Nguyễn Cao Kỳ papers

This is the text of the speech given by Kỳ over Saigon Radio. Kỳ addressed a nation that, in addition to being at war, was roiled by turmoil led by Buddhist monks, students, and even some military units who were protesting Kỳ's dismissal of General Nguyễn Chánh Thi. Kỳ' tried to reassure the South Vietnamese people that his administration shared their goals for peace, stability, and progress.

Kỳ's speech calls for unity among Asian nations to fight aggression and support peace. He argues that South Vietnam’s battle was not just a local conflict but part of a global struggle against communist ideology, and that victory requires both military strength and social reform to eliminate poverty, corruption, and injustice.

In his speech Kỳ thanks journalists for their reporting of South Vietnam’s recent elections and describes them as a morale boost for both the people and the military. He outlines the government’s progress on three major goals: improving rural security, stabilizing the economy, and building democracy through a new constitution and elected government. Kỳ concludes by expressing confidence that South Vietnam would achieve both political and military victories.

This speech was delivered at a summit on the military and political situation in Vietnam and the path to peace. The summit was held in the Philippines and was attended by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and leaders from the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and South Vietnam.

Kỳ's speech reviews South Vietnam’s situation during the war and outlines his government’s key policies. He describes the continuing struggle against Communist forces, and efforts to strengthen the military, economy, and society through rural pacification, education, and land reform. Kỳ emphasizes national unity, discipline, and democracy as the foundations for defeating Communism and building a peaceful, independent South Vietnam.

South Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Cao Kỳ shakes hands with some of the more than 300 Australians who greeted him in Brisbane, Australia. Kỳ traveled to Australia seeking to bolster Australia's continued support for the Vietnam War.

Kỳ's remarks upon arrival in New Zealand praise New Zealand's combat troops and medical support personnel serving in Vietnam.

These remarks, delivered at the Guam Conference on Vietnam, addressed U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and American government and military officials. In his speech, Kỳ highlights progress in South Vietnam’s fight against the Viet Cong and the country’s move toward democracy. He praises U.S. air support, especially B-52 bombings, and details programs like land reform and the “Chieu Hoi” initiative which offered amnesty and reintegration to former Viet Cong soldiers.

Kỳ and his wife are shown walking in front of a crowd through the Dong Ba Hue Market in South Vietnam.

Kỳ and Nixon are shown shaking hands. At the time, Nixon was a former U.S. vice president and had not yet announced his intention to run for U.S. president in the 1968 election.

The interview discusses South Vietnam’s Revolutionary Development Program, which aimed to strengthen rural security and win over villagers during the Vietnam War. General Thắng explained that success depended on destroying the Viet Cong’s underground networks, building honest local governments, and empowering villagers to defend themselves.