| Vinh wiretap | |
|---|---|
| Part of Vietnam War | |
| Type | Espionage mission |
| Location | |
| Planned by | CIA |
| Objective | Establish a wiretap, spy on North Vietnam |
| Date | December 7, 1972—early May 1973 |
| Executed by | Daniel H. Smith and Lloyd George Anthony Lamonte Jr., Lao commandos, CIA |
| Outcome | Intelligence established until early May 1973 |
The Vinh wiretap was an American espionage operation of the Vietnam War. From 7 December 1972 through early May 1973, CIA telephone intercepts of North Vietnamese military communications were supplied to American diplomat Henry Kissinger. As border phone lines were well watched, the decision was made to tap a military multiplex line in the Vietnamese heartland near Vinh. The CIA used a black helicopter to set a clandestine wiretap to eavesdrop on Paris Peace Talks discussions and other intelligence.