South Vietnam, officially known as the Republic of Vietnam, existed from 1955 to 1975 during the Cold War era. It occupied the southern part of present-day Vietnam, with a land area of roughly 173,809 square kilometers. Its population during the early 1970s was around 19 to 20 million people. The capital city was Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City). South Vietnam was a non-communist state supported mainly by the United States and its allies, opposing the communist North Vietnam. The Vietnam War, a major conflict involving both domestic and international forces, ultimately led to the fall of Saigon in 1975, marking the end of South Vietnam and the reunification of the country under communist rule.
South Vietnam, officially known as the Republic of Vietnam, existed from 1955 to 1975 during the Cold War era. It occupied the southern part of present-day Vietnam, with a land area of roughly 173,809 square kilometers. Its population during the early 1970s was around 19 to 20 million people. The capital city was Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City). South Vietnam was a non-communist state supported mainly by the United States and its allies, opposing the communist North Vietnam. The Vietnam War, a major conflict involving both domestic and international forces, ultimately led to the fall of Saigon in 1975, marking the end of South Vietnam and the reunification of the country under communist rule.