Tet Offensive Research Paper

Sun Tzu’s The Art of War has again and again proves itself to be accurate in many battles and wars throughout history. The Tet offensive was a sneak attack launched by The North Vietnam Army. It is often referred to as the turning point of the war. To try to help the South Vietnamese people, the United States sent troops to help. All was going good for the United States until Tet. Tet is a celebration in Vietnam that marks the Lunar New Year. It is the “most important Vietnamese holiday” (Tet Offensive). The United States had a truce with the Vietnam forces during Tet. During this ceasefire, the North Vietnam Army Launched a sneak attack on Military bases all across Vietnam that caught many off-guard. The Tet Offensive was a tactical

success for the North Vietnam army and a brilliant execution of Sun Tzu’s strategies in The Art of War.
The Vietnam War took place during the Cold War. During this war, the United States were helping the South Vietnam forces. In Vietnam, January 1968 (Gerard), the North Vietnam Army led by Ho Chi Minh wanted to reunite North and South Vietnam. This battle took place in Vietnam. There is no one location that the battle took place. Rather, the sneak attack was targeting over 100 cities.
Before this war The United States was thought of as having the superior military force.

The United States decided to intervene in this because North Vietnam was communist. The United States wanted to keep the south a non-communist nation. The United States used guns made in the United States, as did their South Vietnam allies. They used the M16 rifle. The North Vietnam Forces and the Vietcong used guns made in either the Soviet Union or China. However, the United States were able to take complete control of the skies with their B-52 Bombers, F-4 Phantoms, and The Huey (Weapons of The Vietnam War). The Vietnamese did have an advantage because they were familiar with the terrain around them (because the war was in

Vietnam).
The Tet offensive was a sneak attack by North Vietnam and Vietcong forces.

During the beginning of this battle the North Vietnam and Vietcong had the advantage because many allied forces were caught off guard by this sneak attack. General Vo Nguyen Giap planned this attack. Despite heavy losses from the North Vietnamese army, they achieved a victory. They even attacked and overrun the United States embassy in Saigon. Giap had hopped to drive a wedge between the South Vietnam forces and the North Vietnam forces (Tet Offensive). Trying to drive a wedge between South Vietnam and the United States (Tet Offensive) was a brilliant move that follows one of Sun Tzu’s principles. “If an enemy has alliances, the problem is grave and the enemy’s position is strong; if he has no alliances, the problem is minor and the enemy’s position is weak” (Sun Tzu). Giap realized that the United States were very strong when combined with the South Vietnam forces. In order to try to stop this alliance, Giap tried to split them up, which he was successful to some extent. This surprise attack follows one of Sun Tzu’s principles perfectly. “In conflict, straightforward actions generally lead to engagement, Surprising actions generally lead to victory” (Sun Tzu). The North Vietnam forces followed this principle perfectly. They waited until a ceasefire when the United States and South Vietnamese forces had the guard down. During the Tet ceasefire, the United States along with the South

Vietnam forces made a huge strategic mistake. They did not follow one of Sun Tzu’s principles. “To… not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues” (Sun Tzu). During the ceasefire many South Vietnamese soldiers were worshipping their ancestors and not being prepared for a fight. The United States troops were also not expecting a fight. This is one of the reasons they did not win the battle. Giap followed many of Sun Tzu’ principles while planning the Tet Offensive, that is why the North Vietnam Forces along with the Vietcong won the battle.
Sun Tzu was a brilliant mind; his strategies were used in the Vietnam War during the Tet Offensive to achieve a major victory. The North Vietnam and Vietcong forces were able to utilize Sun Tzu’s techniques to help them turn the tide of the war. The United States did not utilize Sun Tzu’s teachings and they were forced to withdraw all troops from Vietnam. How would the Vietnam War have ended if Sun Tzu never recorded his many lessons?

Works Cited

Gerard, Robert. "The role of character in effective leadership." Military Review Sept.- Oct. 2014: 44+. War and Terrorism Collection. Web. 23 Oct. 2014.
"Tet Offensive." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 23 Oct. 2014.
History.com Staff. "Weapons of the Vietnam War." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2011. Web. 03 Nov. 2014.
Smith, N D, and Nancy LeBrun. Sun-tzu: Art of War. Bathesda, MD: Discovery Communications, Inc, 1994.