1973 End of the Vietnam War

45 years ago, on January 27, 1973, representatives of North Vietnam, South Vietnam, the United States and the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam (Viet Cong) signed the Paris Accords to end the war and restore peace in Vietnam. American troops were to be withdrawn from South Vietnam within 60 days, and North Vietnam pledged not to interfere in the affairs of South Vietnam, where free and democratic elections were to be held.

American troops were withdrawn and American prisoners were released. But the North Vietnamese troops did not leave South Vietnam and in March 1975, taking advantage of the crisis of power in America in connection with the Watergate scandal, launched a large-scale offensive, captured Saigon and overthrew the pro-American government of South Vietnam.

The heads of the US and North Vietnamese negotiating delegations, Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho, were awarded the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize for their role in preparing the Paris Accords. Le Duc Tho refused to accept the award, arguing that there was no real peace in Vietnam.