The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, the Vietnam Conflict, and, in Vietnam, the American War, occurs from 1956 to April 30, 1975.

The war is fought between the communist Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) and its communist allies and the US-supported Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam).

It concludes with the withdrawal of the United States from active combat, the dissolution of South Vietnam, and the failure of United States foreign policy in Vietnam.Over 1.4 million military personnel are killed in the war (of which 6 percent are members of the United States armed forces), while estimates of civilian fatalities range up to 2 million.

On April 30, 1975, the capital of South Vietnam, Saigon, fell to the communist forces of North Vietnam, effectively ending the Vietnam War.