What was life like for the average citizen during and after the Fall of Saigon?

by clowncarl

April 30th was apparently the fall of Saigon. I always wondered what happened to South Vietnamese in the city after the fall. My impression is that there was great clamor for Vietnamese to get visas and escape to the U.S. Were those left behind subject to great prosecution, or just party officials, or were they all pardoned? Did the quality of life plummet?

Bernardito

I've written extensively on the topic here, but you are more than welcome to ask specific questions! :)