Sweden hands over historic Reunification Day documentary to Vietnam

The film, ‘Victory Vietnam,’ directed by Swedish filmmaker Bo Öhlén, captures scenes of celebration and solidarity in Stockholm on April 30, 1975, the day Saigon (the old name of Ho Chi Minh City) was liberated, ending the American War in Vietnam.

It shows Swedish citizens marching, singing peace songs, and expressing support for the National Liberation Front.

The handover ceremony in Hanoi was organized on Friday by the Swedish Embassy in cooperation with Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The event was attended by government officials, cultural figures, and historians.

Öhlén joined remotely to share his reflections.

“This documentary reflects the deep friendship that Sweden and Vietnam have shared during important moments of history,” Swedish Ambassador Johan Ndisi said.

“Through the lens of this film, we see not only Vietnam’s courage and resilience but also the enduring human values of peace and unity that connect us all.”

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Dang Van Dong called the film “an important documentary” that preserves the memory of Sweden’s support for Vietnam during a defining chapter in its history.

Le Thi Ha, director of the Vietnam Film Institute, described the film as a “valuable historical record and a profound symbol of international solidarity.”

Öhlén, who filmed ‘Victory Vietnam’ in 1975, said he aimed to document not only the events of that day but the emotional response and strong support from the Swedish public.

The documentary is now part of Vietnam’s national archive and will be preserved as a cultural asset.

Sweden and Vietnam have a longstanding partnership in film preservation.

In the 1980s, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) supported the construction of climate-controlled film storage facilities in Hanoi and facilitated the transfer of Vietnamese film collections from Sweden back to Vietnam.

The collaboration expanded under the “Institution Meets Institution” initiative, with workshops and exchanges between Swedish and Vietnamese cultural institutions.