What happened when Saigon fell in April 1975?

The fall of Saigon in April 1975 marked the final major event of the Vietnam War, resulting in the collapse of the South Vietnamese government and the unification of the country.1

Following the resignation of President Nguyen Van Thieu on April 21, North Vietnamese forces encircled the capital. As the final assault approached, the city experienced a desperate evacuation known as Operation Frequent Wind. Thousands of people, including U.S. citizens and South Vietnamese, were airlifted by helicopter to ships offshore, while others attempted to flee via the Saigon River.123

On April 30, 1975, the South Vietnamese government surrendered unconditionally. North Vietnamese tank columns entered the city, and at noon, a tank broke through the gates of the presidential palace. This event effectively ended the 30-year struggle for control over Vietnam. A military government was subsequently established, and in 1976, the country was officially united as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, with Saigon renamed Ho Chi Minh City.21