Vietnam: 50 Years On
The Vietnam War ended on April 29th 1975. In the west we know it as the Vietnam War but in Vietnam
they know it as the American War due to the fact that this was just the latest in a long history of military struggles. It was the first war to be viewed from armchairs all over the world, including Bob Lawrence’s armchair. Bob has spent his whole adult life working in broadcasting. He’s also had a lifetime’s interest in that particular conflict.
​“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. And then the camera went all over the place. The camera man had been hit. That was truly shocking and it’s stayed with me forever”.
It’s likely that this incident was the starting point of Bob Lawrence’s lifelong obsession with the Vietnam War. “In my early teens … my formative years … it was always on the news; radio and tv. I could understand ‘the troubles’ in Northern Ireland but Vietnam was never quite as clear to me. I kept hearing the phrase ‘fighting communism’ but my immature brain was never too sure what that meant. As I grew up I read more and more to the point where I have to admit, I am slightly obsessed”.
Fifty years after the war ended, Bob went to Vietnam with an audio recorder to see how the country has flourished under a communist regime and to make a radio programme. It was nothing like he expected.
He visited some of the sites he’d last seen on tv news
reports, including Khe Sanh airforce base … “I had a brother at Khe Sanh, fighting off the Viet Cong, they’re still there, he’s all gone”: Bruce Springsteen, Born In The USA.
Vietnam: 50 Years On is a three hour radio programme, crammed full of music, recording Bob’s journey from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Min City (Saigon) in the south, remembering the past but very much acknowledging the current. By mixing genuine news reports from the time with music from a diverse pool such as Johnny Cash, Pink, The Who, Chris Rea, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas … even Bing Crosby and The Police, Bob has recorded his thoughts and feelings and created a true “Must Listen” radio programme.
If you can set aside the time, settle down and listen to the whole programme by clicking the buttons below. The whole three hour show is available, split into three "broadcast hour" sections.
Vietnam 50 Years On - Part 1
Vietnam 50 Years On - Part 2
Vietnam 50 Years On - Part 3
