Curated timeline

Vietnam War

A timeline of the conflict in Southeast Asia. From French colonial rule and the rise of the Viet Minh to the US intervention, the Tet Offensive, and the fall of Saigon.

• First Indochina War Begins (December 19, 1946)

  The Viet Minh launch attacks against French colonial forces in Hanoi, beginning the First Indochina War that would eventually lead to Vietnamese independence.

• Battle of Dien Bien Phu (March 13 - May 7, 1954)

  The decisive battle where Viet Minh forces under General Giap defeat the French garrison, ending French colonial rule in Indochina.

• Geneva Accords (July 20-21, 1954)

  International agreement temporarily divides Vietnam at the 17th parallel, with unification elections scheduled for 1956 that never occur.

• Formation of North and South Vietnam (October 26, 1955)

  Ngo Dinh Diem declares the Republic of Vietnam in the South after a disputed referendum, while Ho Chi Minh consolidates the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in the North.

• Formation of Viet Cong (December 20, 1960)

  The National Liberation Front (Viet Cong) is established to oppose the South Vietnamese government and reunify Vietnam under communist rule.

• Gulf of Tonkin Incident (August 2-4, 1964)

  Disputed naval encounters between U.S. destroyers and North Vietnamese forces lead to Congressional authorization for expanded U.S. military involvement.

• Operation Rolling Thunder (March 2, 1965 - November 1, 1968)

  Sustained U.S. bombing campaign against North Vietnam, representing a major escalation of American involvement in the conflict.

• U.S. Ground Forces Arrive (March 8, 1965)

  First U.S. combat troops (Marines) land at Da Nang, marking the beginning of large-scale American ground involvement in Vietnam.

• Battle of Ia Drang (November 14-18, 1965)

  First major battle between U.S. Army and North Vietnamese forces, testing American airmobile tactics and helicopter warfare.

• Tet Offensive (January 30, 1968)

  Coordinated attacks by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces on major South Vietnamese cities, dramatically shifting American public opinion against the war.

• My Lai Massacre (March 16, 1968)

  U.S. soldiers kill hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians in My Lai village, becoming a symbol of American war crimes when revealed in 1969.

• Vietnamization Policy (June 8, 1969)

  President Nixon announces strategy to gradually withdraw U.S. forces while transferring combat responsibilities to South Vietnamese military.

• Cambodian Campaign (April 30 - June 29, 1970)

  U.S. and South Vietnamese forces invade Cambodia to attack communist sanctuaries, triggering massive anti-war protests in America.

• Kent State Shootings (May 4, 1970)

  Ohio National Guard kills four students during anti-war protests at Kent State University, galvanizing opposition to the Vietnam War.

• Easter Offensive (March 30 - October 22, 1972)

  Major North Vietnamese offensive across the DMZ, countered by intensive U.S. bombing and South Vietnamese resistance.

• Christmas Bombings (December 18-29, 1972)

  Operation Linebacker II - intensive B-52 bombing of North Vietnam to pressure peace negotiations, also known as the Christmas Bombings.

• Paris Peace Accords (January 27, 1973)

  Agreement signed by U.S., North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and Viet Cong establishing ceasefire and framework for U.S. withdrawal.

• Last U.S. Troops Withdraw (March 29, 1973)

  Final U.S. combat forces leave South Vietnam following the Paris Peace Accords, ending direct American military involvement.

• Final North Vietnamese Offensive (January 6 - April 30, 1975)

  North Vietnamese launch their final campaign, rapidly overrunning South Vietnamese forces and advancing toward Saigon.

• Fall of Saigon (April 30, 1975)

  North Vietnamese forces capture Saigon, South Vietnam surrenders, and Vietnam is reunified under communist rule, ending the Vietnam War.

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