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List of leaders of South Vietnam facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Reunification Palace - Office of the President of RVN
Office of the President of the Republic of Vietnam in Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon)

This article lists the main leaders of South Vietnam. South Vietnam was a country that existed from 1954 to 1975. It was formed when Vietnam was divided into two parts after a long war. This list covers leaders from the first government in 1946 until Vietnam became one country again in 1976. You will learn about the different people who were in charge during this important time in history.

Understanding the Leaders of South Vietnam

Colour key
(for political parties)

     Cochinchinese Democratic Party      Military (VNA / RVNMF)      Independent      Constitutional Party      Vietnamese Nationalist Party      Nationalist Party      Cần Lao Party      National Social Democratic Front      Democratic Party      Forces for National Reconciliation      National Liberation Front (Việt Cộng)

Who Were the Heads of State?

The Head of State is like the main representative of a country. They are often seen as the symbol of the nation.

State of Vietnam (1949–1955)

The first period was called the State of Vietnam. During this time, the top leader was known as the Chief of State.

No. Portrait Name
(Born-Died)
Time in Office Party
Started Ended How long
1 Baodai1.jpg Bảo Đại
(1912–1997)
13 June 1949 26 October 1955 6 years, 135 days Independent

First Republic of Vietnam (1955–1963)

After the State of Vietnam, the country became the First Republic of Vietnam. The main leader was called the President.

Quick facts for kids
President of South Vietnam
Presidential Standard of South Vietnam (1963–1975).svg
Presidential Standard
(1963-1975)
Seal of the President of the Republic of Vietnam (1963–1975) (Gold).svg
Seal of the President
(1963–75)
Residence Independence Palace, Saigon
Appointer Elected by people
Precursor Chief of the State of Vietnam
Formation 26 October 1955
First holder Ngô Đình Diệm
Final holder Dương Văn Minh
Abolished 30 April 1975
Succession Chairman of the Consultative Council of the Provisional Revolutionary Government
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Time in Office How long Party
1 President NGO-DINH-DIEM of the Republic of Viet-Nam.jpg Ngô Đình Diệm
(1901–1963)
26 October 1955 2 November 1963 8 years, 7 days Personalist Labor Revolutionary Party
Vice President

The Vice President helps the President and can take over if the President cannot do their job.

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Time in Office How long Party
1 Mr. Nguyễn Ngọc Thơ, Secretary of State for Economics.jpg Nguyễn Ngọc Thơ
(1908–1976)
18 December 1956 2 November 1963 6 years, 319 days Independent

Military Rule (1963–1967)

During this time, military leaders often held the real power, even if someone else was officially the Head of State.

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Time in Office Party Title
1 Portrait of Dương Văn Minh, Vietnam Fights and Builds No.1, July 1964.jpg Dương Văn Minh
(1916–2001)
2 November 1963 30 January 1964 Military Chief of State and
Chairman of Military Revolutionary Council
30 January 1964 16 August 1964 Chief of State
2 Nguyễn Khánh 1964.jpg Nguyễn Khánh
(1927–2013)
16 August 1964 27 August 1964 Military Chief of State and
Chairman of Military Revolutionary Council
*
Flag of the Republic of Vietnam Military Forces.svg Provisional Leadership Committee
(Minh, Khánh and Khiêm)
27 August 1964 8 September 1964 Military Provisional Leadership Committee
1 Portrait of Dương Văn Minh, Vietnam Fights and Builds No.1, July 1964.jpg Dương Văn Minh
(1916–2001)
8 September 1964 26 October 1964 Military Chief of State and
Chairman of Provisional Leadership Committee
3 Portrait of Phan Khắc Sửu, Chief of State.jpg Phan Khắc Sửu
(1893–1970)
26 October 1964 20 December 1964 Independent Chief of State and
Chairman of High National Council
20 December 1964 12 June 1965 Chief of State
4 Official Portrait of Nguyễn Văn Thiệu, President of the Republic of Vietnam (cropped).jpg Nguyễn Văn Thiệu
(1923–2001)
19 June 1965 31 October 1967 Military Chief of State and
Chairman of National Leadership Committee

Second Republic of Vietnam (1967–1975)

This was the final period of South Vietnam as a republic.

