Tet Offensive
1968 CE · South Vietnam
The Tet Offensive was fought in 1968 CE in South Vietnam between North Vietnam and the Viet Cong vs South Vietnam, the United States and allies; a military defeat for the attackers but a political turning point that undermined American support for the war.
Tet Offensive: quick facts
- Date
- 1968 CE
- Location
- South Vietnam
- Belligerents
- North Vietnam and the Viet Cong vs South Vietnam, the United States and allies
- Commanders
- Võ Nguyên Giáp and Văn Tiến Dũng vs William Westmoreland and Nguyễn Văn Thiệu
- Result
- a military defeat for the attackers but a political turning point that undermined American support for the war.
- Era
- 🦅 American Wars
- Quiz difficulty
- medium
What happened at the Tet Offensive?
On January 30, 1968, during the Vietnamese lunar new year ceasefire, North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched coordinated attacks on over 100 cities and military installations across South Vietnam. Viet Cong sappers even breached the US Embassy compound in Saigon. The Battle of Hue raged for a month as Marines fought to recapture the ancient citadel. Though the offensive was a devastating military defeat for the communists, who suffered enormous casualties, it shattered American public confidence that the war was being won. The Tet Offensive proved to be a strategic turning point, leading to President Johnson's decision not to seek reelection and the beginning of American disengagement.
Did you know?
During the Tet Offensive, Viet Cong sappers actually breached the US Embassy compound in Saigon and held the grounds for six hours. The shocking television footage undermined American confidence in the war effort.
Sources and further reading
- Tet Offensive on Wikipedia for the full account, historiography and primary sources.
- How BattleGuess compiles and checks battle facts: see the About page.
Entry last reviewed 26 September 2026.