The Vietnam War 40 years on - in pictures

The Fall of Saigon marked the end of the conflict

A US Marine, who was wounded in the head as he fought against the Viet Cong from inside an amphibious tank, is led to evacuation helicopter landing zone at Van Tuong, Vietnam on 19 August 1965

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.

On 30 April 1975 North Vietnamese troops marched on the country's capital Saigon, now known as Ho Chi Minh City, with President Duong Van Minh surrendering.

The Fall of Saigon brought an end to a long and bloody conflict lasting nearly decade and millions killed. As the city fell to the communist soldiers, there was a mass evacuation of US diplomats and soldiers.

Many people tried to flee from Vietnam in the evacuation helicopters at the US embassy.

Following the mass exodus of Americans, the country fell into poverty with around 70 per cent of Vietnam's population living below the poverty line.

Today its economy is thriving thanks to a change in political views that has opened up Vietnam.