Presidents
Number Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Time in Office How long Party
2 Official Portrait of Nguyễn Văn Thiệu, President of the Republic of Vietnam (cropped).jpg Nguyễn Văn Thiệu
(1923–2001)
31 October 1967 21 April 1975 7 years, 172 days National Social Democratic Front
3 越南前總理陳文香.jpg Trần Văn Hương
(1902–1982)
21 April 1975 28 April 1975 7 days National Social Democratic Front
4 Portrait of Dương Văn Minh, Vietnam Fights and Builds No.1, July 1964.jpg Dương Văn Minh
(1916–2001)
28 April 1975 30 April 1975 2 days Military
Vice Presidents
Number Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Time in Office How long Party
2 USIA 66-1476.jpg Nguyễn Cao Kỳ
(1930–2011)
31 October 1967 29 October 1971 3 years, 363 days National Social Democratic Front
3 越南前總理陳文香.jpg Trần Văn Hương
(1902–1982)
31 October 1971 21 April 1975 3 years, 172 days National Social Democratic Front
4 Portrait of Lawyer Nguyễn Văn Huyền.jpg Nguyễn Văn Huyền
(1913–1995)
28 April 1975 30 April 1975 2 days Independent

Provisional Revolutionary Government (1969–1976)

This government was formed during the Vietnam War and claimed to be the true government of South Vietnam.

Chairman of the Consultative Council
Number Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Time in Office How long Party
1 Nguyễn Hữu Thọ.jpg Nguyễn Hữu Thọ
(1910–1996)
8 June 1969 2 July 1976 7 years, 24 days National Liberation Front

Who Were the Heads of Government?

The Head of Government, often called the Prime Minister, is in charge of the daily running of the government.

