The American war and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

The American war:

In 1963, Diem was brought down. He also killed in a coup by his own generals. In that time political confusions were there and because of that the security system deteriorated in South Vietnam.

In early 1965 with a view to prevent the total collapse of the Saigon government, U.S. President Lyndon Johnson sanctioned regular exhaustive bombing of North Vietnam. The U.S. interference caused terrible problems for the Communists on the field of battle. They were also compelled to send regular units of the North Vietnam army to the South.

In 1968, the Johnson government decided to act on a negotiated settlement. In 1969, Ho Chi Minh died. He was succeeded by another revolutionary leader, Le Duan. Richard Nixon was the new U.S. president. He continued Johnson’s policy but very slowly taking back the U.S. troops. In 1973, the war momentarily came to an end. In Paris a peace agreement was arranged. After that the whole U.S. troops were removed.

In early 1975, the Communists set up a military offensive. Within a span of six weeks the confrontation of the Thieu regime distorted. On April 30th the Communists seized authority in Saigon.

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam

In 1976, the North was reunited with the South in a new Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The war ended but violence was still there. After the fall of Saigon the border tension was much more with the Communist government in Cambodia. In 1979 the Vietnamese occupied Cambodia. Pro-Vietnamese government was installed. After a few weeks China attacked Vietnam.

In mid-1980s, Laos and Cambodia were the stations for Vietnamese troops. During 1988, Vietnam considerably cut down its forces in Laos. By 1989 Vietnam withdrew all its troops from Cambodia.

In early 1990s, the government promoted foreign investment funds. It also attempted to better its relations with the U.S. In the 21st century, treaties and trade agreement have set Vietnam for growth, peace, and prosperity.