ABSTRACT
This chapter provides insight into the administration of Prime Minister Phan Huy Quát (from February 16, 1965 to June 18, 1965) with a focus on the cabinet crisis of May 1965, which resulted in the return of power to the military. Dr. Phan Huy Quát, a Đại Việt Party leader from its Northern Faction, was one of the most experienced politicians, who had held several cabinet positions in the previous governments of Vietnam. He was successful in forming a government that represented a good balance of regional and political orientation. However, because he had the support of the Buddhists, he was automatically opposed by the Catholics. Only three days after the installation of his government, a military coup was attempted by the Catholic Colonel Phạm Ngọc Thảo. A second coup attempt happened on May 20, 1965. The cabinet crisis happened when Prime Minister Quát reshuffled his Cabinet. At the ceremony for the introduction of his new cabinet, Chief of State Phan Khắc Sửu refused to give his approvals to two new ministers, citing as reasons the lack of resignations by the two former ministers. This small difference in technicality exploded into a big political crisis, with both sides refusing to make concessions, which finally led to the resignation of Prime Minister Quát’s cabinet, the collapse of the promising civilian government, and the return to power of the military in South Vietnam. It is also noteworthy that it was under this administration that the first American combat troops, two US Marine Battalions, landed in Đà Nẵng on March 8, 1965.
