The “Ấp Tân Sinh” Model in U.S. and Sài Gòn Regime Pacification Programs in Southern Vietnam (1964-1965)

Abstract

Between 1964 and 1965, alongside the formulation of a “priority” pacification program, the Sài Gòn government and military, under the leadership of various factions of generals and politicians, developed and implemented a new resettlement model known as ấp Tân sinh. This model was essentially an adaptation of the earlier Strategic Hamlet Program, revised in terms of ideology, content, principles, organizational methods, and implementation tactics. In practice, however, ấp Tân sinh served as a temporary measure, heavily driven by propaganda and populist rhetoric, employed by the post-Ngô Đình Diệm regimes to gain American support. The program quickly collapsed due to the internal limitations of the Sài Gòn government and military, as well as the widespread resistance and sabotage efforts led by the armed forces and people of the South under the direction of the Central Office for South Vietnam (Trung ương Cục miền Nam).