Military of Vietnam

Military of Vietnam. The primary military force of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is the Vietnam People's Army (VPA), which traces its origins to the Indochina War. It is a core institution under the absolute leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and has played a decisive role in national history, most notably during the Vietnam War. The modern VPA is a combined force focused on safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, including in the South China Sea.

History

The military's origins lie in the Vietnam Propaganda Unit for National Liberation, established by Hồ Chí Minh and Võ Nguyên Giáp in 1944. It achieved its first major victory against France at the Battle of Điện Biên Phủ, leading to the Geneva Accords. The Vietnam War saw the VPA and the Viet Cong engage United States Armed Forces and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam in pivotal campaigns like the Tet Offensive and the Ho Chi Minh Campaign. Following Reunification Day, it was involved in the Cambodian–Vietnamese War and the Sino-Vietnamese War. Since the Đổi Mới reforms, it has shifted towards modernization and professionalization while maintaining its foundational political role.

Organization

The VPA is organized under the direct command of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the state management of the Ministry of National Defence (Vietnam). The main combat branches are the Vietnam People's Ground Force, the Vietnam People's Navy, and the Vietnam People's Air Force. Key specialized forces include the Vietnam Border Guard, the Vietnam Coast Guard, and the Cybersecurity Command. The country is divided into military regions, including the 1st Military Region and the 7th Military Region, with major commands like the Hanoi Capital Command and the High Command of the Vietnam People's Navy.

Personnel

The VPA maintains a large active-duty force supplemented by an extensive reserve system and a universal conscription policy for males. Key leadership positions are held by senior party members, such as General Phan Văn Giang and Senior Lieutenant General Nguyễn Tân Cương. The Political General Department ensures ideological education throughout the ranks. Training is conducted at academies like the National Defense Academy (Vietnam) and the Vietnam Military Medical University. The force also engages in international training exercises with partners like Russia and participates in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Equipment

The military's inventory is a mix of Soviet-era legacy systems and modern acquisitions. The ground forces operate main battle tanks like the T-90 and T-54/T-55, while the navy fields frigates such as the Gepard-class frigate and Kilo-class submarine. The air force utilizes aircraft including the Su-30MK2 and is acquiring the Su-57. Modernization efforts focus on domestic production by entities like the Viettel Group and foreign procurement from suppliers including Israel, which provides SPYDER missile systems, and India, which has transferred the BrahMos missile.

Budget and expenditures

The official defense budget is managed by the Ministry of Finance (Vietnam) and approved by the National Assembly of Vietnam. Spending has increased steadily to support modernization, with significant allocations for naval and air capabilities. A portion of the budget is directed towards the military's extensive commercial network, managed by the Vietnam National Defense and Security Industry Council, which includes conglomerates like the Vietnam Rubber Group. Detailed expenditure is not fully transparent, but investments are focused on strategic domains like cybersecurity and maritime domain awareness.

Role in society

Beyond national defense, the military plays a profound socio-economic and political role. It operates a vast network of business enterprises through the Vietnam People's Army Economic Corporation, involved in sectors from telecommunications to construction. The Political General Department oversees ideological work within the ranks and the populace. The VPA is frequently mobilized for disaster relief and major infrastructure projects, reinforcing its image as the "army of the people." Its veterans, particularly from the Vietnam War, hold a revered place in national history and culture.