 The operation would involve a preliminary phase , during which diversionary attacks would be launched in the border areas of South Vietnam to draw American attention and forces away from the cities . The General Offensive , General Uprising would then commence with simultaneous actions on major allied bases and most urban areas , and with particular emphasis on the cities of Saigon and Huế . Concurrently , a substantial threat would have to be made against the U.S. combat base at Khe Sanh . The Khe Sanh actions would draw North Vietnamese forces away from the offensive into the cities , but Giáp considered them necessary in order to protect his supply lines and divert American attention . Attacks on other U.S. forces were of secondary , or even tertiary importance , since Giáp considered his main objective to be weakening or destroying the South Vietnamese military and government through popular revolt . The offensive , therefore was aimed at influencing the South Vietnamese public , not that of the U.S. There is conflicting evidence as to whether , or to what extent , the offensive was intended to influence either the March primaries or the November presidential election in the U.S. 
