Hue celebrates communist victory
HUE, Vietnam -- The ancient Vietnamese capital of Hue celebrated Sunday its capture by the North Vietnamese army 25 years ago.
Veterans of the war, some in their seventies, watched parades, gymnastics exhibitions and other events which started at dawn.
Hue was taken by the North Vietnamese on March 30, 1975, in a battle that spelled the end for the South Vietnamese army.
The city had also been capture in 1968 but was retaken by the South Vietnamese army and United States marines.
The city was decorated with red banners and the red flag was raised over the ancient imperial citadel. A huge portrait of Ho Chi Minh, the leader of North Vietnam during war, was mounted high in the To Do (Freedom) Stadium where the speeches and festivities were centered.
The occasion gave many veterans the chance to meet old war buddies and to remember the heavy fighting around Hue.
Many residents, though, felt no reason to celebrate. Some had seen family members killed in retribution against those who had resisted the North Vietnamese invasion.
The city, which served as Vietnam's imperial capital for centuries, is also preparing for the Hue 2000 cultural festival.
Many hope the festival will further improve Hue's growing tourism industry which witnessed 500,000 tourists in 1999.
About 12,000 people actively participated in the ceremonies with many dressed in traditional festive attire and others waving thousands of pictures of Ho Chi Minh.
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