The Significance of the Vietnam War in Australia's History

The Vietnam War (1956 - 1975) saw the communist North Vietnam and the South Vietnamese government in the nation's longest and most controversial battle. As allies of the US, Australia sent aid to Vietnam, resulting in events that are significant in Australia's history.

After the declaration of independence from France in 1954, Vietnam was split at the 17th parallel: the North, the "Democratic Republic of Vietnam", and the South, the "Republic of Vietnam". The North was ruled by the communist leader Hồ Chí Minh, and the south was ruled by president Ngô Đình Diệm.¹ Elections that would decide the future of Vietnam were to be held in 1956._­­­²

However, when it was time for the election, Điệm refused to hold the election, declaring that there would be no way of ensuring a fair vote in the north.³ By 1957, the communists, now known as the Viet Cong, had begun to hatch a plan to overthrow the South Vietnamese government. Diệm had become a dictator, alienating the South Vietnamese.⁴

In 1959 Hồ Chí Minh, robbed of his election, waged war on the South and took over by force. Attacks on both sides of the country continued for 16 years, ending in 1975 when Saigon, the largest city in the South, collapsed. North Vietnam had surrounded the city, right into the presidential palace.⁵ Following their victory, Saigon's name was changed to Ho Chi Minh City in honour of the communist leader.

In 1976, Vietnam was unified under the name of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.⁶