Summary
The Vietnam War was a conflict between North and South Vietnam and their respective allies. Many historians considered the Vietnam conflict as a proxy war, one of several that occurred during the Cold War between the United States and its Western allies and the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China. North Vietnam's allies included the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam, the Soviet Union and the People' s Republic of China. South Vietnam's main allies included the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea. The US and its allies were engaged in the war from 1959 to 1973. However, the war continued until April 30, 1975, ending with the capitulation of South Vietnam.