Prime Minister of South Vietnam
Flag of South Vietnam.svg
Flag of the Republic of Vietnam
(1948–75)
Coat of arms of the Republic of Vietnam (1963–1975).svg
Coat of Arms of the Republic of Vietnam
(1963–75)
Government of South Vietnam
Residence Gia Long Palace (1946–55)
Appointer Emperor (1949–55)
President (1963–75)
Precursor Prime Minister of the Empire of Vietnam
Formation 1 June 1946
4 November 1963
First holder Nguyễn Văn Thinh
Final holder Vũ Văn Mẫu
Abolished 26 October 1955
30 April 1975
Succession Chairman of the Provisional Revolutionary Government
No. Portrait Name
(Born-Died)
Time in Office Party
Started Ended How long
Prime Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Cochinchina
(1946–1948)
1 Dr. Nguyễn Văn Thinh.png Nguyễn Văn Thinh
(1888–1946)
1 June 1946 10 November 1946 162 days Cochinchinese Democratic Party
2 Portrait de Lê Văn Hoạch en 1948.jpg Lê Văn Hoạch
(1896–1978)
7 December 1946 8 October 1947 305 days Independent
3 Nguyễn Văn Xuân, Lưu Đức Trung, Nghiêm Văn Trí, Trần Văn Lý Phan Văn Giáo Ngô Đình Diệm (cropped).jpg Nguyễn Văn Xuân
(1892–1989)
8 October 1947 27 May 1948 232 days Military
Chief of the government of the Provisional Central Government
(1948–1949)
3 Nguyễn Văn Xuân, Lưu Đức Trung, Nghiêm Văn Trí, Trần Văn Lý Phan Văn Giáo Ngô Đình Diệm (cropped).jpg Nguyễn Văn Xuân
(1892–1989)
27 May 1948 14 June 1949 1 year, 18 days Military
Prime Ministers of the State of Vietnam
(1949–1955)
1 Baodai1.jpg Bảo Đại
(1912–1997)
14 June 1949 20 January 1950 220 days Independent
2 Nguyễn Phan Long in 1950.jpg Nguyễn Phan Long
(1888–1960)
20 January 1950 7 May 1950 107 days Constitutional Party
3 Trần Văn Hữu.jpg Trần Văn Hữu
(1896–1984)
7 May 1950 3 June 1952 2 years, 27 days Independent
4 Mr. Nguyen Van Tam.jpg Nguyễn Văn Tâm
(1893–1990)
25 June 1952 17 December 1953 1 year, 175 days Nationalist Party
5 Prince Buu Loc.jpg Nguyễn Phúc Bửu Lộc
(1914–1990)
17 December 1953 16 June 1954 181 days Independent
6 President NGO-DINH-DIEM of the Republic of Viet-Nam.jpg Ngô Đình Diệm
(1901–1963)
16 June 1954 26 October 1955 1 year, 132 days Personalist Labor Revolutionary Party
Prime Ministers of the Republic of Vietnam
(1955–1975)
Position removed
(26 October 1955 – 4 November 1963)
1 Mr. Nguyễn Ngọc Thơ, Secretary of State for Economics.jpg Nguyễn Ngọc Thơ
(1908–1976)
4 November 1963 30 January 1964 87 days Independent
2 Nguyễn Khánh 1964.jpg Nguyễn Khánh
(1927–2013)
8 February 1964 29 August 1964 203 days Military
Nguyễn Xuân Oánh, Viet-Nam Bulletin Viet-Nam info series.jpg Nguyễn Xuân Oánh
(1921–2003)
(Acting)
29 August 1964 3 September 1964 5 days Independent
(2) Nguyễn Khánh 1964.jpg Nguyễn Khánh
(1927–2013)
3 September 1964 26 October 1964 62 days Military
Portrait of Phan Khắc Sửu, Chief of State.jpg Phan Khắc Sửu
(1893–1970)
(Acting)
26 October 1964 3 November 1964 8 days Independent
3 越南前總理陳文香.jpg Trần Văn Hương
(1902–1982)
4 November 1964 27 January 1965 84 days Independent
Nguyễn Xuân Oánh, Viet-Nam Bulletin Viet-Nam info series.jpg Nguyễn Xuân Oánh
(1921–2003)
(Acting)
28 January 1965 15 February 1965 18 days Independent
4 Phan Huy Quat.jpg Phan Huy Quát
(1908–1979)
16 February 1965 12 June 1965 116 days Nationalist Party
5 USIA 66-1476.jpg Nguyễn Cao Kỳ
(1930–2011)
19 June 1965 28 October 1967 2 years, 131 days Military
6 Nguyen Van Loc (1968).jpg Nguyễn Văn Lộc
(1922–1992)
31 October 1967 18 May 1968 200 days Independent
7 越南前總理陳文香.jpg Trần Văn Hương
(1902–1982)
25 May 1968 22 August 1969 1 year, 89 days Independent
8 越南駐華大使陳善謙 (cropped).jpg Trần Thiện Khiêm
(1925–2021)
23 August 1969 4 April 1975 5 years, 224 days National Social Democratic Front
9 Nguyen Ba Can (1968).jpg Nguyễn Bá Cẩn
(1930–2009)
4 April 1975 28 April 1975 24 days National Social Democratic Front
10 19600113武文牡.jpg Vũ Văn Mẫu
(1914–1998)
28 April 1975 30 April 1975 2 days Forces for National Reconciliation
Chairman of government Provisional Revolutionary Government
of the Republic of South Vietnam
(1969–1976)
1 HuynhTanPhat.jpg Huỳnh Tấn Phát
(1913–1989)
6 June 1969 2 July 1976 7 years, 26 days National Liberation Front

Symbols of South Vietnam

These are some of the important symbols used by the leaders and government of South Vietnam.

Presidential Standards

Official Document Seals

These seals were used on important government papers and documents.

Podium Seals

These seals were often placed on podiums where leaders gave speeches.

See also

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