In April 1975, the Vietnam War was nearing its climax as North Vietnamese forces launched a major offensive against South Vietnam. The battle for Xuân Lộc, located just northeast of Saigon, had become the final significant defensive position of the South Vietnamese army. On April 21, after intense fighting, North Vietnamese troops captured Xuân Lộc, effectively opening the route to Saigon. The fall of this last outpost marked a pivotal moment as it essentially removed any remaining hope for a sustained defense of the capital city.

Amidst the chaos and the crumbling morale of the South Vietnamese military, President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu, faced with the dire circumstances and a shift in the political landscape, made the decision to flee Saigon. Within the next few days, Thiệu's departure symbolized the collapse of the South Vietnamese government and further highlighted the impending end of the Viet Nam conflict. His exit was fraught with implications, as it left many South Vietnamese civilians and soldiers feeling abandoned amidst the advancing Northern forces.

The loss of Xuân Lộc and Thiệu's subsequent escape spurred a rush of panic in Saigon, leading to a mass exodus of citizens seeking refuge elsewhere. The events of late April ultimately culminated in the fall of Saigon on April 30, marking the official end of the Vietnam War and the reunification of Vietnam under communist control.