The former resistance force was fiercely suppressed. Since late 1959, the Southern Viet Nam armed force, which regrouped to the North, was ordered to go back to the South. The uprisings of people of South Viet Nam against the US and their lackey government increasingly threatened the Sai Gon regime. In early 1965, the US decided to send their troops to Viet Nam and conduct a war of sabotage in North Viet Nam.

Under direction of the Party Central Committee and the Politburo, headed by General Secretary Le Duan, the entire country became a combat zone to fight against the US for national salvation.

The General Offensive and Uprising in Spring 1968 took place when Commander-in-chief Vo Nguyen Giap went abroad for medical treatment. He returned for the second phase of the General Offensive. In both phase II and phase III, the Vietnamese People’s Army suddenly lost advantage, and the fighting encountered many difficulties.

However, General Vo Nguyen Giap made timely decisions, consolidated the force and troop arrangement in preparation for new combat.

The US and Sai Gon Government were forced to enter negotiations with the Viet Nam Government.

The Route 9-southern Laos Campaign defeated Lam Son 719 Operation, taking away the US’s faith on "Vietnamizing the war" strategy. The Dien Bien Phu in the air (over Ha Noi) in December 1972 completely crushed B52, the ace of US Air force, forcing the US Army to retreat their troops.

In August 1974, the Politburo decided to free the South in two years 1975-1976. As making such a plan, Commander-in-chief Vo Nguyen Giap stated: Regarding strategic directions, we should consider: Central Highlands and Southwest Viet Nam. On March 10, 1975, the Vietnamese People’s Army attacked Buon Ma Thuot. The enemy quickly retreated from Central Highlands. On March 18, the General suggested to the Politburo: We should determine to liberate South Viet Nam in 1975, not wait until 1976". On March 24, he proposed to the Politburo: "Do not wait until completely freeing Hue, we should start an attack to Da Nang city. As we have sufficient forces in Sai Gon, we had better liberate Sai Gon in May.

He wrote a historical order:

"Lightning and more lightning speed!

Daring, even more daring!

Take advantage of every minute

Assault on the front, liberate the South

Determine to fight and determine to win"

On April 30, 1975, the General Offensive ended successfully.

In Autumn 1960, at the third National Party Congress in Ha Noi, President Ha Chi Minh asserted: "This Congress is to promote communism in the North and struggle for peace and unification of the country".

The President of the third National Party Congress (September 1960)

Source: "Commander-in-chief General Vo Nguyen Giap" Book