From president Nguyen Van Thieu’s decision to withdraw from the Central Highlands to the fall of the Republic of Vietnam in 1975

In the spring of 1975, the Liberation Army forces in South Vietnam launched a general offensive against the Republic of Vietnam government (RVN) and the Army (ARVN). The strategic area of the Central Highlands was identified as an opening, in which Buon Ma Thuot town was selected as the place of the crucial battle. By skillful diversionary tactics, overwhelming forces were concentrated secretly and organized surprise attacks. The revolutionary armed forces quickly seized control of the town and hit at dangerous spots that shook the arrangement of ARVN in the Central Highlands and throughout South Vietnam. In the situation of weakening forces, lack of weapons and a sharp reduction in the US military aid, the President of the Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Van Thieu decided to withdraw strategically from the Central Highlands and some other important areas. This decision immediately severely affected ARVN, causing a mass escape that could not be prevented, creating extremely favorable conditions for the Liberation Army forces to take advantage of the opportunity to the continuous attack, which lead the Republic of Vietnam regime to collapse quickly.This paper analyzes the context of the situation, explains the reasons for Nguyen Van Thieu’s wr ong decision, and addresses the fateful consequences of that decision.

Buon Ma Thuot, Nguyen Van Thieu, decision to withdraw from the Central Highlands, the fall of the RVN, Vo Nguyen Giap, Frank Snepp