The highlight of the victory celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) recently was a parade of Vietcong and North Vietnamese military strength watched by members of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam.

Film taken by a Swedish camera team in the city during the past week has just been received.

Thousands of Vietcong and North Vietnamese troops rolled through Ho Chi Minh city on military vehicles on Thursday (15 May).

National Liberation Front Chairman Nguyen Huu Tho, main figurehead of the PRG, and Lieutenant-General Tran Van Tra, head of the military committee now governing the city, made speeches praising the revolution and the "unity of Vietnam and oneness of its people".

But there was no indication in the speeches that direct political reunification of North and South was at hand, though General Tra ended with the words: "Long live Vietnam, independence, liberty and unification of the nation."
There was another victory celebration, this time to mark the 85th birthday on May 19 of the late North Vietnamese leader, after whom the South Vietnamese capital is now named - Ho Chi Minh.

Even as celebrations continue some of the problems the new regime faces are becoming apparent. Crime in the streets is increasing following the release of all convicted criminals held in the city jail. Newsmen saw the body of a looter executed after trial by a "People's Court". The sign above the body read "looters will be shot dead like this person".