Timeline

20th century

1. March 29, 1973★★★★★

   Last US combat troops leave Vietnam

   The last US combat units leave South Vietnam under the terms of the Paris Peace Accords.

   WarPolitics· Vietnam, United States
2. January 19, 1974★★★★★

   Battle of the Paracel Islands

   Chinese naval forces clash with the South Vietnamese navy and take control of all of the Paracel Islands.

   War· Vietnam, China
3. March 10, 1975 – April 30, 1975★★★★★

   1975 Spring Offensive

   Beginning with the attack on Buôn Ma Thuột, North Vietnamese forces advance across the South, leading to South Vietnam's collapse on 30 April 1975.

   War· Vietnam
4. April 30, 1975★★★★★

   Fall of Saigon

   North Vietnamese forces enter the Independence Palace; the Republic of Vietnam surrenders, ending the Vietnam War.

   WarPolitics· Vietnam, United States
5. December 25, 1978 – 1989★★★★★

   Cambodian–Vietnamese War

   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.

   War· Vietnam, Cambodia
6. February 17, 1979 – March 16, 1979★★★★★

   Sino-Vietnamese War

   China attacks Vietnam's northern border provinces and withdraws after about a month; both sides claim victory.

   War· Vietnam, China
7. March 14, 1988★★★★★

   Johnson South Reef skirmish

   Chinese and Vietnamese naval forces clash at Johnson South Reef in the Spratly Islands; about 64 Vietnamese sailors are killed.

   War· Vietnam, China
8. September 1989★★★★★

   Vietnam withdraws from Cambodia

   Vietnam completes the withdrawal of its troops from Cambodia, opening the way to the Cambodian peace process.

   WarPolitics· Vietnam, Cambodia