February 17, 1979 – March 16, 1979
China attacks Vietnam's northern border provinces and withdraws after about a month; both sides claim victory.
The Third Plenum of the 11th Central Committee, guided by Deng Xiaoping, shifts China's focus to economic development and opening up.
Following Khmer Rouge border attacks, Vietnam invades Cambodia, takes Phnom Penh on 7 January 1979 and overthrows the Khmer Rouge; Vietnamese troops remain until 1989.
Citizens of Gwangju rise against Chun Doo-hwan's military regime; the uprising is violently suppressed by the army.
Vietnam becomes the 149th member state of the United Nations.
The National Assembly of the reunified country proclaims the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Saigon is renamed Hồ Chí Minh City.
Chairman Mao Zedong, founder of the People's Republic of China, dies in Beijing; the Cultural Revolution ends soon after.