30 January in military history: Tet Offensive, 1968

Quick answer

On 30 January 1968, during the Tet lunar new year truce, North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces opened the Tet Offensive with attacks on cities in central South Vietnam. The next night it spread across the whole country, including Saigon. It ended in a military defeat for the attackers but deepened American doubts about the war.

The Tet Offensive, 1968: the battle that changed American minds

30 January 1968 · 58 years ago

By late 1967 American leaders assured the public that the Vietnam War was being won and that there was light at the end of the tunnel. North Vietnam planned a massive surprise blow to shatter that confidence and spark a general uprising, timed for the Tet lunar new year, when a truce was expected.

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Battle of Okhmativ, 1644: Koniecpolski stops the Tatars at the border

30 January 1644 · 382 years ago

Polish forces under Hetman Stanisław Koniecpolski met a Crimean Tatar horde led by Tugay Bey near Okhmativ, after the Tatars renewed heavy border raids. Koniecpolski crushed the raiders, the greatest Polish triumph over the Tatars of that era, which made him famous abroad.

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Frequently asked questions

When did the Tet Offensive start?

The first, premature attacks came in the early hours of 30 January 1968, local time, on the central coast of South Vietnam. The main countrywide attacks, including Saigon, followed on the night of 30 to 31 January, so sources give either date.

Why was it called the Tet Offensive?

It was launched during Tet, the Vietnamese lunar new year and the country's most important holiday, when a truce was expected.

Who won the Tet Offensive?

Militarily the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong lost: they held no city for long and suffered very heavy losses. Politically the offensive was a turning point, because it deepened American dissatisfaction with the war and set the United States on the path of disengagement.

Was the US embassy in Saigon captured?

No. A Viet Cong team broke into the embassy compound, but it was destroyed in the fighting and never held the embassy.