Fall of Saigon

After 24 hours on 29th April (H Hour) Saigon was attacked from all directions, except from the sea. The DMZ penetrated more units, as well as from Laos and from north central Cambodia. In a forest of rubber next to Dau Giay there awaited a deep attack unit formed by a brigade of tanks, an infantry regiment and some units.

They had been camouflaged with branches to cover the vehicles, their arms had red ribbons tied around them to distinguish themselves and impeccable uniforms to take the capital. General Cao Van Vien signed the order to stand with the phrase “defend to the death, until the end, the portion of land that remains” shortly after deserting his post and fleeing the country.

At 15:00 on April 29th transport, armored vehicles and tanks drove a deep attack and left the forest to reach the capital, crushing all resistance they could find. The next day they arrived in Saigon as people tried to flee by any means and with astonishment took to the streets of the capital moving toward the headquarters of Staff, the Independence Palace, the headquarters of the Special Capital Zone, the Board General of Police and the Tan Son Nhut airfield with enormous speed.

Even journalists were shocked when they received the news that they had entered the presidential palace. It was the Fall of Saigon. The Communists climbed the stairs of the Palace with their flags. They arrived at the president’s office and entered. With some dignity Minh said: We’ve been waiting to transfer the government. The answer was: You have nothing to transfer. You can give unconditionally.