Vietnam War Called the “American War” in Vietnam

 Alternative Title: Second Indochina War

Vietnam War, (1954–75), a protracted conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam and its allies in South Vietnam, known as the Viet Cong, against the government of South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States. Called the “American War” in Vietnam, Chiến tranh mỹ. (or, in full, the “War Against the Americans to Save the Nation”), the war was also part of a larger regional conflict (see Indochina wars) and a manifestation of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies.

Vietnam War

U.S. Marines bombing bunkers and tunnels used by the Viet Cong, 1966.

Vietnam War

QUICK FACTS

DATE

1954 - 1975

TIMELINE

Vietnam War Timeline

LOCATION

Vietnam

PARTICIPANTS

United States Leaders

Viet Cong and Communists

CAUSES

• A parallel increase in support to the North from both China and the Soviet Union.

• An insurgency of communist Vietnamese (known as the Viet Cong) against the South Vietnam Army beginning in the late 1950s that grew into an ongoing guerilla campaign. 

• Attacks on two U.S. destroyers by North Vietnamese torpedo boats in the Gulf of Tonkin on August 5, 1964, which greatly escalated U.S. military involvement in the region and led to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving the U.S. president new authority to wage war. 

• Increasing financial and military aid from the U.S. to South Vietnam in an attempt to limit the spread of communism in the area.

• The defeat of France in the French Indochina War in 1954, which produced a communist government in the victorious North Vietnam (above the 17th parallel) and a democratic government in the French-influenced South Vietnam.

OUTCOMES

Economic downturn and political isolation for Vietnam, which was only supported by the Soviet Union and its allies in Eastern Europe

In contrast to the fears of the U.S. government before the war, the creation of a unified, communist Vietnam did not start a "domino effect" of spreading communism throughout the countries of the region

The collapse of the South Vietnamese government in the spring of 1975, resulting in a unified communist government in the country

The deaths of as many as 2 million Vietnamese civilians, 1.1 million North Vietnamese soldiers, 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers, and 58,000 U.S. servicemen

The emigration of some 2 million refugees from Vietnam from the late 1970s to the early '90s

CONTEXT

Indochina wars

KEY PEOPLE

• Gerald Ford

• Ho Chi Minh

• Lyndon B. Johnson

• John F. Kennedy

• Henry A. Kissinger

• Richard Nixon

• William Westmoreland

• John Kerry

• Creighton Williams Abrams, Jr.

• Harold K. Johnson

• Vietnamese 

• Communists

RELATED TOPICS

• Agent Orange

• Domino theory

• The Deer Hunter

• Boat people

DID YOU KNOW? After this lesson, you will know. 

Lieutenant William L. Calley, Jr., was the only soldier ever sentenced in connection with the My Lai Massacre.

The total tonnage of bombs the United States dropped on North Vietnam surpassed that of the bombing of Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II.

As of January 15, 2018, 1,601 American soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War remained unaccounted for.

At the heart of the conflict was the desire of North Vietnam, which had defeated the French colonial administration of Vietnam in 1954, to unify the entire country under a single communist regime modeled after those of the Soviet Union and China. The South Vietnamese government, on the other hand, fought to preserve a Vietnam more closely aligned with the West. U.S. military advisers, present in small numbers throughout the 1950s, were introduced on a large scale beginning in 1961, and active combat units were introduced in 1965. By 1969 more than 500,000 U.S. military personnel were stationed in Vietnam. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union and China poured weapons, supplies, and advisers into the North, which in turn provided support, political direction, and regular combat troops for the campaign in the South. The costs and casualties of the growing war proved too much for the United States to bear, and U.S. combat units were withdrawn by 1973. In 1975 South Vietnam fell to a full-scale invasion by the North.

Vietnam War

A map showing bases and supply routes during the Vietnam War.

Why did the Vietnam War start?

