- The Tet Offensive demonstrated that the US did not have a clear understanding of the enemy’s capabilities and fighting methods.
- US intelligence failed to anticipate the scale and coordination of the attacks, leading to a significant loss of American soldiers and public support for the war.
The NVA was capable of launching large-scale attacks
- The NVA surprised American forces by quickly capturing several major cities in South Vietnam.
- Although the US eventually won back these cities, the NVA’s success proved their tactical prowess and demonstrated that the war would be much longer and more difficult than initially anticipated.
The war effort would not be won by military means alone
- The Tet Offensive shattered the illusion of a quick and decisive victory in Vietnam.
- As a political offensive, it also demonstrated that military success would not be enough to win the war: American public opinion increasingly turned against the war as news of the escalating violence reached their homes.