Vietnam’s Ground Forces: A Pillar of National Peace
28-06-2025
The parade commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and National Reunification.
Vietnam’s Ground Forces: A “Bronze Foot, Iron Shoulder” Steadfastly Protecting the Homeland and Contributing to Global Peace
The Vietnam People’s Army Ground Forces, with over 80 years of history evolving from small self-defense units and guerrillas, have become a formidable branch, playing a pivotal role in every national liberation struggle. From resounding victories on land to its current mission of safeguarding border and island sovereignty and participating in international peacekeeping, the Vietnamese Ground Forces have consistently served as a “bronze foot, iron shoulder,” a firm pillar for the people and the nation, while contributing to humanity’s shared mission of preserving peace.
SPECIAL OUTLINE
Get an immediate grasp of our article’s core and structure through these key highlights:
Obtain an overview of Vietnam’s Ground Forces today, including their organizational structure, corps, divisions, and specialized branches like Infantry, Artillery, and Special Forces.
Explore the key equipment and weaponry utilized by Vietnam’s Ground Forces, ranging from tanks and armored vehicles to artillery, infantry weapons, and air defense systems.
Understand the strength and multifaceted role of Vietnam’s Ground Forces, encompassing their extensive combat experience, diverse combat capabilities, unique logistics, and active participation in international peacekeeping.
EMBRACE THE UNYIELDING STRENGTH AND ENDURING SPIRIT OF VIETNAM’S GROUND FORCES, THE “BRONZE FOOT, IRON SHOULDER” STEADFASTLY SAFEGUARDING THE HOMELAND AND ADVANCING GLOBAL PEACE!
Now! Let’s delve into the core capabilities and unwavering commitment of Vietnam’s vital Ground Forces!
1. Overview of Vietnam’s Ground Forces Today
The Ground Forces constitute the largest branch of the Vietnam People’s Army, organized into corps, military regions, divisions, brigades, and specialized units. This force is equipped with a diverse range of weaponry, from individual infantry arms to modern artillery, armored vehicles, engineering, special forces, chemical, and communication systems.
Organization:
Corps/Military Regions: These are operational-strategic level units, ensuring independent or large-scale coordinated combat capabilities.
Divisions/Brigades: Primary tactical units, flexible in deployment and mission execution.
Specialized Branches/Services:
Infantry: The basic, most numerous combat force.
Artillery: The “God of War” of the Ground Forces, providing effective suppression fire and support.
Armor: The “steel fist” on the battlefield, capable of powerful breakthroughs and target neutralization.
Special Forces (Đặc công): Elite units specializing in clandestine, infiltration, and high-impact surprise missions.
Engineers: Responsible for military construction, obstacle clearance, and pathfinding.
Chemical Corps: Specializes in countering weapons of mass destruction and handling environmental incidents.
Signal Corps: Ensures seamless command, control, and communication operations.
Vietnam’s Ground Forces: A “Bronze Foot, Iron Shoulder” Steadfastly Protecting the Homeland and Contributing to Global Peace.
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2. Key Equipment of Vietnam’s Ground Forces (Updated)
Vietnam’s Ground Forces are currently undergoing modernization, prioritizing the upgrade of existing weapons and the acquisition of new equipment to enhance combat power.
Tanks – Armored Vehicles:
T-90S/SK Tanks: Approximately 64 units (estimated data). These are currently Vietnam’s most modern main battle tanks, equipped with Relikt explosive reactive armor, advanced fire control systems, and a 125mm gun capable of firing anti-tank guided missiles. The T-90 is considered the “backbone” of Vietnam’s modern armored force.
T-54/55 Tanks (upgraded): A large number (several hundred units), many of which have been upgraded with additional armor and new fire control systems to extend their service life and improve effectiveness.
T-62 Tanks: A smaller number, primarily in reserve or used for training.
BTR-60/152/BRDM-2 Armored Vehicles: Common types of armored personnel carriers and reconnaissance vehicles.
