Resignation of South Vietnamese President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu on April 21, 1975

On April 21, 1975, South Vietnamese President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu resigned from his position amid the rapidly deteriorating situation in South Vietnam during the final days of the Vietnam War. This event marked a significant turning point in the conflict and foreshadowed the imminent fall of Saigon to North Vietnamese forces.

Context Leading to the Resignation

The Vietnam War, which had raged since the late 1950s, was a complex conflict involving the communist forces of North Vietnam and the Viet Cong against the anti-communist government of South Vietnam, supported by the United States and other anti-communist allies. By the early 1970s, the U.S. had begun withdrawing its troops following the Paris Peace Accords of 1973, which aimed to establish peace and end direct U.S. military involvement.

However, the ceasefire was tenuous, and fighting continued between North and South Vietnamese forces. The North Vietnamese launched a major offensive in March 1975, known as the “Ho Chi Minh Campaign,” which quickly overwhelmed South Vietnamese defenses.

Key Events on April 21, 1975

• Military Situation: By April 1975, North Vietnamese forces had made significant advances, capturing key cities such as Huế and Da Nang. The South Vietnamese military was in disarray, suffering from low morale and dwindling resources.

• Thiệu’s Resignation Speech: Facing immense pressure and recognizing the untenable military situation, President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu announced his resignation in a televised speech. In his address, Thiệu criticized the United States for failing to uphold its promises of support and military aid, which he believed contributed to South Vietnam’s dire situation.

• Succession: Following Thiệu’s resignation, Vice President Trần Văn Hương briefly assumed the presidency. However, the political and military situation continued to deteriorate rapidly.

Aftermath and Historical Significance

• Fall of Saigon: Just ten days after Thiệu’s resignation, on April 30, 1975, Saigon fell to North Vietnamese forces, effectively marking the end of the Vietnam War. The event led to the reunification of Vietnam under communist control.

• Thiệu’s Exile: After resigning, Nguyễn Văn Thiệu fled to Taiwan and later settled in the United Kingdom and the United States, living in exile until his death in 2001.

• Legacy: Thiệu’s resignation and the subsequent fall of Saigon had profound implications for Vietnam and the region. It marked the end of a long and costly conflict, leading to significant political, social, and economic changes in Vietnam. The war’s conclusion also had lasting effects on U.S. foreign policy and military strategy.

The resignation of Nguyễn Văn Thiệu remains a pivotal moment in the history of the Vietnam War, symbolizing the collapse of South Vietnam and the dramatic shift in the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia.