36. The Tide Turns

When the United States suspended its bombing campaign, North Vietnam seized the opportunity to modernize and expand its infrastructure, significantly bolstering its military capabilities. This strategic development laid the groundwork for more effective campaigns from 1973 onwards.

North Vietnam succeeded in reclaiming territories lost in 1972. The decisive moment came in December 1974, when they captured Phuoc Long Province. South Vietnam’s plea for U.S. assistance met with inaction, as Congress declined to re-engage militarily. This refusal emboldened North Vietnam, leading to a full-scale offensive in March 1975 that would eventually bring Saigon within its grasp.