BTR-80A Armored Vehicles: A smaller, more modern number, serving special units or peacekeeping forces.
Artillery:
2S1 Gvozdika Self-Propelled Howitzers (122mm): Enhances the mobility and firepower of the artillery.
D-30 (122mm), M-46 (130mm), D-20 (152mm) Towed Howitzers: Traditional artillery pieces that still play a crucial role in providing long-range fire support.
BM-21 Grad Multiple Rocket Launch Systems (122mm): Rocket artillery systems with significant destructive power, capable of creating a “steel rain” over a wide area.
Various Mortars: Ranging from 60mm, 82mm to 120mm, providing close-range fire and infantry support.
Infantry Weapons and Anti-Tank Systems:
Assault Rifles: AK-47/AKM, Galil ACE (Vietnamese variant is STL-1A).
Machine Guns: PKM, RPD.
Individual Anti-Tank Weapons: RPG-7, B-41.
Anti-Tank Guided Missiles: Metis-M (AT-13), Konkurs (AT-5), Fagot (AT-4). These are crucial weapons for countering modern enemy tanks.
Ground Force Air Defense Systems:
Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS): Igla-S, SA-7/14/16/18.
Low/Medium-Range Air Defense Missiles: OSA-AKM (SA-8), Strela-10 (SA-13).
Vietnamese Special Operations Forces demonstrate Recorded on this Video
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3. Strength and Role of Vietnam’s Ground Forces
Extensive Combat Experience: The Vietnamese Ground Forces are among the few armies globally with actual combat experience spanning multiple national liberation wars, from guerrilla warfare to large-scale conventional warfare. This has forged a unique resilience, adaptability, and distinct art of war.
Diverse Combat Capabilities: The Vietnamese Ground Forces are trained for operations in various environments: jungles, plains, urban areas, and even amphibious assaults (in coordination with the Navy).
“On-site” and “Long-term” Logistics: Following the principle of “defeating the many with the few, the strong with the weak,” the Vietnamese Ground Forces have developed a unique, flexible logistics system, ensuring sustained combat capability under all conditions.
Participation in International Peacekeeping:
In recent years, the Vietnam People’s Army, including its Ground Force units, has actively participated in United Nations peacekeeping missions in various hotspots around the world, such as South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
Vietnam has deployed Level 2 Field Hospitals and numerous individual officers serving as staff officers and military observers, demonstrating its capability and responsibility.
The presence of Vietnamese “blue helmets” on the international stage not only affirms their professional competence and high discipline but also showcases Vietnam’s proactive integration and increasing role and standing in contributing to regional and global peace and stability, sharing experience and humanitarian values with the international community.
Strength Rankings:
In Southeast Asia: The Vietnamese Ground Forces are consistently ranked among the strongest and most experienced infantry forces, often within the Top 2 or Top 3 alongside Indonesia and Thailand. This strength stems not only from quantity but also from the level of training, combat experience, and the ability to operate and maintain weaponry under realistic conditions.
Globally: According to reputable rankings like Global Firepower (GFP), the Vietnamese Ground Forces are a core component helping the Vietnam People’s Army maintain its position among the Top 20-30 overall military powers worldwide. While their equipment may not always be the most cutting-edge, their elite professionalism, fighting spirit, and unique military artistry are factors that consistently earn the Vietnamese Ground Forces high regard.
Note: To learn about Vietnam’s Air Navy, please click here!
4. Conclusion: From the first steps of the Vietnam Propaganda and Liberation Army, the Vietnamese Ground Forces have endured severe trials and matured remarkably. With a combination of heroic tradition, rich combat experience, continuous modernization, and an increasingly active role in international peacekeeping missions, the Vietnamese Ground Forces continue to be a steadfast “bronze foot, iron shoulder,” the pride of the nation, ready to fulfill all duties in defending the homeland in peacetime and in any situation, for a more peaceful and stable world.
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