At which parallel did the Geneva Accords partition Vietnam?

• A. The 17th parallel
• B. The 13th parallel
• C. The 7th parallel
• D. The 21st parallel

Answer: (A)

The main point is that the Geneva Accords drew a temporary boundary at the 17th parallel to divide Vietnam into two zones, with a demilitarized zone between them and elections planned for 1956 to reunify the country. This arrangement was meant to end the First Indochina War by allowing phased withdrawal of foreign troops and a peaceful transfer of power, while giving Vietnam a chance to choose its future through nationwide elections. In practice, the elections were never held, and the division solidified into a long-lasting split between the communist-led north and the anti-communist south, helping set the stage for later conflict. The 17th parallel is the line associated with this partition; the other parallels mentioned did not serve as the dividing line in the Geneva framework.