Fall of Saogon

The Fall of Saigon occurred on April 30, 1975, marking the end of the Vietnam War and the collapse of South Vietnam. On that day, North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, leading to the country’s reunification under communist control.

As North Vietnamese troops approached, there was a chaotic evacuation of remaining American personnel and some South Vietnamese allies from the city, most famously captured in images of helicopters taking off from the U.S. Embassy. Many South Vietnamese attempted to flee, fearing retribution from the communist forces.

The event marked the official end of the Vietnam War after more than two decades of conflict, and it led to the renaming of Saigon as Ho Chi Minh City. The fall was a significant moment in Cold War history, representing a major defeat for the United States and a turning point in the region.