Reflecting on a Historic Departure: The American Exit from Vietnam

In a poignant reflection, journalist Damien Cave revisits significant structures in Ho Chi Minh City that played a role during the Vietnam War, detailing the chaos experienced during the American evacuation and the subsequent evolution of the city.

As the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War approaches, the memory of the American withdrawal remains vivid to many, especially to those who were witnesses of that historic moment. In Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, remnants of the past still linger amidst modern development. One notable building is the Pittman, a nine-story apartment structure known to have housed significant American personnel during the war.

On April 29, 1975, Nguyen Van Hiep watched from the Pittman’s adjacent building as American helicopters landed on the rooftop to evacuate personnel amid worsening chaos. “Everyone was fighting to get up there,” he recalls, highlighting the desperation of the moment as Vietnamese civilians sought escape onboard.

The image of that harrowing evacuation has become iconic, yet often misrepresented. In the confusion, a photograph captured by Hubert Van Es was mistakenly labeled as showing desperate evacuees from the U.S. Embassy, although it was taken from a lesser-known site half a mile away.

Today, these buildings stand as silent witnesses to the past, surrounded by a thriving metropolis. Their presence offers a stark contrast between the chaos of war and the resilient spirit of Vietnam’s continued growth and transformation in the five decades since the withdrawal.

The enduring story of Vietnam is etched into its architecture, as what once signified American presence and conflict has evolved alongside the nation’s progress, offering both a reminder of its complex history and a testament to its remarkable growth.