Did the Saigon government or the Vietcong control more of South Vietnam?

During the Vietnam War, the Vietcong, also known as the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam, controlled significant rural areas and had substantial influence over the local population. However, the Saigon government, backed by the United States, maintained control over major urban centers and key strategic locations. While the Vietcong had a strong presence in the countryside, the Saigon government retained nominal authority over larger territories, especially in urban regions until the eventual fall of Saigon in 1975. Overall, the balance of control varied over time, with the Vietcong gaining ground particularly in the later years of the conflict.