Nine Key Pieces of Equipment for Elite Vietnamese Soldiers

The attire of Vietnamese soldiers has always maintained a vintage style, with pith helmets, grass-green training uniforms, sandals, and AK47 rifles, evoking the image of the 1970s and 1980s. However, the elite units of the Vietnamese military today are no longer like this. Soldiers are not only equipped with camouflage uniforms but also wear modern mainstream Kevlar ballistic helmets. This article will now discuss the nine key pieces of equipment currently used by soldiers in Vietnam's elite units.

I.A2 Helmet

Currently, soldiers in Vietnam's elite units are largely equipped with the domestically developed A2 ballistic helmet, which has replaced the old-style wooden pith helmet. The Vietnamese A2 helmet is also made from Kevlar material. It is not only lightweight but also well-suited to the head shape of Vietnamese individuals, providing a more comfortable and secure fit. Additionally, its protective capability is several times greater than that of the previous pith helmet. For different operational environments, soldiers often attach a camouflage helmet cover to enhance concealment and protect the helmet from wear and tear.

II. AK Magazine Pouch

Nowadays, rifles firing 7.62mm intermediate-power ammunition-such as China's Type 56, the Soviet Union's AK47 and AKM-still serve as the primary service firearms in the Vietnam People's Army, being used by both regular infantry and elite units. Since they share the same caliber, the magazines used for these rifles are interchangeable. That is why every soldier is equipped with AK magazine pouches for ammunition storage. Though not aesthetically pleasing, these pouches are made of high-quality canvas, featuring excellent toughness, sturdiness and durability. Each pouch comes with seven pockets: the three on the front can hold magazines, while the four on the sides are designed for storing various firearm accessories and tools. During regular training or combat operations, the pouch is worn on the soldier's chest via a shoulder strap, facilitating quick magazine changes.

III. K17 Camouflage Uniform

While Vietnam's conventional forces are still equipped with solid-color training uniforms, soldiers in the elite units have now been issued the new K17 camouflage training uniform. This pattern was independently developed by Vietnam and is specifically designed for the dense jungles and tropical environments of Southeast Asia. The camouflage uniform consists of four colors: brown, light green, olive green, and light black, with a fragmented camouflage pattern. Although it is not digital camouflage, it offers excellent concealment in jungle environments. In the future, Vietnam's K17 camouflage training uniform will also be supplied to regular troops.

IV. STV380 Assault Rifle

In addition to utilizing China's Type 56 and Soviet/Russian AK rifles, Vietnam's elite forces have now begun to deploy the domestically produced STV-380 7.62mm assault rifle in limited numbers. This model is based on the Israeli Galil ACE rifle and shares the same internal structure and layout. Externally, it has been modified to align with the characteristics of the Vietnamese military, making its appearance more akin to that of an AK rifle.

The STV-380 assault rifle also fires 7.62x39mm M43 intermediate-power ammunition, and is fed by a 30-round curved metal magazine that is interchangeable with those used by AK and Type 56 rifles. It has a theoretical rate of fire of 650 rounds per minute and an effective range of approximately 400 meters. Meanwhile, its stock, handguard and grip are constructed with plastic components, resulting in a lightweight build. To better adapt to combat environments, the top of the receiver and the bottom of the handguard are both equipped with rails, which facilitate the easy attachment of scopes, grips, tactical lights and bipods.

V. Lunch Box

During field marches or combat operations, Vietnamese soldiers typically carry mess kits. The most commonly used are aluminum mess kits, which are not only lightweight but also spacious. These kits can be divided into three compartments, allowing them to hold more food, side dishes, and soup. Such mess kits are standard issue for both regular and elite units.

VI. Canvas Shoes

Nowadays, most countries around the world have equipped their forces with specialized combat boots. However, Vietnam's elite units are still issued canvas shoes, which are modeled after the design of Chinese Liberation Shoes. Although these shoes are not as sturdy as military boots, they are soft, lightweight, and conducive to combat and marching. Additionally, these canvas shoes are highly favored by Vietnamese soldiers.

VII. Rank Insignia

While modern soldiers emphasize concealment, Vietnamese officers and soldiers-whether in regular infantry, elite units, or special forces-still wear conspicuous red rank insignia on their collars. For enlisted soldiers, this may be less of an issue, but for officers, it could make them targets for snipers. However, this might be considered a unique characteristic of the Vietnamese military.

VIII. Canteen

The canteen is one of the most essential pieces of equipment not only for Vietnamese soldiers but also for soldiers worldwide. Military canteens typically feature larger capacities and greater durability. However, Vietnam's military canteens do not follow a standardized model or design-they include American-style, Russian-style, or locally produced versions, and even civilian imitation canteens are sometimes used. Regardless of the model, for soldiers in Vietnam's elite forces, the canteen remains a crucial personal item.

IX. Body Armor

Typically, Vietnamese soldiers do not wear body armor. However, as part of elite units, they do use body armor during drills and training exercises. The body armor issued to Vietnamese soldiers is usually domestically designed, but its protective capabilities are far inferior to those of Western-brand models. The materials used in the body armor are of lower quality and relatively thin, making it resemble a tactical vest more than robust protective gear. Vietnamese soldiers are not particularly fond of this locally produced body armor, which is why most opt not to wear it.