Top 10 Must-Read Books on the Vietnam War

This novel opens with a famous quote by Cao Bá Quát, setting the stage for the reader to ponder: "Even at three, it's never too late to fight the enemy." 'Fierce Childhood' depicts a generation defending their homeland at the most vulnerable and tender age, children barely into their teens but eager to join the national resistance. The story focuses on young volunteers like Mừng and Lượm, whose lives unfold amid the brutality of war. Despite their small, frail bodies, these children possess immense hatred for the enemy and fight valiantly as heroes. 'Fierce Childhood' captures the heroic yet tragic fates of these children of Vietnam. It tells of their grueling training, their lives in the war zones, and their ultimate sacrifices in battle. The novel also explores the personal tragedies, including the painful betrayals and misunderstandings they face from those they trust most. The story is a heart-wrenching account of innocent children thrust into the horrors of war, forced to fight, sacrifice, and ultimately die with courage and honor. Read 'Fierce Childhood' to feel the heartbreak as these young souls fall, and to be moved by their unwavering spirit in the face of death.

'The Legendary Battles of Saigon Special Forces' is a book that vividly recounts the heroic missions of the Saigon Special Forces, while also portraying the lives of these soldiers during wartime and in peacetime. From the earliest days of resistance against French colonial rule to the later struggle against American forces, the Saigon Special Forces made significant contributions, marking their place in the history of Vietnam's national struggle. Following the events of September 23, 1945, when southern Vietnam began its resistance, several self-organized military groups appeared in Saigon-Gia Dinh. These included the Hùng Vương group, the Invisible Division, the Assassination Squad, and the Suicide Battalion, all aimed at eliminating collaborators with the colonial forces. As these groups grew stronger, they merged into the Saigon-Gia Dinh Defense Force, later evolving into various specialized military units. Despite the changes in name, the mission of the Saigon Special Forces remained the same: to disrupt and destroy key enemy operations, targeting the headquartering forces of colonizers, imperialists, and their local collaborators. The invaluable contributions of the Saigon Special Forces in driving out foreign invaders and uniting the country will always be remembered and honored.

“Everyone's experience of life is different, and so is tragedy. But war, in its brutal nature, creates victims on both sides. When a battlefield covers an entire nation—like the Vietnam War—the entire population becomes a victim.”

With this perspective, 'Barefoot and Steely Resolve' becomes a resourceful account of people, moments, and events that we might know, but can never fully comprehend. Dozens of stories, hundreds of people, and thousands of moments are recounted here, spanning the 20 years of the Vietnam War, particularly from 1961 to 1975, with even some post-war tales.

It’s no accident that 'Barefoot and Steely Resolve' is praised for its depth. The book paints the war through the eyes of real people and actual events, but from the viewpoint of a soldier who stood on the opposite side. Despite the differences in language, perspective, and ideology, these differences do not create discord but instead foster a deep empathy. For in war, whether you win or lose, the losses are immeasurable. There are families that will never be reunited, mothers who will forever mourn their lost children, soldiers who fought to the very end for their ideals and the belief in a united nation, and children who traversed the treacherous Trường Sơn to allow their parents to continue the fight. It also follows the relentless journey of those who survived, searching for the remains of fallen comrades after the war ended.

The stories in 'Barefoot and Steely Resolve' are connected to specific individuals, whether a female war correspondent, a general, or an ordinary civilian. This diversity of experiences gives the book its raw honesty, portraying the war and its aftermath in a way that invites readers to see and understand the people who were part of that tumultuous time.

"On the evening of October 1, 1969, I walked past the security desks at Rand Corporation (RAND) in Santa Monica, carrying a briefcase full of highly classified documents that I intended to copy that night. These documents were part of a top-secret research project spanning 7,000 pages, which would later become known as the Pentagon Papers, detailing the United States' decisions in Vietnam."

Written as a memoir, Daniel Ellsberg's 'The Secret Pentagon Papers and Reflections on the Vietnam War (Reference Book)' provides a more complete and revealing view of the hidden truths behind America's involvement in the Vietnam War.

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The Battlefield of History and Stories from the Vietnam War - The heartfelt and simple narratives within this book evoke deep emotions, highlighting the international friendships and solidarity shown to Vietnam, and the unwavering commitment to its rightful struggle for independence.

The book is divided into the following sections:

• Part One: Historical images of the landmark victories at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, the Spring Offensive of 1975, and the defense of the southwestern border of the nation.
• Part Two: Dien Bien Phu - The first decisive battle of the Hồ Chí Minh era.
• Part Three: The Tet Offensive of 1968 in the historical context of Vietnam.
• Part Four: The Spring Victory of 1975 - The culmination of Vietnam's national strength in the Hồ Chí Minh era.
• Part Five: The defense of the southwestern border - A war for justice.
• Part Six: Stories from the Vietnam War.