The United States had provided funding, armaments, and training to South Vietnam’s government and military since Vietnam’s partition into the communist North and the democratic South in 1954. Tensions escalated into armed conflict between the two sides, and in 1961 U.S. President John F. Kennedy chose to expand the military aid program. The terms of this expansion included yet more funding and arms, but a key alteration was the commitment of U.S. soldiers to the region. Kennedy’s expansion stemmed in part from Cold War-era fears about the “domino theory”: if communism took hold in Vietnam, it would topple democracies throughout the whole of Southeast Asia, it was thought.

Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, but his successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, continued the work that Kennedy had started. Johnson raised the number of South Vietnam deployments to 23,000 U.S. soldiers by the end of his first year in office. Political turbulence there and two alleged North Vietnamese attacks on U.S. naval vessels spurred Johnson to demand the passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in 1964. It granted him broad latitude in handling the struggle against communism in Southeast Asia.   

Was the Vietnam War technically a war?

By nearly every metric, the Vietnam War was, in the common sense of the word, a war. The United States committed some 550,000 troops to the Vietnam front at the height of the conflict, suffered more than 58,000 casualties, and engaged in battle after battle with communist forces in the region until its withdrawal in 1973. However, from a constitutional perspective, this conflict did not technically count as a war. The U.S. Constitution grants Congress sole authority to issue declarations of war. Since 1941 Congress has declared war only six times, all during World War II. Congress authorized troop deployment in Vietnam, but, because it did not issue a declaration of war on North Vietnam or the Viet Cong, the Vietnam War is, technically speaking, not considered a war in the United States. Practically speaking, it was genocide, murdering and raping in the Vietnamese soil.

Who won the Vietnam War?

The question of who won the Vietnam War has been a subject of debate, and the answer depends on the definition of victory. Those who argue that the United States won the war point to the fact that the U.S. defeated communist forces during most of Vietnam’s major battles. They also assert that the U.S. overall suffered fewer casualties than its opponents. The U.S. military reported 58,220 American casualties. Although North Vietnamese and Viet Cong casualty counts vary wildly, it is generally understood that they suffered several times the number of American casualties.

Those who argue that the United States’ opponents won the war cite the United States’ overall objectives and outcomes. The United States entered Vietnam with the principal purpose of preventing a communist takeover of the region. In that respect, it failed: the two Vietnams were united under a communist banner in July 1976. Neighbouring Laos and Cambodia similarly fell to communists. Furthermore, domestic unrest and the financial cost of war made peace—and troop withdrawals—a necessity, not a choice.

How many people died in the Vietnam War?

In 1995 Vietnam released its official estimate of the number of people killed during the Vietnam War: as many as 2,000,000 civilians on both sides and some 1,100,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong fighters. The U.S. military has estimated that between 200,000 and 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers died. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., lists more than 58,300 names of members of the U.S. armed forces who were killed or went missing in action. Among other countries that fought for South Vietnam, South Korea had more than 4,000 dead, Thailand about 350, Australia more than 500, and New Zealand some three dozen.

The human costs of the long conflict were harsh for all involved. Not until 1995 did Vietnam release its official estimate of war dead: as many as 2 million civilians on both sides and some 1.1 million North Vietnamese and Viet Cong fighters. The U.S. military has estimated that between 200,000 and 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers died in the war. In 1982 the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C., inscribed with the names of 57,939 members of U.S. armed forces who had died or were missing as a result of the war. Over the following years, additions to the list have brought the total past 58,200. (At least 100 names on the memorial are those of servicemen who were actually Canadian citizens.) Among other countries that fought for South Vietnam on a smaller scale, South Korea suffered more than 4,000 dead, Thailand about 350, Australia more than 500, and New Zealand some three dozen.

Vietnam emerged from the war as a potent military power within Southeast Asia, but its agriculture, business, and industry were disrupted, large parts of its countryside were scarred by bombs and defoliation and laced with land mines, and its cities and towns were heavily damaged. A mass exodus in 1975 of people loyal to the South Vietnamese cause was followed by another wave in 1978 of “boat people,” refugees fleeing the economic restructuring imposed by the communist regime. Meanwhile, the United States, its military demoralized and its civilian electorate deeply divided, began a process of coming to terms with defeat in what had been its longest and most controversial war. The two countries finally resumed formal diplomatic relations in 1995.

