People's Army of Vietnam Special Forces

People's Army of Vietnam Special Forces
People's Army of Vietnam Special Forces logo
Founded	19 March 1967 (1967-03-19)
Country	Vietnam
Allegiance	Communist Party of Vietnam
Branch	Vietnam People's Ground Force
Type	Special operations force
Role	Covert operations Counter-terrorism Hostage rescue Direct action Deep reconnaissance Unconventional warfare Intelligence gathering High-value targets Counter narcotic operations Counter-proliferation Close protection
Size	10,000 people
Garrison/HQ	Thanh Trì, Hà Nội
Motto(s)	Đặc biệt tinh nhuệ, Anh dũng tuyệt vời, Mưu trí táo bạo, Đánh hiểm thắng lớn (Unique and elite; Heroic and superb; Ingenious and daring; Deadly attacks yield great victories)
Anniversaries	March 19, 1967
Decorations	Hero of the People's Armed Forces Gold Star Order (Vietnam) Ho Chi Minh Order Military Exploit Order x2
Commanders
Current commander	Major General Phan Thế Ba
Ceremonial chief	Major General Vũ Hồng Quang
Notable commanders	Major General Mai Năng Senior Colonel Nguyễn Chí Điềm Major General Nguyễn Anh Đệ
Insignia

The People's Army of Vietnam Special Forces Arms (Vietnamese: Bình chủng Đặc công) is the elite combat armed service of the People's Army of Vietnam, led by the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army. It is uniquely organized, equipped, and trained with special fighting skills, bravery and heroism, resourcefulness and boldness to attack and destroy key enemy’s targets.

The VNSF has the task of focusing on researching and advising the Ministry of Defence to build and develop Vietnamese special forces capabilities.

History

Pre-history

In the 13th century, during the Mongol invasions of Vietnam, the Trần army developed a way of ambushing with small, elite forces, good at fighting on land, on rivers, and at sea. Trần Quốc Tuấn has directed: "Being reckless on the boat is not as good as stabbing under the boat, destroying the enemy's army is not as good as destroying the enemy's boat". Implementing that direction, General Yết Kiêu organized and trained Trạo Nhi teams consisting of strong and good swimmers who specialized in destroying the enemy's naval base. In many battles, the Trạo Nhi team secretly entered the naval base, burned the boat with flammable substances and dived into the muddy water, destroyed many Mongol troops in Chương Dương, Phả Lại, and Chí Linh and once captured them live the enemy general.

In 1410, Trần Nguyên Hãn utilized the doctrine of "Quân cốt tinh, không cốt nhiều" ("The core of an army is its quality, not quantity") and organized a famous battle with nearly 200 insurgents, stripped naked and camouflaged, and secretly infiltrated the Xương Giang citadel, Việt Trì to attack the Ming army in the citadel.

First Indochina War

On the Southern battlefield, France strengthened the construction of a system of posts around towns and cities and on important roads in order to encircle, separate and hinder the Viet Minh armed forces. Through many successful trials, especially the battle to destroy Bà Kiên bridge post in the night of March 18 and early morning, March 19, 1948, opened a new possibility to defeat the enemy in a solid entrenched position.

In November 1949, Military Region 7 command held a symposium on fighting the watchtower with the participation of officers and soldiers who had participated in fighting the watchtower and proposed a new way of fighting the watchtower. With the FT wall-breaking weapon (Trái phá FT), on the night of March 21 to the morning of March 23, 1950, on the battlefield of Biên Hòa, 50 battle groups simultaneously used FT to attack 50 watchtowers, causing great confusion for the enemy. From this battle, the Biên Hòa Provincial Army and the General Staff of Military Region 7 held a conference to learn from experience and use commando tactics.

The South focused on research and development, constantly perfecting commando tactics. Stemming from the combat mission and the enemy's goals, units in the South had a new development with an increasingly large scale. A commando battle is organized with 3 components: ground commando, water commando, and mobile special forces with the common organizational scale of team, battalion, standing at the base across strategic locations.

During the last period of the First Indochina War and during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, the Viet Minh developed on the battlefields, had a knack for fighting in the enemy's rear, initially gained experience in synergistic warfare in the area. campaigns. The special forces fought the enemy on both front and rear. Some typical battles of the commando troops such as Phú Thọ bombing, Tân An bomb depot, Cát Bi airport, Gia Lam Airport.

