HAI DUONG, April 29 — When they crashed through the gates of Saigon’s presidential palace to end Vietnam’s war, the young crew of communist Tank 390 shaped the course of history — but 50 years on they are modest about their role in a pivotal chapter of the Cold War.

After years of fighting that ended on April 30, 1975, the United States and Vietnam have rebuilt ties to become strong trade partners, although relations now stand at a rocky juncture in the wake of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and foreign aid cuts that could jeopardise war legacy programmes.