Vietnamese boat people

Vietnamese refugees waiting to be taken aboard the USS Blue Ridge during a rescue operation 350 miles (563 km) northeast of Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, 1984.1s sspired by Chinese and Soviet communism, fought the colonial rule first of Japan and then of France. The French Indochina War broke out in 1946 and went on for eight years, with France’s war effort largely funded and supplied by the United States. Finally, with their shattering defeat by the Viet Minh at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in May 1954, the French came to the end of their rule in Indochina. The battle prodded negotiators at the Geneva Conference to produce the final Geneva Accords in July 1954. The accords established the 17th parallel (latitude 17° N) as a temporary demarcation line separating the military forces of the French and the Viet Minh. North of the line was the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, or North Vietnam, which had waged a successful eight-year struggle against the French. The North was under the full control of the Worker’s Party, or Vietnamese Communist Party, led by Ho Chi Minh; its capital was Hanoi. In the South the French transferred most of their authority to the State of Vietnam, which had its capital at Saigon and was nominally under the authority of the former Vietnamese emperor, Bao Dai. Within 300 days of the signing of the accords, a demilitarized zone, or DMZ, was to be created by mutual withdrawal of forces north and south of the 17th parallel, and the transfer of any civilians who wished to leave either side was to be completed. Nationwide elections to decide the future of Vietnam, North and South, were to be held in 1956.

Vietnam (1954–76)

Vietnam Today.

Vietnam News Today (March 11) features headlines include government allocates additional US$21.8 million to 2021 State budget for COVID-19, Vietnamese, Singaporean PMs hold phone talks, Vietnam calls for more efforts to protect civilians in Sudan and COVID-19 updates.

 (Photo: VNE)

Government allocates additional US$21.8 million to 2021 State budget for COVID-19

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has decided to add VND502.9 billion (US$21.8 million) to the 2021 State budget expenditure estimate in a bid to step up COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control efforts.

The money will come from the central budget reserve for 2021 and will be transferred to the Ministry of Health for the further purchase of chemicals, bio-products, and medical equipment, in line with plans adopted by the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control last year.

The Ministry of Health is in charge of managing and using the fund in a legal, efficient, and transparent manner based on the pandemic developments.

Leaders of the Ministry of Health and relevant agencies have agreed to submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision to receive 30 million doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccine on the principle of non-profit.

The 30 million doses were ordered by the Vietnam Vaccine Joint Stock Company (VNVC) from AstraZeneca, including 117,600 doses that are being vaccinated for frontline medical workers in 13 provinces and cities.

The Ministry of Health is also encouraging all eligible businesses to negotiate with other COVID-19 vaccine suppliers in the world in order to import more vaccines for domestic use in line with the Government Resolution dated February 26, 2021 on the purchase and use of COVID-19 vaccines, VOV reported.

Vietnamese, Singaporean PMs hold phone talks on bilateral cooperation

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held phone talks with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Long on March 10 to discuss bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.

PM Lee congratulated Vietnam on the successes of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and PM Phuc’s re-election to the Politburo.

He also congratulated Vietnam’s achievements in containing the COVID-19 pandemic while making progress in socio-economic development, as well as the country’s fulfilment of its role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2020, which included the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, opening up new opportunities for trade and investment liberalisation in the entire region.

 Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc holds phone talks with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Long (Photo: VNA)

PM Phuc, for his part, also noted how Singapore has been regarded as a “bright spot” in the region with regards to containing the pandemic, and praised Singapore’s economic recovery initiatives including the setting up of “air travel bubble” and [email protected], aiming at facilitating travel and reopening the borders.