Vietnam War

After the 1954 Geneva Conference was signed, the Communist Party of Vietnam and army selected and sent special forces from the North to the South to build up forces and fight. In June 1958, the Southeast Command was established and the Eastern armed forces had a special commando company with the code name 60th Company. This was the first commando company in the South. Company 60, along with special commando groups and groups in the localities, began to attack Republic of Vietnam government buildings and posts.

In September 1962, specialized commando teams began to enter the southern battlefields, supplementing combat units in military zones and provinces. In the two years 1961 - 1962, 10 specialized commando companies, 1 mobile battalion with 1,122 men were reinforced for zone 5 and the South. The birth and rapid development of mobile and specialized commando forces in the North marked a new development in the organization of special forces troops.

During the period of the implementation of the Staley–Taylor Plan, one of the most prominent features of special operations was that for the first time, participated in combat with the main army in special operations campaign quality and won many victories. Some typical battles during this period were the destruction of the Plây Cơ Rông commando base, the raid on Pleiku airport and the American barracks Holloway, the Brinks Hotel bombing, the Attack on USNS Card. The feats of North Vietnamese commandos in the period of counter-strategy Staley–Taylor Plan marked an important development of the art of combat behind hostile lines to destroy the enemy's forces the headquarters and center of war operations of the US-RVN.

During the 1968 Tet Offensive, North Vietnamese commandos led the attack on ARVN headquarters and vital installations in most South Vietnamese cities, contributing to a 1968 Mậu Thân victory, creating a turning point in the Vietnam War.The commandos were also used during the Battle of Lima Site 85, successfully overrunning a US post in Laos, and the Battle of FSB Mary Ann where they hurled satchels at command bunkers, knifed sleeping soldiers, and destroyed all communications equipment, killing 33 US soldiers in the process at a loss of 15 men.

On November 1, 1968, a successful raid involving swimmer sappers severely damaged the USS Westchester County (LST-1167), seeing the US Navy’s greatest single-incident combat loss of life during the entire Vietnam War. While the ship was docked at My Tho, sappers carrying two 250kg mines swam up and planted them on the lower hull, detonating them. Consequently, 25 sailors were killed and another 27 wounded. Such attacks were highly effective, with 88 successful attacks between 1962 and 1969 killing 210 personnel and wounding another 325 in return for only 20 sappers killed or captured.

The Pochentong raid

On the night of 21–22 January 1971, a hundred or so-strong PAVN "Sapper" Commando force (Đặc Công, equivalent of "spec op" in English) managed to pass undetected through the defensive perimeter of the Special Military Region (Région Militaire Speciale – RMS) set by the Cambodian Army around Phnom Penh and carried out a spectacular raid on Pochentong airbase. Broken into six smaller detachments armed mostly with AK-47 assault rifles and RPG-7 anti-tank rocket launchers, the PAVN raiders succeeded in scaling the barbed-wire fence and quickly overwhelmed the poorly armed airmen of the Security Battalion on duty that night. Once inside the facility, the raiders unleashed a furious barrage of small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades against any aircraft they found on the parking area adjacent to the runway and nearby buildings; one of the commando teams even scaled the adjoining commercial terminal of the civilian airport and after taking position at the international restaurant located on the roof, they fired a rocket into the napalm supply depot near the RVNAF apron.

When the smoke cleared the next morning, the Khmer Air Force had been virtually annihilated. A total of 69 aircraft stationed at Pochentong at the time were either completely destroyed or severely damaged on the ground, including many T-28D Trojans, nearly all the Shenyang, MiG, T-37B and Fouga Magister jets, all the L-19A Bird Dogs and An-2 transports, the UH-1 helicopter gunships, three VNAF O-1 Bird Dogs and even a VIP transport recently presented to President Lon Nol by the South Vietnamese government. Apart from the aircraft losses, 39 AVNK officers and enlisted men had lost their lives and another 170 were injured. The only airframes that escaped destruction were six T-28D Trojans temporarily deployed to Battambang, ten GY-80 Horizon light trainers (also stationed at Battambang), eight Alouette II and Alouette III helicopters, two Sikorsky H-34 helicopters, one T-37B jet trainer, and a single Fouga Magister jet that had been grounded for repairs. Pochentong airbase was closed for almost a week while the damage was assessed, wreckage removed, the runway repaired, and the stocks of fuel and ammunitions replenished.

