Background
In 1968 the communists launched the Tet Offensive. They attacked South Vietnam from all sides, largely by undercover Vietcong guerrillas.
Saigon was the main focal point of this offensive, but a total takeover of the capital, by military units, was not intended or feasible. They rather had six main targets in the city which 35 battalions of Vietcong were to attack and capture: the headquarters of the ARVN, the Independence Palace, the US Embassy, Saigon, the Tan Son Nhut air base, the Long Binh Naval Headquarters, and the National Radio Station. Several reports, after the conflict, indicate that the leader of the Vietcong lived next door to the US Embassy.
The communists were able to assault Saigon because it was Tet (Vietnamese New Year) and this covered some of the sound of gunfire.This is because of the firecrackers going off.
Read more about this topic: Battle Of Saigon (1968)
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