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Study Guide: The People's Army of Vietnam: History and Organization

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The People's Army of Vietnam: History and Organization Study Guide

Identity and Foundational Principles

The People's Army of Vietnam is also commonly known as the Vietnamese Army or colloquially as 'the Troops'.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source material confirms that the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) is also known as the Vietnamese Army and is colloquially referred to as 'the Troops' (Bộ đội).

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The motto 'Quyết thắng' on the military flag of the Vietnam People's Army translates to 'Victory is certain'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The motto 'Quyết thắng' translates to 'Determined to win', not 'Victory is certain'.

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The Vietnam People's Armed Forces includes the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard, and Coast Guard, with the People's Army of Vietnam serving as its backbone.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that the PAVN is the backbone of the Vietnam People's Armed Forces, which includes the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard, and Coast Guard among its components.

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What is the official name of Vietnam's national military force?

Answer: People's Army of Vietnam

Explanation: The official name of the national military force of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN).

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What does the motto 'Quyết thắng' on the Vietnam People's Army military flag translate to?

Answer: Determined to Win

Explanation: The motto 'Quyết thắng', featured on the PAVN military flag, translates to 'Determined to win'.

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Which of the following is NOT a primary component of the Vietnam People's Armed Forces, for which the People's Army of Vietnam serves as the backbone?

Answer: National Police Force

Explanation: The Vietnam People's Armed Forces includes the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard, Coast Guard, and Cyberspace Operations Command, but not the National Police Force.

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Early History and Formation (1944-1954)

The People's Army of Vietnam was founded on December 22, 1944, initially named the Propaganda Unit of the Liberation Army.

Answer: True

Explanation: The PAVN was founded on December 22, 1944, and was first conceived as the Information, Communication and Education Unit of the Liberation Army.

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During the French Indochina War, the People's Army of Vietnam was frequently referred to as the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) by its opposition.

Answer: False

Explanation: During the French Indochina War (1946–1954), the PAVN was often referred to as the Việt Minh. The term North Vietnamese Army (NVA) was used by opposition forces during the later Vietnam War (1955–1975).

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The earliest historical record of Vietnamese military history dates back to the Hồng Bàng era, which was the first recorded state to assemble a military force.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source material states that the earliest record of Vietnamese military history is from the era of Hồng Bàng, the first recorded state in ancient Vietnam to have assembled a military.

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Vietnam's 'Southern expansion' led to the decline of Cambodia and the annexation of the Mekong Delta, but did not involve conflicts with Siam.

Answer: False

Explanation: Vietnam's 'Southern expansion' resulted in the decline of Cambodia and annexation of the Mekong Delta, and it also involved wars against Siam.

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The Royal Vietnamese Armed Forces were generally considered one of the most professional armies in Southeast Asia throughout much of its history.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source indicates that for most of its history, the Royal Vietnamese Armed Forces was regarded as one of the most professional, battle-hardened, and heavily trained armies in Southeast Asia.

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The initial purpose of the Information, Communication and Education Unit of the Liberation Army was to establish diplomatic ties with French colonial forces.

Answer: False

Explanation: The unit's purpose was to educate, recruit, and mobilize the Vietnamese people to create a force capable of driving out French colonial and Japanese occupiers.

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Võ Nguyên Giáp was tasked by Hồ Chí Minh to establish the brigades of the Propaganda Unit of the Liberation Army.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that Hồ Chí Minh gave Võ Nguyên Giáp the task of establishing the brigades that formed the Propaganda Unit of the Liberation Army.

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Upon its formation, the Propaganda Unit of the Liberation Army was composed of 50 men and 10 women, armed primarily with captured Japanese weaponry.

Answer: False

Explanation: The unit was composed of thirty-one men and three women, armed with a mix of revolvers, rifles, a light machine gun, and breech-loading flintlocks.

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The PAVN's first engagements were fought against Japanese soldiers at the Battles of Khai Phat and Na Ngan in late 1944.

Answer: False

Explanation: The PAVN's first engagements at the Battles of Khai Phat and Na Ngan were against French soldiers, not Japanese soldiers.

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United States' OSS agents provided training and equipment to the early PAVN, forming the backbone of the Vietnamese military.

Answer: True

Explanation: Agents from the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (OSS) provided ammunition, logistic intelligence, equipment, and training to the early PAVN soldiers.

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The National Salvation Army merged with the Propaganda Liberation Army in 1941 to form the Vietnam Liberation Army.

Answer: False

Explanation: The merger between the Propaganda Liberation Army and the National Salvation Army occurred on May 15, 1945, not in 1941.

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The army was officially renamed the People's Army of Vietnam in 1950.

Answer: True

Explanation: After several name changes, the army officially became known as the People's Army of Vietnam in 1950.

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Võ Nguyên Giáp became the first full general of the PAVN in 1948 and led the PAVN to victory at Dien Bien Phu and the Fall of Saigon.

