Vietnam People's Ground Force

Vietnam People's Ground Force. It is the main land-based military branch of the Vietnam People's Army, forming the core of the nation's defensive capabilities. Tracing its origins to the Vietnam Propaganda Unit for National Liberation established by Ho Chi Minh in 1944, it has been central to the country's modern military history. The force is organized under the Ministry of National Defence and headquartered in Hanoi, with a primary mission of defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

History

The force's origins lie in the Vietnam Propaganda Unit for National Liberation, founded on 22 December 1944 in the Cao Bằng Province forests under the guidance of Võ Nguyên Giáp. It played a decisive role in the First Indochina War, culminating in the landmark Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954 that led to the Geneva Accords. During the Vietnam War, it engaged in major campaigns like the Tet Offensive, the Easter Offensive, and the final Ho Chi Minh Campaign which resulted in the Fall of Saigon. Following reunification, it was deployed extensively during the Cambodian–Vietnamese War to depose the Khmer Rouge regime and subsequently fought a brief but intense border conflict with China in the Sino-Vietnamese War of 1979. Since the Doi Moi reforms, it has focused on modernization while maintaining a strong defensive posture along its borders with Laos, Cambodia, and China.

Organization

The Ground Force is structured into several military regions, including the Capital Military Region and key commands like the 1st Corps and 2nd Corps. Its main combat formations consist of infantry divisions, armored brigades, artillery brigades, and specialized units such as Special Forces and Engineering Corps. Operational command flows from the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army in Hanoi down to regional headquarters and individual units. Key training and support institutions include the Vietnam Military Medical University and the Military Science Academy.

Equipment

The force operates a diverse inventory primarily of Soviet and Russian-origin designs, supplemented by aging U.S. equipment captured during the Vietnam War and increasingly modern indigenous and imported systems. Main battle tanks include the T-54/T-55, T-62, and more modern T-90S. Infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers are represented by the BMP-1, BMP-2, and BTR-60. Artillery systems range from towed pieces like the D-20 and M-46 to multiple rocket launchers such as the BM-21 Grad and the indigenous MRL-122. Air defense relies on systems like the ZSU-23-4 and man-portable 9K38 Igla. Modernization efforts have seen acquisitions of the T-90S from Rosoboronexport and the development of local variants.

Personnel and training

The force maintains an active strength of approximately 412,000 personnel, supported by a large reserve component and paramilitary forces like the Vietnam People's Public Security. Conscription under the Law on Military Service mandates a two-year service period for eligible males. Officer education is conducted at academies such as the Military Academy of Vietnam in Hanoi and the Dalat Military Academy. Specialized training occurs at institutions like the Armor Officer Training School and the Infantry Officer School. Joint exercises, including the biennial Vietnam International Defense Exhibition, and drills with partners like the Russian Ground Forces and the Indian Army are key to maintaining operational readiness.

Role and deployments

Its primary role is the defense of national territory, with significant forces stationed in the Central Highlands and along sensitive borders, particularly near the South China Sea and the China–Vietnam border. It provides disaster relief support during events like the 2020 Central Vietnam floods and maintains a permanent presence in the Spratly Islands. The force also participates in United Nations peacekeeping operations, deploying units to missions in the Central African Republic and South Sudan. It regularly engages in bilateral exercises with partners such as the People's Liberation Army Ground Force and the United States Army as part of Vietnam's comprehensive defense diplomacy.

Category:Military of Vietnam Category:Ground forces