Ep 6. Peace with Honor (1970-1975)

In the sixth episode of Vietnam in HD's first season, viewers are taken on a journey through the end of the Vietnam War, from the years 1970 to 1975, which includes the intense fighting of the Tet Offensive, the US incursion into Cambodia and the Paris peace talks that eventually led to the end of the war.

The episode gives viewers an unflinching look at the impact of the conflict on both the American and Vietnamese people, including the loss of life and the physical and psychological toll of the war. It highlights the sacrifices and bravery of soldiers on both sides of the conflict.

The episode emphasizes the U.S. military's reaction to the surprise attacks of Tet Offensive, a series of coordinated North Vietnamese attacks that began in January 1968, and the bitter fighting in the years that follow. American troops, some of whom had already endured years of combat, suddenly found themselves in the middle of some of the war's most intense fighting, with many of them unable to distinguish friend from foe.

As the conflict drags on, the U.S. government's strategy changes. In 1970, President Richard Nixon launches a secret incursion into Cambodia in an effort to disrupt North Vietnamese supply routes. The mission, which was kept secret from both the American public and the Cambodian government, was a controversial one and ultimately failed to achieve its objectives.

The episode also explores the role of the South Vietnamese Army, which by 1970 had taken on more of the fighting, with American troops gradually withdrawing from the conflict. The South Vietnamese soldiers, who were often poorly equipped and poorly trained, were frequently targeted by North Vietnamese forces.

Throughout the episode, viewers are also shown the impact of the war on the Vietnamese people. In addition to the massive loss of life, they suffered from widespread displacement and famine. The war upended traditional Vietnamese, with many people forced to flee their homes, farms and businesses to escape the fighting.

As the war dragged on, public opinion in the United States turned against it. Some U.S. soldiers began to speak out against the conflict. But it took years of fighting, countless deaths, and fierce political battles before the United States and Vietnam were able to come to an agreement.

The episode delves into the negotiations that led to the Paris Peace Accords, the agreement that ended U.S. military involvement in Vietnam. Signed in January 1973, the accords called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of American prisoners of war, the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam, and the reunification of North and South Vietnam. However, as the episode makes clear, the settlement was far from perfect, and the conflict would continue to rage in Vietnam for another two years.

Ultimately, the episode is a sobering look at one of the most controversial and tragic conflicts in U.S. history. It tells the story of a war that impacted millions of people and continues the legacy of heroism and sacrifice that defined those who fought in the conflict.