ST. LOUIS – The Vietnam War ended 50 years ago Wednesday, marking the surrender of the South Vietnamese government to the North Vietnamese communists on April 30, 1975.

Two families who lived through the conflict and eventually escaped to St. Louis recently shared their stories of survival and resilience with FOX 2.

Sau Tran, a former soldier in the South Vietnamese Army, recalls the day of surrender as a time of confusion and despair, questioning why the army, which he believed was still strong, was ordered to disband.

“The army still strong ready to fight. I don’t know what happened in 1975,” said Sau Tran, reflecting on the sudden surrender.

Shirley Trang, who was a high school senior in Saigon, describes how her life changed overnight from comfort to scarcity, with even basic necessities like rice being rationed.

“The government from the communist seems like they took everything from south go to north,” said Shirley Trang, highlighting the drastic changes in her life.

The Tran and Trang families eventually escaped Vietnam, facing perilous journeys across the sea as part of the group known as “the boat people.”

Sau Tran described the harrowing escape, noting the lack of food, water, and a functioning engine on the boat. Shirley Trang recounted the loss of life among those who attempted to flee Vietnam, emphasizing the dangers they faced. After arriving in St. Louis, the families supported each other in building new lives. Shirley Trang’s husband, David, escaped first, followed by Shirley and their newborn daughter, Julie.

Shirley Trang now owns Trang Fashions, a successful clothing store, and her daughter Julie is a manager at FOX 2. Sau and Lee Tran also settled in St. Louis, where they opened Mai Lee, the city’s first Vietnamese restaurant, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025. Linda Tran, Sau’s daughter, expressed gratitude for her parents’ sacrifices, saying, “We are here because of our parents so it’s an honor to be here every day.”

The stories of the Tran and Trang families highlight the resilience and determination of those who fled Vietnam to build new lives in America. As Mai Lee Restaurant marks its 40th anniversary, the families reflect on their journey from hardship to success, celebrating their achievements and contributions to the St. Louis community.

All facts from this article were gathered by KTVI journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence.  It has been edited and approved by KTVI staff.