Tet 1968: A Pivotal Moment in Vietnam and U.S. History

How a surprise attack reshaped U.S. strategy, public opinion, and the course of the war in Vietnam

Jan 31, 2025

∙ Paid

At approximately 0200 on January 31, 1968, Tan Son Nhut Airbase, home to General William Westmoreland’s Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) and the commander of all U.S. forces, came under a surprise attack. Today marks 56 years since the start of the multi-phased, country-wide Tet Offensive, launched during the Vietnamese New Year, which became an inflection point that would fundamentally shift U.S. strategy in Vietnam.

At Tan Son Nhut, North Vietnamese soldiers and Viet Cong guerrillas launched a coordinated assault using mortars, rockets, and small arms fire. Simultaneously, across South Vietnam, a wave of attacks targeted key political, psychological, and military sites, including the U.S. Embassy in Saigon and critical population centers, most notably Hue and Saigon. The heroic defense of Khe Sanh and the massacre at My Lai, where U.S. forces killed 500 civilians, would add widely different but significant chapters to the war.

This black and white photo take prior to the Tet Offensive of January 31, 1968, shows a group of Vietnamese Special Forces women gathered around a large map, attentively studying the layout of Saigon. One of them points to a specific location with a long stick, suggesting a coordinated discussion or planning session. — North Vietnamese Women's Special Forces Division 6 studies the map of District 7, Saigon, during the Tet Offensive. Courtesy Picryl.com

Although caught off guard, U.S. and South Vietnamese forces ultimately repelled the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong guerrillas, reclaiming captured areas in the following weeks and months. Both sides claimed victory but at a staggering cost. The casualty count soared: over 2,100 U.S. troops, 4,000 South Vietnamese soldiers, 214 Allied personnel, and approximately 12,500 civilians were killed. January 31, 1968, remains the deadliest single day of the war, with 246 U.S. troops killed in action.

This is map is of Vietnam outlined in white showing military tactical zones. The map illustrates the key engagement sites of the Tet Offensive in 1968, a major turning point in the Vietnam War. Red starbursts mark the locations of attacks launched by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces across South Vietnam, targeting cities, military bases, and strategic locations. The offensive spanned all four Corps Tactical Zones (CTZs), including major battles in Saigon, Hue, Khe Sanh, and other critical areas. Despite being repelled, the widespread assault shocked the American public and shifted U.S. policy toward de-escalation and eventual withdrawal from the war. — The U.S. Army Campaigns of the Vietnam War *Turning Point 1967-1968* by Andrian Traas, Center for Military History, U.S. Army, page 50..

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to The Military Reading Room - History, Strategy, and Insight to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.