The Fall of Saigon
April 1975: The fall of the city was preceded by the evacuation of almost all the American civilian and military personnel in Saigon, along with tens of thousands of South Vietnamese civilians associated with the southern regime. The evacuation culminated in Operation Frequent Wind, which was the largest helicopter evacuation in history. In addition to the flight of refugees, the end of the war and institution of new rules by the communists contributed to a decline in the population of the city.
April 29th, 1975: Before all of the American Soldiers even had the chance to withdraw, the general Nguyen Van Toan made the decision to invade and conquer the city, just like the Southerners expected. Saigon was hit by rockets and heavy artillery, destroying the only airport in Saigon. Conveniently, the Americans had a premeditated back up plan for escape. Henry Kissinger gave the order to the American troops to go through with "Operation Frequent Wind", a helicopter escape plan that included the American soldiers and their South Vietnam comrades deemed "friendly". This escape plan led to the largest helicopter evacuation in our entire history.
April 30th, 1975: The Fall of Saigon (or Liberation of Saigon), the capital of South Vietnam, by the People's Army of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front. The event marked the end of the Vietnam War and the start of a transition period leading to the formal reunification of Vietnam into a communist state. By the afternoon of the next day, North Vietnamese troops had occupied the important points within the city and raised their flag over the South Vietnamese presidential palace. South Vietnam capitulated shortly after. The city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City, after communist leader Ho Chi Minh. On April 30th 1975, at 15:30, President Minh made this statement on a Radio Broadcast: "I declare the Saigon government...completely dissolved at all levels." The city of Saigon had officially fallen. The Vietnam War was finally over. The city was thereby renamed Ho Chi Minh City, after North Vietnam's source of inspiration, their Communist leader. The Fall of Saigon was a very important event because it marked not only the end of the Vietnam War, but the beginning of the formal reunification of Vietnam under Communist Rule. This tumultuous war had finally come to an end, and the macabre scene in Vietnam was at its close, at least for the most part.