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Wars (battles) are dictated by terrain. Korea was a peninsula and was easily isolated, as the US Navy controlled the seas. Communist North Korea could only re-supply from it's northern borders. Vietnam was NOT a peninsula, and could re-supply their war effort for as long as they wanted to. The only way to defeat them would have been to widen the war and involve other countries, in order to stop their flow of men and material into South Vietnam. The US did NOT want to make a bigger war. So we ended it, by leaving.

U.S. forces successfully defended South Vietnam from the time they entered the country in 1959 through 1973 when they left. They perfected helicopter warfare against guerrilla tactics.

The U.S. had total air and sea dominance in the south as well.

South Vietnam fell to the North Vietnamese communist forces a full two years after the U.S. left Vietnam.

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The terrain and weather were a big factor as Viet Congs were believed to be more skilled in jungle combat (their home land advantage?). Plus, Vietnam got the necessary support from China.

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Q: Why was the U.S not be successful in South Vietnam?
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