military and political leader who participated in a successful coup d'état against the South Vietnamese dictator, President Ngo Dinh Diem, in 1963 and served briefly as president of South Vietnam in 1964.

Khanh served in the French colonial army until 1954 and rose through the ranks of the Vietnamese army to become chief of staff to General Duong Van Minh. He joined Minh and other high military officials in assassinating Diem on Nov. 1, 1963, and led a countercoup against Minh in 1964. Khanh administered the government of South Vietnam in January–October 1964. His regime was undermined by several coups; he himself resigned once. After General Nguyen Cao Ky took control of the government in February 1965, Khanh was named roving ambassador but was, in effect, exiled to the United States.