Vietnam People's Army

Vietnam People's Army. The Vietnam People's Army is the military force of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and a core component of the People's Armed Forces. Tracing its origins to the Viet Minh's armed propaganda units, it played a decisive role in the First Indochina War against French colonial rule and the Vietnam War against the United States and the Republic of Vietnam. Under the absolute leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, it is tasked with defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity, including in the South China Sea.

History

The force was formally established on 22 December 1944 by Võ Nguyên Giáp with an initial platoon of 34 soldiers, evolving from the Viet Minh's armed struggle. It achieved its first major victory at the Battle of Điện Biên Phủ in 1954, leading to the Geneva Accords. During the Vietnam War, units like the Viet Cong and the People's Army of Vietnam fought campaigns including the Tet Offensive and the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, culminating in the Fall of Saigon. Following reunification, it was involved in the Cambodian–Vietnamese War, the Sino-Vietnamese War, and has since modernized its doctrine and international engagements, including participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Organization and structure

The overall command is exercised by the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam, with the Ministry of National Defence as the executive body. The main service branches are the Ground Force, the Vietnam People's Navy, the Vietnam People's Air Force, the Vietnam Border Guard, and the Vietnam Coast Guard. Operational command flows through the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, with the country divided into military regions like the Capital Military Region and the 7th Military Region. Key subordinate entities include the General Political Department and specialized arms such as the Cybersecurity Command.

Personnel and training

The force maintains a large active component supplemented by a vast reserve force and a nationwide Militia and Self-Defence Force. Conscription is mandatory for males under the Law on Military Service. Officer education is conducted at academies like the National Defence Academy and the Political Academy of the People's Army of Vietnam. Specialized training occurs at institutions such as the Army Officer Academy No. 1 and the Air Defence - Air Force Academy. Senior officers often study at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics. International training exchanges have been held with countries including Russia, India, and Japan.

Equipment and technology

Historically equipped by the Soviet Union and its allies, the inventory is now a mix of legacy and modern systems. The ground forces operate T-90 and T-54/T-55 tanks, and BM-21 Grad rocket artillery. The navy has acquired Gepard-class frigates and Kilo-class submarines from Russia, and builds Tarantul-class corvettes domestically. The air force fields Sukhoi Su-30 and Sukhoi Su-27 fighters, alongside Mil Mi-24 attack helicopters. Modernization efforts focus on domestic production by the Viettel Group and General Department of Defence Industry, and acquiring advanced systems like Bastion-P coastal defence missiles and enhancing C4ISTAR capabilities.

Role and missions

Its primary mission is to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Vietnam, with a significant focus on maritime domains like the East Sea. It supports the Communist Party of Vietnam in maintaining internal political stability. The army also engages in disaster relief, socio-economic development projects, and international defence diplomacy through forums like ADMM-Plus. Since 2014, it has contributed troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions in South Sudan and the Central African Republic. It regularly participates in bilateral and multilateral exercises, such as those with the United States Navy.

Category:Military of Vietnam Category:Communist armies Category:1944 establishments in Vietnam