Summary
Highlights
The Vietnam War, known for its devastating use of bombs, napalm, and chemical defoliants, is characterized as the 'dirty war'. Lasting from 1955 to 1973, it involved American and South Vietnamese forces against the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong, resulting in millions of casualties. Decades later, unexploded ordnance and other remnants still serve as a testament to the conflict's violence.
Vietnam was divided into the communist North (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) supported by the Soviet Union, and the pro-Western South (Republic of Vietnam) allied with the Americans. The 17th parallel marked a demilitarized zone. Initially, the US sent military advisors, including CIA agents, to train the South Vietnamese Army against the communist North. Residents in the South who opposed American alliance formed the National Liberation Front (Viet Cong), supported by North Vietnam.
To support the Viet Cong, a vast network called the Ho Chi Minh trail was established to transport food and weapons through Laos and Cambodia to the South. This complex system, maintained by over 120,000 people, included transport, artillery, army, and engineering units. The trail extended to Cu Chi, a district near Saigon, where an immense, multi-level tunnel network provided shelter, command centers, and storage for up to 16,000 people, allowing guerrillas to hide and fight effectively.
To counteract the Viet Cong's jungle warfare advantage, the US introduced chemical warfare. Operation Ranch Hand, launched in 1962, involved dumping herbicides like Agent Orange to defoliate areas and disrupt enemy food supplies. Agent Orange, containing highly toxic dioxin, had devastating long-term effects, contaminating soil and causing environmental damage. Efforts are now underway to cleanse affected areas and restore biodiversity.
The Gulf of Tonkin incident in August 1964 led to the US officially declaring war on North Vietnam. This was followed by Operation Rolling Thunder, a massive aerial bombardment campaign. Fighter jets carried bomb loads comparable to World War II heavy bombers, and napalm was extensively used. The village of Vinh Moc, near the 17th parallel, was heavily targeted, forcing its residents to construct extensive underground tunnels for survival, where 17 children were born.
After the bombing campaigns, widespread unexploded ordnance (UXO) continued to pose a deadly threat. Organizations like RENEW work to clear these remnants, identifying 160 types of bombs, mines, and grenades. The BLU-26 fragmentation bomb, known for releasing 300 submunitions, is particularly dangerous. Bomb disposal experts face daily risks in clearing these deadly devices, as an estimated 10% of bombs dropped did not explode.
In 1968, the Communist Alliance launched the Tet Offensive, a surprise attack during the Vietnamese New Year truce. Targeting over 100 cities simultaneously, including Saigon, the Viet Cong aimed for symbolic targets like the US embassy. Despite extensive preparations and a massive weapons cache hidden in Saigon, the offensive was a military failure for the communists. However, it significantly impacted American public opinion, leading to gradual US withdrawal.
As negotiations progressed, the US attempted to strike a decisive blow with Operation Linebacker II, or the 'Christmas Bombing', in late 1972. Over nine days, more than 15,000 tons of bombs were dropped on North Vietnam, including Hanoi. Despite significant damage and casualties, North Vietnamese air defenses managed to shoot down numerous American planes. This offensive pushed the US back to the negotiating table, leading to the Paris Peace Accords in January 1973, marking the end of American involvement.
After the US withdrawal, ground fighting between North and South Vietnam continued. Without American support, the South was weakened. In April 1975, North Vietnamese tanks captured Saigon, leading to the reunification of Vietnam under communist rule. This political shift caused panic, and many South Vietnamese fled the country to escape persecution.
Over 40 years later, many soldiers from both sides remain missing. An American government agency, working with Vietnamese authorities, continues to search for the remains of missing US service members. Archaeological excavations uncover evidence, which is then analyzed in labs to identify victims. Identified remains are returned to families for honoring. In Vietnam, collective memory is preserved through cemeteries and altars, and the country is slowly grappling with the profound legacy of the war.