Vietnam By 1316877 1950 Democratic Republic of Vietnam is recognized by China and USSR. 1954 Vietnam is split into North and South at Geneva conference. 1956 South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem begins campaign against political dissidents. 1957 Beginning of Communist insurgency in the South. 1959 Weapons and men from North Vietnam began infiltrating the South. 1960 American aid to Diem increased. 1962 Number of advisers rise to 12,000 1965 200,000 american combat troops arrive in south Vietnam 1966 US troop numbers in Vietnam rise to 400,000 to 500,000 the following year. 1975 North Vietnamese troops invade South Vietnam and take control of the whole country after South Vietnamese President Duong Van Minh surrenders.