In 1963 , the Ngô family 's grip on power became unstuck during the Buddhist crisis , during which the nation 's Buddhist majority rose up against the pro-Catholic regime . Nhu tried to break the Buddhists ' opposition by using the Special Forces in raids on prominent Buddhist temples that left hundreds dead , and framing the regular army for it . However , Nhu 's plan was uncovered , which intensified plots by military officers , encouraged by the Americans , who turned against the Ngô family after the pagoda attacks . Nhu was aware of the plots , but remained confident he could outmaneuver them , and began to plot a counter-coup , as well as the assassinations of US Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. and other American and opposition figures . Nhu was fooled by the loyalist General Tôn Thất Đính , who had turned against the Ngô family . On 1 November 1963 , the coup proceeded , and the Ngô brothers ( Nhu and Diệm ) were detained and assassinated the next day
raids on prominent Buddhist temples
Xá Lợi Pagoda raids
Ngô Đình Nhu