Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 2' (Apr. 28, 1955, at 12:20)

(Thursday, April 28, 1955; during the Cold War) — The Battle of Saigon, a month-long battle between the Vietnamese National Army of the State of Vietnam (later to become the Army of the Republic of Vietnam) and the private army of the Bình Xuyên organised crime syndicate, began today.

Fighting was mostly concentrated in the inner city Chinese business district of Cholon. The densely crowded area saw some 500-1000 deaths and up to 20,000 civilians made homeless in the cross-fire.

In the end, the Bình Xuyên were decisively defeated, their army disbanded and their vice operations collapsed.