April 30 is annually known as Black April, or "Tháng Tư Đen," and is a day to lament and reflect upon the fall of Saigon and of South Vietnam, which took place April 30, 1975. As many as 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers and nearly 60,000 American soldiers died during the Vietnam War.

Approved through a resolution of the City Council in 2019, Westminster became the first city globally to recognize Black April Memorial Week in recognition of the Fall of South Vietnam to the North Vietnamese Communists. This is a special time for the residents of Westminster to remember the Vietnamese Communist take-over of South Vietnam, the countless lives lost during the Vietnam War and its tragic aftermath, and to continue the determination in advocating for a Vietnam that respects the human and civil rights of its own citizens.

Every year, the City will fly the South Vietnamese flag at half-staff at the Vietnamese-American War Memorial at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park from April 23 through April 30. A commemoration wreath will also be placed at the memorial site. 

2021 Virtual Black April Event

This year, for the safety and health of our community members, the City of Westminster will host a virtual Black April event.

Hear from city leaders and community members as they reflect upon the importance of Black April and honor the brave American and Vietnamese members of the armed forces who passed during the Vietnam War.

The event will be prerecorded and aired at 10:00 a.m. on the city's TV channel and can be streamed from the city's Facebook page and YouTube channels. You may also view below:

Messages from Elected Officials 

• Senator Tom Umberg, District 34

• Assemblywoman Janet Nguyen, District 72

• Supervisor Katrina Foley, District 2

• Congressman Alan Lowenthal, District 47

• Supervisor Andrew Do, District 1