Answer: True

Explanation: Võ Nguyên Giáp became the first full general of the PAVN on May 28, 1948, and is famous for leading victories at Dien Bien Phu in 1954 and the Fall of Saigon in 1975.

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The 308th Division, the first division of the PAVN, was formed from the 88th Tu Vu Regiment and the 102nd Capital Regiment.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that the first division, the 308th Division, was formed from the 88th Tu Vu Regiment and the 102nd Capital Regiment.

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The first artillery division, the 351st Division, was equipped with 24 captured 105mm US howitzers supplied by the Soviet Union before Dien Bien Phu.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 24 captured 105mm US howitzers used by the 351st Division were supplied by the Chinese People's Liberation Army, not the Soviet Union.

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The first six divisions of the PAVN, including the 308th, 304th, and 312th, were collectively known as the 'Steel and Iron' divisions.

Answer: True

Explanation: The first six divisions of the PAVN (308th, 304th, 312th, 316th, 320th, and 325th) were known as the original 'Steel and Iron' divisions.

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The Battle of Dien Bien Phu, which effectively ended French rule in Indochina, was won by four 'Steel and Iron' divisions supported by the 351st Division's artillery.

Answer: True

Explanation: Four of the 'Steel and Iron' divisions (308th, 304th, 312th, and 316th), supported by the 351st Division's artillery, defeated French forces at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.

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When was the People's Army of Vietnam founded?

Answer: December 22, 1944

Explanation: The People's Army of Vietnam was founded on December 22, 1944, initially as the Information, Communication and Education Unit of the Liberation Army.

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By what name was the People's Army of Vietnam often referred to by its opposition during the French Indochina War (1946–1954)?

Answer: Việt Minh

Explanation: During the French Indochina War, the People's Army of Vietnam was commonly referred to as the Việt Minh by its opposition.

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To what is the earliest historical record of Vietnamese military history linked?

Answer: The era of Hồng Bàng, the first recorded state to assemble a military force.

Explanation: The earliest historical record of Vietnamese military history dates back to the era of Hồng Bàng, which was the first recorded state in ancient Vietnam to have assembled a military force.

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Who was tasked by Hồ Chí Minh to establish the brigades of the Propaganda Unit of the Liberation Army?

Answer: Võ Nguyên Giáp

Explanation: Hồ Chí Minh gave the task of establishing the brigades of the Propaganda Unit of the Liberation Army to Võ Nguyên Giáp.

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What was a significant outcome of Vietnam's 'Southern expansion'?

Answer: The annexation of the Mekong Delta and wars against Siam.

Explanation: Vietnam's 'Southern expansion' resulted in several outcomes, including the decline of Cambodia, the annexation of the Mekong Delta, and wars against Siam.

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What was the initial composition of the Propaganda Unit of the Liberation Army upon its formation on December 22, 1944?

Answer: Thirty-one men and three women, armed with a mix of revolvers, rifles, and flintlocks.

Explanation: Upon its formation, the Propaganda Unit of the Liberation Army was composed of thirty-one men and three women, armed with two revolvers, seventeen rifles, one light machine gun, and fourteen breech-loading flintlocks.

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Against whom did the PAVN fight its first engagements at the Battles of Khai Phat and Na Ngan in late 1944?

Answer: French soldiers

Explanation: The PAVN's first engagements at the Battles of Khai Phat and Na Ngan were fought against French soldiers.

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When did the Propaganda Liberation Army merge with the National Salvation Army to form the Vietnam Liberation Army?

Answer: May 15, 1945

Explanation: On May 15, 1945, the Propaganda Liberation Army merged with the National Salvation Army to form the Vietnam Liberation Army.

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Who became the first full general of the PAVN on May 28, 1948?

Answer: Võ Nguyên Giáp

Explanation: Võ Nguyên Giáp became the first full general of the PAVN on May 28, 1948.

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What was the name of the PAVN's first regiment, created on January 7, 1947?

Answer: The 102nd 'Capital' Regiment

Explanation: The PAVN's first regiment, created on January 7, 1947, for operations around Hanoi, was the 102nd 'Capital' Regiment.

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Which of the following divisions was NOT one of the five new divisions formed by the PAVN in late 1951 after campaigns in the Red River Delta?

Answer: The 308th Pioneer Division

Explanation: The 308th Pioneer Division was formed earlier from existing regiments. The five new divisions formed in late 1951 were the 304th, 312th, 316th, 320th, and 325th.

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What significant equipment did the 351st Artillery Division receive before the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954?

Answer: 24 captured 105mm US howitzers supplied by China.

Explanation: Before the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, the 351st Artillery Division was equipped with 24 captured 105mm US howitzers supplied by the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

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The Vietnam War Era (1955-1975)

The current unified form of the People's Army of Vietnam was achieved in 1975, immediately after the Fall of Saigon.