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The book is divided into two parts. Part I contains original top-secret documents declassified by the United States in 2015, focusing on the strategies, decisions, and actions of the American leadership during the final collapse of the Saigon government. Part II includes the unforgettable accounts and memoirs from several high-ranking American generals who were directly involved in overseeing the evacuation during the final hours of the Saigon regime.

Through this book, readers gain an in-depth look at the inner workings of the U.S. officials during the final days of the Vietnam War. The declassified documents are presented as verbatim records, faithfully capturing the views of key figures in the U.S. war machine on the critical issues discussed during National Security Council meetings. As a result, this book offers a wealth of information from various perspectives, revealing how decisions and actions by U.S. officials, and other key individuals directly involved in the Vietnam War, led to the ultimate downfall of the Republic of Vietnam.

"Pulling Out: A Reflection on the Final Years of the U.S. in Vietnam" is a groundbreaking work that tells a completely different story about the war in Vietnam. The author challenges long-standing misconceptions about the situation in Vietnam at that time. Daddis compellingly argues that the entire American effort in South Vietnam was incapable of reversing the downward trajectory of the complex conflict.

Even though a new strategy was proposed, Abrams' approach failed to produce any significant change in a war that no longer served the national security interests or global ambitions of the United States. Once Nixon's White House made the political decision to withdraw from Southeast Asia, Abrams' military strategy could not alter the course or outcome of the Vietnam War, which had spanned several decades.

Chu Lai is a renowned writer in Vietnam, often exploring the theme of war. A writer forged in the heat of battle, Chu Lai's works carry the distinct scent of gunpowder, a hallmark of his war-themed writings. In "The Sun Over the Delta", Chu Lai takes us back to an era filled with pain and loss, but also great heroism. The book highlights the often overlooked, everyday moments of a soldier's life that few writers dare to address.

Apart from fierce battles along the Saigon River, it also captures the private emotions that had to be suppressed in favor of patriotism, the struggle for survival against the enemy's raids. There are countless ideological battles and reflections that a soldier might never openly entertain, yet they are poignant elements of humanity, brought to life in "The Sun Over the Delta" (1978). The book also portrays the destinies of soldiers' love lives, often overshadowed by the harshness of wartime, and only truly voiced when they return to the earth, in the quietest, most private moments.

Although the story ends sadly, this is the emotion Chu Lai aimed to evoke. Readers will deeply feel the immense sacrifices of the previous generation, and gain a clearer picture of life during the Vietnam War, where even the most basic human rights were denied to the soldiers. This is one of Chu Lai's most powerful and essential works about the Vietnam War.

It is common to find works about the Vietnam War that focus primarily on the heroism and triumphs, glossing over the pain and suffering. These works emphasize victories to boost morale and encourage the fighting spirit. But in Bao Ninh's writing, war is shown in its true, unvarnished form, revealing the hidden corners of despair that many have forgotten. The suffering caused by war doesn't end on the battlefield—it continues to torment those who survive its flames.

As a result, The Sorrow of War sparked heated debates for a long time, until it found its rightful place in the literary world. Through the narrative of the character Kien, with its layered storytelling, Bao Ninh takes us deep into the war and then pulls us back into reality with vivid dreams, wild fantasies, and drunken rages.

By the end of The Sorrow of War, Bao Ninh exposes the brutal reality of war, making the reader realize that no one emerges as a true victor. A deep, lingering sorrow remains, and even the most revered war monuments are placed on a mental scale, weighed against the unvarnished truth. This is a Vietnam War novel you cannot miss, as it offers a more nuanced and balanced perspective on the past.

"Forever Twenty" is one of the rare diaries from the war period, offering readers an intimate and sincere glimpse into the emotions of a young man from Hanoi as he embarks on his military journey.

Though it is just a collection of unfinished diary entries and letters to a close friend, "Forever Twenty" leaves the younger generation with profound questions. It captures the inner turmoil of a young student on his way to the frontlines: "If I don't return, who will continue writing the pages of this story? I just wish that, tomorrow, the remaining pages will be filled with joy and bustling moments. I don't want them to remain empty and mysterious like the ones I've written so far."

Through "Forever Twenty", readers will walk alongside a generation of youth willing to sacrifice for their country's peace. It speaks to the youthful spirit and the bittersweet longing for home and a future filled with hope.

Read "Forever Twenty" to honor their sacrifice and continue their legacy by filling the pages ahead with our own passion and commitment.