The fall of South Vietnam and Its Effect
The Vietnam War is a significant chapter in World History where the independence movement is driven by Ho Chi Minh, the communist leader, resulting in a two-decade-long war (1955-75). The war was fought between the communists of North Vietnam under the guidance of China and the Soviet Union and South Vietnam with the support of the USA.
The last American troop left this country on 29th March 1973 resulting in the fall of South Vietnam. This era is termed as the post-war war between both sides violating the peace protocols. In this article, we discuss the fall of Saigon, the largest city in South Vietnam.
Saigon: The Largest City of South Vietnam
Saigon was the capital city of the French Colonials entering this country back in 1862 and remained there till 1954. It was the hub of the French Protectorate from 1862 to 1954 and became the capital of South Vietnam from 1945 till 1975. It had always been the focal point of disputes when the movements of Vietnam’s independence broke out in the entire country.
The division of North and South Vietnam based on the ideologies and backing from the big neighboring countries resulted in a huge long-drawn war for two decades. After the revelations of the Watergate Scandals, President Nixon’s position in US politics was compromised. He lost his influence on the war and could not make a move.
On the other hand, Congress passed a diction that says that any US military operation in Indochina will be prohibited after 15th August in the same year. The party also took a step further and overshadowed Nixon’s veto by passing a law named the War Powers Act. It stated that the deployment of US military troops in other countries will be followed by a discussion with Congress.
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What did Cause the fall of South Vietnam?
After the law was passed, a pattern in the development of hostilities was observed. Unhindered warfare occurred in the undefined border of North and South Vietnam even though there are low levels of combat witnessed. The communists in North Vietnam and the government of South Vietnam clashed more frequently. It resulted in a huge loss of innocent lives and the destruction of public properties.
Nixon resigned with utter disgrace due to the Watergate revelations in 1974. Congress has already overpowered Nixon’s capabilities and has removed 30% of their economic and military aid from South Vietnam. This resulted in the slow but steady fall of Saigon.
There was a huge rise in apathy, unemployment, and corruption among the population due to the incapability of Thieu’s Government. The military personnel were also leaving grounds resulting in the weakness of the military power. The Hanoi leaders, on the other hand, were marching in after capturing Phuoc Long easily. It is the northeastern region of Saigon after a two-month standoff from December 1974 to January 1975.
In March 1975, the fall of Saigon was sealed when the North Vietnamese initiated the first phase of offense. It went for two years straight in South Vietnam. The army of Thieu’s government collapsed within two months. ARVN troops retreated in utter disorder from Hue, Da Nang, and the central highlands.
The then US President was Gerald R Ford, who succeeded Nixon. He pleaded to Congress regarding sending more troops, financial aid, and military support to South Vietnam but nobody listened to him as the members did not want to prolong the war. Thieu resigned on 21st April 1975 and fled to Taiwan. On 30th April, everything that is left in the government collapsed.
The NVA troops occupied Saigon without breaking a sweat. The rest of the American soldiers escaped the ground amidst utter discord and non-coordinated evacuation through air and sea routes along with their Vietnamese coworkers and friends to avoid torture and killing.
Hence, the fall of Saigon date is 30th April 1975. A government was established there officially on 2nd July 1976. Both parts of the country were then officially reunited and were coined as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The new capital of the country was Hanoi. Saigon was then renamed Ho Chi Minh City.
The capture of South Vietnam ended the 30 years-long struggle for power. The French colonials have already left the country but the division between the existing people caused so much tension and bloodshed. Casualties of the Vietnam War still remain uncountable. People, Families, and even villages were wiped out by the bigger armies of the Soviet Union, China, and the USA. All the superpowers of the contemporary never backed down to show their military strength.
The end of Vietnam War 1973 showed the world how power-hungry diplomats can do. President Nixon’s sudden resignation due to the Watergate Scandal led to a drastic change in the scenario. South Vietnam suddenly lost its support and succumbed to the might of North Vietnam backed by the Soviet Union and China. The war ended and the country started building its future on the ashes. These are the Vietnam war causes facts and impact of Saigon’s fall.
FAQs on The fall of South Vietnam
1. What were the main causes of the fall of South Vietnam?
The fall of South Vietnam was caused by a combination of factors. The primary reasons include the withdrawal of American troops following the Paris Peace Accords of 1973, a subsequent and severe cut in U.S. military and economic aid, and widespread internal issues within South Vietnam such as deep-rooted government corruption and poor military leadership. Concurrently, North Vietnam continued to receive strong support from the Soviet Union and China, creating a decisive power imbalance.
2. What were the final military events that led to the fall of Saigon?
The final military push was the 1975 Spring Offensive, also known as the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, launched by North Vietnam. This offensive saw the rapid collapse of the South Vietnamese army (ARVN). Key cities like Hue and Da Nang fell in March 1975 with little resistance. By late April, North Vietnamese forces had completely encircled Saigon. The war ended on April 30, 1975, when North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates of the Presidential Palace in Saigon, forcing an unconditional surrender.
3. What happened to Vietnam immediately after the fall of Saigon?
Following the surrender of Saigon on April 30, 1975, a provisional revolutionary government was established. On July 2, 1976, North and South Vietnam were officially reunified to create a single nation, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The city of Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in honour of the late North Vietnamese leader, and Hanoi became the capital of the newly unified country.
4. Why was the South Vietnamese army (ARVN) unable to defend the country without U.S. support?
The Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) was critically dependent on U.S. aid for supplies, logistics, and air support. Its core weaknesses included:
Rampant Corruption: Ghost soldiers on payrolls and the selling of supplies weakened its operational capacity.
Poor Leadership: High-ranking officers were often appointed based on political loyalty rather than military skill, leading to flawed strategies.
Low Morale: After the U.S. withdrawal and aid cuts, the morale of soldiers and the general population plummeted, reducing their will to fight.
5. What was the importance of the Paris Peace Accords in the eventual collapse of South Vietnam?
The Paris Peace Accords of 1973 were fundamentally important because they formalized the complete withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Vietnam. While the Accords called for a ceasefire, they crucially allowed hundreds of thousands of North Vietnamese troops to remain stationed in South Vietnamese territory. This created a significant strategic imbalance. Once the U.S. military presence was gone, South Vietnam was left vulnerable and without its most powerful military protector, paving the way for the final North Vietnamese offensive two years later.
6. How did the U.S. Watergate scandal affect the fall of South Vietnam?
The Watergate scandal had a direct and critical impact. It led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974, who was a strong supporter of South Vietnam. His departure empowered a U.S. Congress that was largely anti-war. This new political climate resulted in Congress passing legislation that drastically cut military and economic aid to South Vietnam. The loss of this vital support crippled the ARVN's ability to fight, causing shortages of fuel, ammunition, and spare parts, which accelerated the collapse of the government and military.
7. Can you provide a brief timeline of the key events during the 1975 collapse of South Vietnam?
Certainly. The final collapse occurred rapidly in the spring of 1975. Key events include:
March 10: North Vietnam begins its final offensive by capturing Ban Me Thuot.
March 25: The city of Hue falls.
March 30: Da Nang, South Vietnam's second-largest city, is captured.
April 21: South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu resigns and flees the country.
April 30: Saigon is captured by North Vietnamese forces, leading to the unconditional surrender of South Vietnam and the end of the war.
