Vietnam

The country that is today officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Cộng hòa xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam) was once a part of French Indochina. After the Japanese occupation of the Second World War ended, the Việt Minh (who had fought the Japanese during the war) strongly opposed French re-occupation of the country, which rapidly brought about the First Indochina War (1946 to 1954). Ten years later, the Geneva Accords of 1954 effectively ended the war by establishing the Indochina's independence from France, and established two nations out of the territory traditionally considered Vietnamese, the Democratic Republc of Vietnam in the north, and the State of Vietnam in the south. Within a year, the South Vietnam was established after Ngô Đình Diệm deposed Emperor Bảo Đại. His refusal to enter negotiations with North Vietnam over holding nationwide elections led to gradual disintegration of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and the start of the Second Indochina War (1959 to 1975). Vietnam was reunited in 1975 when the US and its allies withdrew all forces from South Vietnam, which was rapidly overrun by when North Vietnamese troops shortly thereafter. The unified country was officially re-named the Socalist Republic of Vietnam, which it has remained to this day.

Vietnam overthrew the Khmer Rouge regime of Cambodia in 1978, leading to tense relations with China and ultimately sparking the brief Sino-Vietnamese war between February and March 1979. Vietnamese troops remained in Cambodia until 1989.

The armed forces of Vietnam are called the Vietnam People's Army (Quân Đội Nhân Dân Việt Nam,) or VPA, and includes Ground Defense Forces, Border Defense Forces, the People's Navy, Marine Police (Coast Guard) and the People's Air Defense and Air Force. The national police force is called People's Police of Vietnam, which maintains public security and law enforcement.

Since the days of the Second Indochina War, Vietnamese forces have used a large number of camouflage patterns, most of which are produced locally. Some units have even worn VPA style uniforms made from surplus fabric leftover from the Republic of Vietnam era.

Vietnamese People's Army Camouflage Patterns

• Vietnamese special forces green base spot pattern. Used by đặc công (VPA Commandos) during the 1980s.

• quân đội green leaf pattern. In service with the VPA during the 1980s and 1990s.

• VPA stripe and palm leaf pattern. In general use with the VPA. Late 1990s to the present day. Several colourations exist.

• VPA lime woodland pattern. Current era.

Police Camouflage patterns

• Police 2nd Leaf Pattern. The brown spots are due to rust - not a part of the pattern! Used from the late 1990s to present day.