Tet Offensive
South Vietnam
What happened
North Vietnam's army and the Viet Cong, following a plan pushed by leader Lê Duẩn and adjusted by General Võ Nguyên Giáp, attacked South Vietnamese and U.S. forces under General William Westmoreland. On 30-31 January 1968, during the Tết lunar new year holiday, when many South Vietnamese soldiers were on leave, North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched surprise attacks on more than 100 towns and cities across South Vietnam. The attackers were driven back almost everywhere, but fighting in Huế lasted a month.
Why it matters
Result: U.S. – South Vietnamese victory. Leaders: Nguyễn Văn Thiệu / Nguyễn Cao Kỳ against Lê Duẩn / Lê Đức Thọ. Why it matters: Militarily it was a defeat for the attackers, who did not spark the uprising they hoped for. But it shocked the American public and weakened support for the war.
What came next
In March 1968 the TV newsman Walter Cronkite told viewers that negotiation offered an honourable way out. President Johnson cut back the bombing of North Vietnam at the end of March and moved toward peace talks.
Did you know?
In Saigon, a small team of attackers even attacked the U.S. Embassy.
Timeline
- 21 January 1968The siege of Khe Sanh begins.
- 30-31 January 1968The Tết Offensive begins across South Vietnam.
- 31 January 1968Forces seize most of Huế.
- March 1968Walter Cronkite calls for negotiations on CBS News.
- 31 March 1968President Johnson curtails the bombing of North Vietnam.