Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. VOA Staff Recounts Drama When Saigon Fell 35 Years Ago It was 35 years ago that the American presence in Vietnam came to an end with a helicopter airlift from the roof of the U.S. embassy in Saigon. Wayne Corey, Steve Thompson and Pham Tran, affectionately known by his initials P.T., were VOA correspondents in Saigon in those days. Wayne, since retired and P.T., who's still working with us, spoke with VOA's Neil Currie. Neil Currie | Washington 28 April 2010 North Vietnamese tank rolls through gate of Presidential Palace in Saigon, signifying the fall of South Vietnam, 30 Apr 1975 Photo: AP North Vietnamese tank rolls through gate of Presidential Palace in Saigon, signifying the fall of South Vietnam, 30 Apr 1975 Listen to entire interview with Wayne Corey and Pham Tran Former VOA correspondents Steve Thompson (left) and Wayne Corey in Saigon during the Vietnam War Former VOA correspondents Steve Thompson (left) and Wayne Corey in Saigon during the Vietnam War Former VOA correspondent Wayne Corey says he was fatalistic when North Vietnam overran Saigon and he found himself still in the city waiting to be evacuated. He and VOA's Steve Thompson did not know when they would be able to leave. Pham Tran Pham Tran In the interview, Pham Tran describes the panic many felt in those last hours as North Vietnamese troops entered the city. He recounts that in those hours the staff of the VOA bureau and their families had to stay in one place because they could not get to the VOA office. He describes how they waited in vain for a helicopter that was supposed to evacuate them. Wayne Corey Wayne Corey Corey and Tran also describe their feelings about Vietnam today and whether they would like to return. .