Name: The Vietnam War
Genre: War & Politics, Documentary, Drama
Released: 2008-01-15

Overview

At a cost of more than 3.1 million lives, the Vietnam War remains America’s longest and most controversial conflict. It was also the first war brought into homes through television, as journalists reported directly from the frontlines. Americans witnessed major events such as the Tet Offensive, the 77-day Battle of Khe Sanh, and key engagements at Ia Drang Valley, Con Thien, and Dak To. This 2-disc collection from The History Channel chronicles the war from the arrival of U.S. advisors in 1959 to the evacuation of the American Embassy in 1975. Featuring archival footage, CBS News reports, and interviews with historians and veterans, it explores the military strategies, political decisions, and the daily experiences of American servicemen and women.

Seasons

Season 1

8 Episodes

2008

E01

America Enters the War

1/15/2008·48m

As Cold War tensions escalate, the United States deepens its involvement in Vietnam. This episode traces the events and political decisions that transformed America from providing military advisors to committing combat troops, examining the strategy of containment, the Gulf of Tonkin incident, and the growing conflict that would become one of the most controversial wars in U.S. history. Featuring archival footage, news reports, and interviews with historians and veterans, it explores the early years of America's war in Vietnam.

E02

Tet in Saigon and Hue

1/15/2008·48m

The surprise Tet Offensive of 1968 shocks American and South Vietnamese forces. Fierce fighting erupts in Saigon and the ancient city of Hue, demonstrating the determination of North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces while dramatically changing public opinion about the war in the United States.

E03

Ringing Down the Curtain

1/15/2008·48m

As casualties mount and support for the war declines, American leaders search for a path out of Vietnam. Military operations continue while diplomatic negotiations and domestic protests increase pressure to end U.S. involvement.

E04

The End Game

1/15/2008·48m

The final years of the Vietnam War unfold as American forces withdraw and South Vietnam struggles to survive. The episode follows the collapse of Saigon in 1975 and the dramatic evacuation of the U.S. Embassy, bringing America's longest war to an end.

E05

LBJ and Vietnam: In the Eye of the Storm

1/15/2008·48m

An in-depth look at President Lyndon B. Johnson's leadership during the Vietnam War. Using archival footage and historical analysis, the documentary explores the difficult political and military decisions that shaped the escalation of the conflict.

E06

Command Decisions: Tet Offensive

1/15/2008·48m

Military commanders and political leaders confront one of the war's defining moments. The documentary analyzes the planning, execution, and consequences of the Tet Offensive, revealing how strategic decisions influenced both the battlefield and public perception.

E07

Unsung Heroes: The Battle of Khe Sanh

1/15/2008·48m

During the 77-day siege of Khe Sanh, U.S. Marines and their allies endure relentless attacks under harsh conditions. Through archival footage and veterans' accounts, the episode highlights the courage, sacrifice, and determination of those who defended the remote combat base.

E08

Battlefield Diaries: Ia Drang Valley

1/15/2008·48m

Veterans recount the first major engagement between U.S. Army forces and the North Vietnamese Army in the Ia Drang Valley. Combining firsthand testimony with archival footage, the episode examines the tactics, challenges, and lasting impact of one of the war's most significant battles.