The Viet Cong were the military arm of the National Liberation Front that opposed South Vietnamese and US forces during the Vietnam War. Formed in 1960 with the goal of overthrowing the South Vietnamese government and reunifying Vietnam under communist rule, the Viet Cong used guerrilla warfare tactics like ambushes and hit-and-run attacks. They were able to defeat American forces through their familiarity with jungle warfare, extensive tunnel systems, and motivation to fight for Vietnamese independence against foreign influence.

1. VIET CONGArian Gail Martin
3ASN3

2. WHAT IS VIET CONG?
• Aka: Viet Nam Cong San
(Vietnamese communists)
• Founded: December 29, 1960
• Founder: Nguyễn Văn Hiếu
• Headquarters: South Vietnam
Arian Gail Martin

3. WHAT IS VIET CONG?
• VC is the military arm of the National Liberation Front (NLF)
• Viet Cong, with the support of the North Vietnamese army, opposed the
South Vietnamese and US forces in the Vietnam War.
• Objectives:
 To overthrow the South Vietnamese government
 To reunite the country of Vietnam
 To establish a Communist government.
Arian Gail Martin

4. WHAT IS VIET CONG?
• Hierarchy:
1. PEOPLE’S FORCES OR GUERILLAS
a. Village guerilla
b. Combat guerilla
2. LOCAL FORCE
 Aka: Regional troops
3. NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY
 Aka: regular force
 Elite of the VC military organization
Arian Gail Martin

5. HOW DID THEY DEFEAT THE
AMERICANS?
OFFENSIVE TACTICS
1. AMBUSH
 The Viet Cong ambushes may be directed against a single official,
civilians traveling on the highways, trains, convoys, or even
helicopters.
2. HARASSING OR HIT-AND-RUN
 Accomplishments
 Disruption of possible local offensives
 Gathering of intelligence
 Seizure of weapons and supplies
 Forms:
 Surprise shots to give them sense of insecurity
 Firing to raise expectations
 Snipers
Arian Gail Martin

6. HOW DID THEY DEFEAT THE
AMERICANS?
OFFENSIVE TACTICS
3. CONVENTIONAL ATTACK
Conventional Western Viet Cong
Attack is normally preceded by a
“softening up” by air and
artillery before the actual ground
assault is launch
Rely instead on precise
intelligence, careful planning,
and complete surprise
Objective: capture a piece of
territory
Objective: discredit the
government
Attacks the assaulting forces
keep hammering at the target
until its captured or until they
are defeated.
The VC tend to break off their
attacks more quickly of they do
not seem to be going well.
Arian Gail Martin

7. HOW DID THEY DEFEAT THE
AMERICANS?
1. An Alien Environment
• Americans were not used to jungle
warfare.
• Americans were not used to the
climate of the country.
2. The Enemy Within
• U.S. soldiers had no way of knowing
whether a Vietnamese person was
from the communist North or the
democratic South.
3. Playing Mine Games
• The Viet Cong were skilled in setting
lethal booby traps (ex. “punji pits”) .
• They planted "Bouncing Bettys”.
Arian Gail Martin

8. HOW DID THEY DEFEAT THE
AMERICANS?
4. No Tunnel Vision
• Complex tunnel systems were key to the
success of Viet Cong guerilla warfare.
• Cu Chi Tunnels
5. Win or Die Trying
• The Vietnamese people were used to war.
• During the training of the new recruits, Viet
Cong included political instruction to remind
them they were fighting for freedom from
foreign influence and for the unification of
their country.
Arian Gail Martin

9. Sources:
• http://alphahistory.com/vietnamwar/viet-cong/
• http://classroom.synonym.com/military-advantages-did-viet-cong-over-americans-
14738.html
• https://quizlet.com/77703731/vietnam-flash-cards/
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/vietnam/thewarinvietnamre
v2.shtml
• http://vietnamawbb.weebly.com/guerrilla-warfare-and-war-of-attrition.html
• http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/vietnam-war/ho-chi-minh-trail/
• Tanham, George K. Communist Revolutionary Warfare. New York: Frederick A.
Praeger, publishers , 1967.
Arian Gail Martin