The Tet Offensive, launched on January 30, 1968, was a pivotal military campaign during the Vietnam War, involving a series of surprise attacks by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces across South Vietnam. The operation coincided with the Tet holiday, which is a major Vietnamese celebration marking the lunar new year, symbolizing new beginnings and family reunions. The Viet Cong leveraged this cultural period of expected peace to execute their extensive plan, aiming to destabilize South Vietnam and challenge the U.S. military's presence in the region. Key targets included the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, military bases, government buildings, and provincial capitals.The offensive encompassed attacks on over 100 cities and military installations, showcasing the Viet Cong's ability to coordinate operations over vast distances and against a numerically superior opponent. Although the initial advances were met with fierce resistance, the offensive revealed significant vulnerabilities in the South Vietnamese defense strategies. The unexpected intensity and scale of the offensive prompted a dramatic shift in public opinion within the United States, leading to increased anti-war sentiment and questioning the U.S. military strategy in Vietnam. The prolonged conflict, characterized by such bold assaults, continued to shape American foreign policy and public discourse.By the conclusion of the Tet Offensive, while militarily it was considered a failure for the North Vietnamese—with heavy casualties and little territorial gain—the psychological impact was profound. It fundamentally altered American perceptions of the war and has been credited with shifting the political landscape, culminating in growing calls for de-escalation and eventual withdrawal from Vietnam. The Tet Offensive underscored the complexities of guerrilla warfare and the importance of public sentiment in shaping military policy.