Similar raids occurred the following year against U-Tapao Airfield which housed Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers, with three bombers being damaged and a Thai sentry killed.

Training of foreign commando units in Southeast Asia and Latin America

The effectiveness of the Dac Cong during the Vietnam War saw them instruct various other countries and Marxist rebel groups. From the 1970s to 1990s, they covertly provided training at the PAVN Sapper Training School in Vietnam, by Vietnamese sapper advisors assigned to the Cuban Army’s Sapper School in Cuba, and, during the 1980s, by a secret Vietnamese sapper training team stationed in Nicaragua.  In addition to training Cambodian, Laotian, Soviet, and Cuban military personnel, their publications revealed that among the foreign revolutionary forces that received training in sapper tactics, bomb-making, and the use of weapons and explosives, were members of the Marxist El Salvadoran FMLN (Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front), the Chilean MIR (Movement of the Revolutionary Left) fighting against the dictatorial regime of Augusto Pinochet, as well as the Colombian FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) movement, a Marxist guerilla group that was also heavily involved in narcotics trafficking.

Present

The current ground special forces units under Special Forces Command consist of the 113th Commando Brigade (3 times being awarded the Hero of the People's Armed Forces in 1975, 1979, 2000), located in Vinh Phuc, the 198th Commando Brigade (established in 1974), located in Dak Lak, 429th Commando Brigade stationed in Binh Duong.

The current naval special forces unit include the 5th Water Commando Brigade stationed in Ninh Thuan under the Special Forces Command and the 126th Naval Commando Brigade under Vietnam People's Navy.

The special task force currently have the 1st Special Forces Brigade, formerly based in Gia Lâm but now (M1 Brigade) stationed in Hanoi.

Beside, each Military Region and Corps have 1 Commando Battalion under their command.

Uniform equipment

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Notes
Night vision
Night vision		Night-vision device	Vietnam	Manufactured locally.
Helmets
Bulletproof helmet		Combat helmet	Vietnam	Manufactured locally. It has been introduced in International Army Games's exhibition.
Type A2 Helmet		Combat helmet	Vietnam	The PAVN's standard issue bump shell is a hard plastic replica of the PASGT helmets. It is used for training exercises and combat drill.
Utility Cover		Kepi	Vietnam	Standard issue soft cover, consisting of a four point front panel and an elastic backstrap. The cap's camouflage print is worn matching with field fatigues during patrols.
SSh-68		Combat helmet	Soviet Union	Limited use.
SSh-40		Combat helmet	Soviet Union	Limited use.
PASGT Helmet		Combat helmet	United States Vietnam	Limited use with Special Forces, Border Guards, and the Navy. They are gradually replacing older helmets in all branches of the Army. Most helmets are a Vietnamese-made version of the PASGT Helmet. Earlier models were imported from Israel.
M1 Helmet		Combat helmet	United States	Limited use.
Modular Integrated Communications Helmet		Combat helmet	United States	Manufactured locally.
Type High Cut Helmet		Combat helmet	United States	Manufactured locally.
Body equipment
AG K53T Body Armour		Body armor	Vietnam	Manufactured locally.It has been introduced in International Army Games's exhibition.
7,62 K56 Body Armour		Body armor	Vietnam	Manufactured locally.It has been introduced in International Army Games's exhibition.
AG K51T Body Armour		Body armor	Vietnam	Manufactured locally.It has been introduced in International Army Games's exhibition.
Body Armour		Body armor	Vietnam	Limited use. Manufactured locally. NIJ level III
Body Armour		Body armor	Vietnam	Modern battle uniform for standard Vietnamese infantry. It will be standard issue in the future. Manufactured locally at the Z176 factory.[1][2]
Marom Dolphin Fusion System		Body armor	Israel	[3]
Flak jacket		Body armor	United States	Limited use by Anti riots units.
Tatical Vest		Tatical vest	Vietnam	Manufactured locally.
Combat Leather Pads		Knee Pads Elbow Pads	Vietnam	Standard Issued along with the new K20 Military Uniform.
Camouflage patterns
K-17 Woodland		Camouflage pattern	Vietnam	Former standard-issue camouflage for ground forces. Similar coloration to the K-07, there are also multiple variants for the other branches of the military.
K20 Pattern, K21 Field Uniform		Camouflage pattern	Vietnam	Standard issue as of 2021, the PAVN's K20 Camouflage pattern was developed based on existing ERDL and K07 patterns, with more subdued coloration.
Modified Duck Hunter Pattern		Camouflage pattern	Vietnam
Thermal imaging anti-reconnaissance clothing		Camouflage pattern	Vietnam	It has been introduced in International Army Games's exhibition.
Ghillie suit		Ghillie suit	Vietnam	Manufactured locally.It has been introduced in International Army Games's exhibition.