He suggested the two sides cooperate in containing COVID-19 outbreaks and getting access to safe sources of COVID-19 vaccines; create favourable conditions for businesses and investors to restore production, trade and investment; effectively utilise the bilateral relations within the framework of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and RCEP to promote trade and minimise disputes.

The two leaders held that the bilateral Strategic Partnership is growing effectively and substantially; affirmed to strengthen cooperation in fields in which both countries have potential such as agriculture, fisheries, finance, information technology, education and training, infrastructure, as well as other sectors aiming at meeting the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution-era such as clean energy development, smart cities and smart urban solutions, innovation, digital economy and digitalisation.

Vietnam calls for more efforts to protect civilians in Sudan

A Vietnamese diplomat to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has called on international organisations and the Sudanese government to make a greater effort to protect civilians in the African state, according to VOV.

Addressing a virtually held meeting on the situation in Sudan on March 9, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, highly appreciated the recent developments in Sudan and expressed his wish that the transitional government and stakeholders would continue to fully implement the October 3, 2020 peace agreement, contributing to building long-term peace and stability in the country.

 Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations attends a virtually held meeting on the situation in Sudan. (Photo: VNA)

Ambassador Quy spoke highly of the role the United Nations, countries and regional organizations play in promoting peace and stability in Sudan and urged the international community to continue providing humanitarian assistance and further facilitating Sudan access to international financial institutions.

At the same time, the Vietnamese diplomat expressed his wish that the UN Integrated Transitional Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) would soon be fully operational to support the transition and development process in Sudan, while emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety of the UNAMID’s forces in the withdrawal of its troops.

During the UNSC meeting, rapporteurs spoke of the positive developments in Sudan, but maintained that there remains an increase in violence between communities, plus the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic and humanitarian crisis.

They requested the Sudanese Government further promote the protection of civilians in the Darfur region as well as ensure the safety of the United Nations - African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) during its withdrawal process as reported by VOV.

Two Vietnamese test positive upon arrival in Australia

Two Vietnamese nationals living in Hai Phong City have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus after entering Australia, according to the Hai Phong authorities on March 10.

According to VOV, the 42-year-old woman and her daughter, 18, boarded a plane from Hanoi to Australia transiting through Singapore on March 1.

The daughter was diagnosed for the SARS-CoV-2 virus on March 3 and her mother tested positive three days later, said local authorities.

 (Photo: VNE)

Hearing the news, trhe Hai Phong Municipal Department of Health immediately conducted field investigations and tracked down those coming into close contact with the two cases.

Both citizens had tested negative before they departed for Australia, said local authorities.

Hai Phong is one of the 13 localities in Vietnam which has been hit by the fresh coronavirus outbreak. Like many other localities, the northern port city has recorded no new cases during the past days.

Top 500 fastest growing enterprises unveiled in Vietnam

Vietnam Report JSC (VNR), in collaboration with online newspaper VietnamNet, unveiled on March 10 the country’s 500 fastest growing enterprises (FAST500 Ranking) in 2021.

The leading national firms to make the FAST500 list include An Tien Industries Joint Stock Company, Quang Ninh Port Joint Stock Company, Investment and Development of Commerce and Telecommunication Company, Sao Mai Group Joint Stock Company, and Thai Trung Steel Joint Stock Company.

They are joined by Hanoi Investment Joint Stock Company, Crystal Plastic Technology and Production Joint Stock Company, Kosy Joint Stock Company, CDC Hanoi Joint Stock Company, and Austdoor Group.

 (Photo: VOV)

They all represent enterprises which have steadily overcome a challenging period over the last year and have subsequently contributed to promoting brands locally and globally.

Vu Dang Vinh, general director of Vietnam Report, said last year witnessed the country be one of the few in the world to record a positive growth rate, with its dramatic recovery making it the fourth largest economy in Southeast Asia amid a gloomy economic picture globally caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coming year will see Vietnam enjoy a wealth of opportunities as a result of recently-enacted FTAs which have served to elevate the country’s position and image in the international arena.