Vo Nguyen Giap, the brilliant and ruthless self-taught general who drove the French out of Vietnam to free it from colonial rule and later forced the Americans to abandon their effort to save the country from communism, has died.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has praised Vietnam for its battle against “imperialism” and pledged to help the communist country develop its nascent oil and gas industry during a two-day state visit.

Preparations for the anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War wound up in a flurry of activity today in the former capital of South Vietnam, with red flags lining the broad boulevard where Communist tanks rolled into the city 30 years ago.

The head of Britain’s Army began a week long visit to Vietnam today as one of the highest-ranking British military officials to tour the communist country.