Equipment

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Notes
Accessories
ITL MARS		Red dot sight	Israel	Mounted on Uzi, AKM-1, IWI Tavor.
Meprolight m21		Red dot sight	Israel	Mounted on Uzi, AKM-1, IWI Tavor, STV Rifles and IWI ACE
Night vision sight		Night vision sight	Vietnam	Mounted on Uzi, AKM-1, IWI Tavor, STV Rifles and IWI ACE.
Small arms
IWI Jericho 941		Semi-automatic pistol	Israel
K14-VN		Semi-automatic pistol	Vietnam
TT-33		Semi-automatic pistol	Soviet Union
CornerShot		Weapon accessory	Israel
Shotgun
Armsel Striker		Shotgun	South Africa	Limited use
Sub machine gun
Uzi		Submachine gun	Israel
PM-63		Submachine gun	Polish People's Republic
SN9P		Submachine gun	Russia Vietnam
Assault rifle
STL-1A		Assault rifle	Vietnam
AKS-47		Assault rifle	Soviet Union	Early variant of the AK-47, featured a downward-folding metal stock similar to that of the MP 40.
AKMS		Assault rifle	Soviet Union
IWI Tavor		Bullpup	Israel
STV		Assault rifle	Vietnam
IWI ACE		Assault rifle/Battle rifle	Israel
M-18		Carbine	United States Vietnam (operator)	A version of the assault rifles improved by Vietnam from the CAR-15 XM177 series of spoils obtained after the Vietnam War.
APS underwater rifle		Underwater assault rifle	Soviet Union
Light machine gun
IWI Negev		General-purpose machine gun/Squad automatic weapon	Israel
PKM	File:PKmachinegun-removebg-preview.png	General-purpose machine gun/Squad automatic weapon	Soviet Union
RPK		General-purpose machine gun/Squad automatic weapon	Soviet Union
FN Minimi		Light machine gun/Squad automatic weapon	Belgium
Sniper rifle
Orsis T-5000		Sniper rifle	Russia
WKW Wilk		Anti-materiel rifle	Poland
IWI Galatz		Semi-automatic sniper rifle	Israel	A derivative of the Galil ARM that is used in conjunction with high-quality 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition for consistent accuracy.
OSV-96		Anti-materiel rifle	Soviet Union
VSK-94		Designated marksman rifle	Russia
Dragunov SVD		Designated marksman rifle	Soviet Union	A compact variant of the SVD was introduced In the early 1990s.
Grenade launcher
Milkor MGL		Revolver grenade launcher	South Africa United States
OPL40M/T-40		Grenade launcher	United States Vietnam	Manufactured locally by Z111
RPG-7		Rocket-propelled grenade launcher	Soviet Union	Designated as B41 in Vietnam.
Mortars
STA-50		Light mortars	Vietnam	Manufactured locally at the Z117 Factory.

Vehicles

Vehicle	Image	Type	Origin	Notes
Ford F350		Mobile Adjustable Ramp System	United States	Mobile Adjustable Ramp System
BTR-60		Armoured personnel carrier	Soviet Union
BTR-152		Armoured personnel carrier	Soviet Union
Isuzu Forward		Medium transport truck	Japan
BRDM-2		Armoured personnel carrier	Soviet Union

Aircraft

Aircraft	Image	Type	Origin	Notes
Mil Mi-8		Helicopter	Soviet Union
Antonov An-2		Military transport aircraft	Soviet Union	Used for paratroopers training