Community radio stations across the UK are being offered a three-hour programme, Vietnam: 50 Years On, to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on April 29th.
The special broadcast, created by broadcaster Bob Lawrence, is available free of charge and promises a unique mix of music, history, and personal reflections.
Lawrence, who has spent his entire career in broadcasting — including community radio — has long been fascinated by the Vietnam War. Armed with an audio recorder, he traveled from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) to explore the war’s legacy.
“I have a very clear memory of watching the black-and-white TV news and seeing a crouched-down reporter talking to camera as explosions were going off around him,” Lawrence recalls. “Then the camera went all over the place. The cameraman had been hit. That was truly shocking and has stayed with me forever.”
The programme blends historical audio clips, firsthand observations, and a diverse soundtrack featuring artists such as Johnny Cash, The Who, Chris Rea, and Martha Reeves & The Vandellas. Songs like Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA are used to evoke the era and its impact.
Vietnam was a constant presence in UK media during the late 1960s, sparking major anti-war demonstrations, including those in London’s Grosvenor Square. A Guardian report from 1968 described the intense clashes between police and protesters, highlighting the war’s divisive effect on public opinion. Lawrence’s programme revisits these events while also exploring Vietnam’s modern landscape.
“I’d like to think that this programme will enhance evening or weekend programming,” he says.
Stations interested in airing Vietnam: 50 Years On can access more information here.
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