Vietnam War: 50th anniversary of Saigon’s fall

April 30, 2025 - On April 30, 1975, the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon fell to Communist forces, ending a war that had raged on for nearly two decades, taking millions of lives and leaving thousands displaced.

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The Vietnam War (1955–1975) was a conflict between communist North Vietnam, supported by the Soviet Union and China, and South Vietnam, backed by the United States and its allies. After years of brutal fighting, the U.S. withdrew in 1973, and Saigon fell to North Vietnamese forces in 1975, leading to the reunification of Vietnam under communist rule.

Fifty years after the fall of Saigon, a new poll shows the Vietnam War remains the least-supported of the major American wars of the past century.

The Emerson College Polling/Nexstar Media poll found that sentiment is even stronger among those who fought in the war: 46 percent of Vietnam veterans said they don’t believe it was justified, while 41 percent said they do.

More than 3 million people still suffer serious health issues linked to exposure to Agent Orange – the chemical used by U.S. forces during the conflict.