From one Soviet Russia ally to another, Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in Vietnam on Thursday after a two-day visit to North Korea. Vietnam welcomed his visit by recalling their old ties “filled with loyalty and gratitude”. This is a reference to the days when Vietnam was divided into North Vietnam (under communist influence) and South Vietnam (under France backed by the US) during the 1950s to 1970s.
With World War II ending, the US-led West was worried about the spread of the communist bloc — led by Soviet Russia and China — to new areas. The US sided with South Vietnam to keep Ho Chi Minh out of power in a unified Vietnam. The war began in 1954 and continued to 1975, when the American forces were forced to withdraw.
How did Vietnam do it? The defeat of US forces in Vietnam can be attributed to a combination of Vietnamese strategies, American missteps, and significant external support, particularly from Soviet Russia and China.
Vietnamese strategies included guerrilla warfare, where the Viet Cong of Ho Chi Minh and North Vietnamese Army (NVA) effectively used guerrilla tactics, blending in with the civilian population and launching surprise attacks. This made it difficult for US forces to identify and engage the enemy. The Ho Chi Minh trail, an extensive network of supply routes through Laos and Cambodia, allowed North Vietnam to transport troops and supplies to the South, sustaining the war effort despite heavy US bombing.
The Vietnamese leadership, particularly Ho Chi Minh, had a strong commitment to unification and independence, a crucial factor in the victory. This ideological drive, coupled with high morale among Vietnamese fighters, contrasted with the growing war-weariness in the US. The dense jungles and difficult terrain of Vietnam favoured the local forces, who were familiar with the environment, while US forces struggled to adapt to these conditions.
American missteps played a significant role in their defeat. US military and political leaders underestimated the resolve and capabilities of the Vietnamese forces, often treating the conflict as a conventional war rather than an insurgency. The South Vietnamese government was often seen as corrupt and lacked popular support, weakening the overall war effort. Public opinion in the US was also against the war, further hindering the American efforts.
As the war dragged on, American public opinion turned increasingly against it. Graphic media coverage of the war’s brutality further eroded support, leading to political pressure to withdraw. The US forces initially relied heavily on conventional military tactics and heavy bombing campaigns, which were less effective against guerrilla fighters and sometimes counterproductive.
External support from Soviet Russia and China was crucial to North Vietnam’s success. The Soviet Union provided substantial military and economic support to North Vietnam, including advanced weapons systems like anti-aircraft missiles, tanks, and artillery. Soviet advisors also helped train Vietnamese soldiers and develop strategies. China, a new communist regime, was another major supporter of Vietnam, supplying weapons, logistical support, and troops for logistical roles. Chinese aid was crucial in sustaining the North Vietnamese war effort.
Both the Soviet Union and China voiced the concerns of the Vietnamese people at international fora, helping to isolate the US and garner global sympathy for the Vietnamese cause.
Soviet Russia’s assistance to Vietnam was multifaceted and critical to the North Vietnamese war effort. Initially, the Soviet leadership was favouring a peaceful solution to the problem, although they did supply North Vietnam with information, technical advisors, and moral support. The equation changed after 1965 when the USSR signed a defence deal to provide North Vietnam with financial aid and military equipment, as well as sending advisors. In 1968, Soviet Russia signed a fresh military and economic accord with North Vietnam.
Soviet Russia supplied food, petroleum, transportation equipment, iron and steel, other metals, fertilisers, arms, munitions, and other commodities, besides weapons and military equipment to strengthen North Vietnam’s defences. The Soviets supplied North Vietnam with a wide array of military hardware, including SAM (Surface-to-Air Missile) systems, which significantly hindered US air operations. Beyond military aid, the USSR provided economic assistance to help sustain North Vietnam’s war economy. Soviet advisors helped the Vietnamese with training, strategic planning, and maintaining sophisticated equipment. This critical help from Soviet Russia led to the eventual withdrawal of US troops and the unification of Vietnam under communist rule.
