Editing Vietnam War (section)

===Campaign 275===
{{See also|1975 spring offensive|Battle of Ban Me Thuot|Hue–Da Nang Campaign}}
[[File:PAVN Captures Hue, Vietnam.jpg|thumb|The capture of Hue, March 1975]]
On 10 March 1975, Dũng launched Campaign 275, a limited offensive into the Central Highlands, supported by tanks and heavy artillery. The target was [[Battle of Ban Me Thuot|Ban Ma Thuột]]; if the town could be taken, the provincial capital Pleiku and the road to the coast, would be exposed for a campaign in 1976. The ARVN proved incapable of resisting the onslaught, and its forces collapsed. Again, Hanoi was surprised by the speed of their success. Dung urged the Politburo to allow him to seize Pleiku immediately and turn his attention to [[Kon Tum]]. He argued that with two months of good weather until onset of the monsoon, it would be irresponsible not to take advantage.<ref name=Tucker/>{{Rp|}}

Thiệu, a former general, ordered the abandonment of the Central Highlands and less defensible positions in a rushed policy described as "light at the top, heavy at the bottom". While the bulk of ARVN forces attempted to flee, isolated units fought desperately. ARVN general Phu abandoned Pleiku and Kon Tum and retreated toward the coast, in what became known as the "convoy of tears".<ref name=Hastings/>{{Rp|693–694}} On 20 March, Thiệu reversed himself and ordered Huế, Vietnam's third-largest city, be held at all costs, and then changed policy several times. As the PAVN launched their attack, panic set in, and ARVN resistance withered. On 22 March, the PAVN [[Hue–Da Nang Campaign|attacked Huế]]. Civilians flooded the airport and docks hoping for escape. As resistance in Huế collapsed, PAVN rockets rained down on Da Nang and its airport. By 28 March 35,000 PAVN troops were poised to attack the suburbs. By 30 March 100,000 leaderless ARVN troops surrendered as the PAVN marched through Da Nang. With the fall of the city, the defense of the Central Highlands and Northern provinces ended.<ref name=Hastings/>{{Rp|699–700}}