6. Le Duan
After Ho Chi Minh’s death in 1969, Le Duan became the de facto leader of North Vietnam. He steered the Communist Party toward a relentless military campaign, advocating for the unification of Vietnam through force. His policies significantly shaped the war’s direction post-1965, leading to intensified military actions that culminated in the fall of Saigon in 1975. (britannica.com)
