Losses in His Family
A Viet Cong soldier recalls losing several family members in the war. And yet many young people, even in his family, still joined the resistance.
Saigon During Tet
During the Tet Offensive, Duong Van Mai Elliott visits her family in South Vietnam. She remembers their fear that Viet Cong forces could be hiding nearby.
Men Like This
A decorated Army veteran recalls the courage and loyalty he observed from young men serving in the Vietnam War.
LBJ Criticizes the Media
In a taped conversation between President Johnson and Jack Horner of the Washington Star, the president criticizes the media.
Quang Ngai
A GI talks about the danger of landmines and the courage it took just to walk in Vietnam.
Protests in Chicago, 1968
A journalist describes the scene of a violent clash between police and student protesters at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Vietnam's Beauty
Marines arrive in South Vietnam expecting to have to fight their way ashore. Instead they are greeted by young women offering flowers. A Marine discusses his surprise in discovering the beauty of the Vietnamese landscape.
Ia Drang
Soldiers discuss the psychological shock of witnessing death on the battlefield. Journalist Neil Sheehan talks about the courage he observed during the fighting in the Ia Drang Valley.
Early Antiwar Movement
While many Americans know little of the conflict in Vietnam, an antiwar movement begins to grow. Faculty at the University of Michigan organize an all-night discussion, dubbed a "teach-in," to promote debate on the subject.
The 9th Party Plenum
In Hanoi, two North Vietnamese factions disagree about how best to proceed in the war. China and the Soviet Union offer conflicting advice.
Binh Gia
After North Vietnamese forces shoot down a U.S. helicopter, South Vietnamese Marines are sent in to retrieve the bodies of four American military advisors. En route to the crash site, they are attacked.
Reporters in Vietnam
Despite the dangers, reporters flock to cover the conflict in Vietnam. One journalist discovers that it is not always possible to remain neutral reporting on war.
Official Trailer | No Single Truth (Vietnamese Subtitles)
Watch an official trailer for The Vietnam War.
Ho Chi Minh's Letter
In 1919, a young Vietnamese man, who would eventually be known by the pseudonym Ho Chi Minh, delivers a letter to the American delegation to the peace talks in Paris, in the hopes that it will reach President Woodrow Wilson.
Student Protests
Students across South Vietnam protest the government's treatment of Buddhist monks. President Diem arrests thousands of students in response.
Declaration of Independence
On September 2, 1945, Vietnamese civilians gather to hear Ho Chi Minh declare the country's independence.
Behind the Scenes: Consulting with Ken Burns & Lynn Novick
Gen. Merrill McPeak and Mai Elliott talk about their experience consulting with the filmmakers on The Vietnam War.
Behind the Scenes: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross on the Score
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross discuss composing the film's score.
PBS Previews: The Vietnam War | #2 Sights & Sounds
The filmmakers discuss finding the imagery and recording the score for The Vietnam War. Find out about the creation of the film from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. #VietnamWarPBS
Supported by
