The Trump administration has softened its stance by permitting the U.S. Consul General Susan Burns to attend a reception for the anniversary in Ho Chi Minh City. Her presence marked a departure from previous restrictions that prevented senior U.S. diplomats from participating in such events. While veterans welcomed the move, many remain critical, arguing that the overall approach to postwar relations with Vietnam is inadequate. Critics, including John Terzano of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, expressed concern that the U.S. government is missing the bigger picture regarding reconciliation with Vietnam, which is now a vital partner in counterbalancing China’s influence in the region.

Though Burns attended the reception, U.S. Ambassador Marc E. Knapper, the son of a Vietnam veteran, was not present and is not expected to attend the main anniversary event, which includes a parade and speeches commemorating the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. This situation continues to highlight the complexities of U.S.-Vietnam relations five decades after the conflict's conclusion.