A pivotal event in the Vietnam War, it constituted a series of surprise attacks by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces during the Tet holiday (Vietnamese New Year) in 1968. It involved assaults on cities, military installations, and government buildings throughout South Vietnam, significantly impacting public opinion regarding the conflict.
The coordinated attacks exposed vulnerabilities in the U.S. and South Vietnamese defenses, shattering the perception of an imminent victory and fueling anti-war sentiment in the United States. It significantly eroded public trust in the Johnson administration’s handling of the war and contributed to a shift in U.S. policy towards de-escalation and eventual withdrawal.
