The Vietnam War was a prolonged conflict that lasted from 1955 to 1975, primarily involving North Vietnam and South Vietnam, with significant involvement from the United States. The war was rooted in the struggle against communism and led to widespread devastation and loss of life. The conflict resulted in millions of casualties and had lasting effects on both Vietnam and the United States. It sparked widespread protests and debates over military intervention, shaping public opinion and policy in the years that followed. The war officially ended with the fall of Saigon in 1975, leading to the reunification of Vietnam.