What was the experience of the people of Vietnam during the Vietnam War?

Most people tend to forget that the Vietnam War was primarily a Civil War, which the United States also happened to be involved in.  This means there was a great deal of suffering on both the northern and southern sides in this war, much as it was for the US in its Civil War.

North Vietnamese not only had to deal with shortages, privations, the loss of hundreds of thousands of its citizens, family members, husbands, brothers, sons, but it also had to deal with a long term bombing campaign that obliterated cities, ports, transportation and the economy.

In the South, citizens lived under an often brutal and dictatorial government, backed by the United States.  They faced cities overcrowded with refugees, and many times found themselves caught in between opposing sides in the war, often punished by both.

Civilians suffered horribly in this war.