The Vietnam War: 12 things to know

Nations fight for control of Indochina colonies

Ho Chi Minh establishes a communist Vietnam

US presidents follow Truman Doctrine

Tonkin Incident prompts Johnson to military action

Unique tactics and technologies used in Vietnam

US sustains assault on North Vietnam

Viet Cong go underground

North Vietnam launches the Tet Offensive

Anti-war movement grows in the united states

Saigon falls to the North Vietnamese

Vietnam War is considered a US loss

As Vietnam recovers, refugees flee

Key dates.