8.5/101,143 votes#1 - Déjà Vu (1858-1961)
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/17/2017
After a century of French occupation, Vietnam emerges independent but divided into North and South.
Director: Ken Burns, Lynn Novick
Writer: Geoffrey C. Ward
8.6/10937 votes#2 - Riding the Tiger (1961-1963)
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 9/18/2017
As a communist insurgency gains strength, JFK wrestles with American involvement in South Vietnam.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.7/10879 votes#3 - The River Styx (January 1964-December 1965)
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 9/19/2017
With South Vietnam near collapse, LBJ begins bombing the North and sends US troops to the South.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.6/10801 votes#4 - Resolve (January 1966-June 1967)
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 9/20/2017
US soldiers discover Vietnam is unlike their fathers’ war, while the antiwar movement grows.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.6/10767 votes#5 - This Is What We Do (July 1967-December 1967)
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 9/21/2017
President Johnson escalates the war while promising the public that victory is in sight.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.8/10806 votes#6 - Things Fall Apart (January 1968-July 1968)
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 9/24/2017
Shaken by the Tet Offensive, assassinations and unrest, America seems to be coming apart.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.5/10727 votes#7 - The Veneer of Civilization (June 1968-May 1969)
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 9/25/2017
After chaos roils the Democratic Convention, Nixon, promising peace, narrowly wins the presidency.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.7/10716 votes#8 - The History of the World (April 1969-May 1970)
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 9/26/2017
Nixon withdraws troops but when he sends forces into Cambodia the antiwar movement reignites.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.7/10691 votes#9 - A Disrespectful Loyalty (May 1970-March 1973)
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 9/27/2017
South Vietnam fights on its own as Nixon and Kissinger find a way out for America. The POWs return.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.8/10715 votes#10 - The Weight of Memory (March 1973-Onward)
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 9/28/2017
Saigon falls and the war ends. Americans and Vietnamese from all sides search for reconciliation.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of The Vietnam War Season 1
Every episode of The Vietnam War Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Vietnam War Season 1!
An immersive 360-degree narrative telling the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never before been told on film. Featuring testimony from nearly...
Genres:DocumentaryWar & Politics
Network:PBS
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Déjà Vu (1858-1961)" is the best rated episode of "The Vietnam War" season 1. It scored 8.5/10 based on 1143 votes. Directed by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and written by Geoffrey C. Ward, it aired on 9/17/2017. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Riding the Tiger (1961-1963)".