Huế falls to advancing forces

The campaign opened in the Central Highlands, where Vietnamese forces sought to break the Republic of Vietnam’s defensive position. The campaign rapidly became a turning point, setting off military...

The attack began a rapid series of military reversals for South Vietnam; the town fell on March 11. President Thiệu’s withdrawal decisions and command breakdown accelerated the collapse of...

The attack on Buôn Ma Thuột dealt a major blow to South Vietnamese defenses. The rapid changes in control brought intense fighting and the displacement of civilians, including highland communities...

President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu ordered a withdrawal from the Central Highlands. The retreat, undertaken on difficult routes, became disorganized and contributed to mass civilian flight and the collapse of...

People’s Army of Vietnam forces began a coordinated campaign toward Huế and Đà Nẵng as Republic of Vietnam defenses weakened. The fighting and hurried evacuation exposed civilians to danger and...

Huế was captured after the collapse of Republic of Vietnam defenses. The change in control was part of the fast-moving spring offensive; accounts that call it “liberation” and accounts that call it...

Revolutionary forces took Đà Nẵng after a rapid collapse of South Vietnamese defenses and a chaotic evacuation. Large numbers of civilians and soldiers were trapped or displaced. The loss opened the...

People’s Army of Vietnam and local forces entered Đà Nẵng as Republic of Vietnam defenses collapsed. The city’s capture ended organized resistance in much of central Vietnam, amid a chaotic...

The U.S.-organized airlift began evacuating children from Saigon for adoption abroad. The first flight crashed shortly after takeoff, killing many passengers. The operation raised questions about...

The first flight in the U.S.-organized Operation Babylift carried children from Saigon for adoption and care abroad. The evacuation became controversial: Vietnamese families and critics questioned...