Answer: False

Explanation: The current unified form of the PAVN was achieved on July 7, 1976, following the political reunification of Vietnam, not immediately after the Fall of Saigon in 1975.

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The Liberation Army of South Vietnam (LASV) was considered a separate and independent military force from the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) during the Vietnam War.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Liberation Army of South Vietnam (LASV) was practically considered a branch of the PAVN and operated under the same command structure as the North Vietnamese Army (NVA).

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Group 579 was a logistical unit established in 1959 to prepare infiltration routes into South Vietnam via Laos and Cambodia.

Answer: False

Explanation: Group 559 was established to prepare land infiltration routes (the Ho Chi Minh trail). Group 579 was its maritime counterpart, responsible for transporting supplies by sea.

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The first large-scale engagement between regular PAVN formations and U.S. forces occurred at the Battle of Ia Drang in November 1965.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that the first large-scale meeting between regular PAVN formations and U.S. forces was at the Battle of Ia Drang in November 1965.

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General Trần Văn Trà stated that U.S. intervention had no significant impact on PAVN/LASV operations, as they were already confident in defeating ARVN forces.

Answer: False

Explanation: General Trần Văn Trà confirmed that U.S. intervention forced the PAVN/LASV to reconsider their operations and adjust their strategic aims to meet the new reality.

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The strategic aim of the PAVN/VC after U.S. intervention was to achieve a quick victory by overwhelming U.S. forces.

Answer: False

Explanation: The strategic aim was to fight a long war, inflict heavy casualties, and make the U.S. perceive the war as unwinnable, leading to their withdrawal.

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The Tet Offensive, launched in January 1968, targeted over 60 cities and towns in South Vietnam, including the U.S. Embassy in Saigon.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Tet Offensive was a general offensive targeting more than 60 cities and towns, with commando forces attacking key targets in Saigon, including the U.S. Embassy.

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The Tet Offensive resulted in significant military gains for the PAVN, leading to a swift withdrawal of U.S. forces.

Answer: False

Explanation: The PAVN sustained heavy military losses during the Tet Offensive. While it was a political failure for the U.S. due to public reaction, it was a military defeat for the PAVN and did not lead to a swift U.S. withdrawal.

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The Easter Offensive in 1972 resulted in North Vietnam gaining no South Vietnamese territory despite initial successes.

Answer: False

Explanation: Although the main assaults of the Easter Offensive were repulsed by South Vietnamese forces with U.S. air support, North Vietnam did manage to retain some South Vietnamese territory.

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The Spring Offensive in 1975 led to the capture of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War within two months, primarily due to strong U.S. support for the ARVN.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Spring Offensive was successful due to the lack of direct U.S. support and dwindling aid for the ARVN, not because of strong U.S. support.

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What was the relationship between the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and the Liberation Army of South Vietnam (LASV) during the Vietnam War?

Answer: The LASV was a branch of the PAVN and operated under the same command structure as the NVA.

Explanation: The Liberation Army of South Vietnam (LASV) was practically considered a branch of the PAVN by North Vietnam, and both groups operated under the same command structure.

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What was the primary purpose of Group 559, established in May 1959?

Answer: To establish infiltration routes into South Vietnam via Laos and Cambodia.

Explanation: Group 559 was a logistical unit established to prepare infiltration routes into South Vietnam via Laos and Cambodia, which became known as the Ho Chi Minh trail.

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When did the Tet Offensive begin?

Answer: January 30, 1968

Explanation: The Tet Offensive, a general offensive by the PAVN/Viet Cong, began on January 30, 1968, during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.

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What was the outcome of the Easter Offensive in 1972?

Answer: The South Vietnamese, with U.S. air support, repulsed main assaults, but North Vietnam retained some territory.

Explanation: During the 1972 Easter Offensive, the South Vietnamese repulsed the main assaults with U.S. air support, but North Vietnam was able to retain some of the territory it had captured.

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Which PAVN divisions and regiments were the first to engage U.S. forces on a large scale at the Battle of Ia Drang in November 1965?

Answer: The 101B Regiment of the 325th Division and the 66th Regiment of the 304th Division.

Explanation: The first PAVN units to meet U.S. forces on a large scale at the Battle of Ia Drang were the 101B Regiment of the 325th Division and the 66th Regiment of the 304th Division.

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According to General Trần Văn Trà, what was the strategic aim of the PAVN/VC after U.S. intervention in the Vietnam War?

Answer: To fight a long war and inflict heavy casualties to prompt U.S. withdrawal.

Explanation: General Trần Văn Trà stated that the strategic aim after U.S. intervention was to fight a long war, inflict heavy casualties, and make the U.S. perceive the war as unwinnable, thus prompting a withdrawal.

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What was a significant political impact of the Tet Offensive in the United States?

Answer: It caused increased ferocity and quantity of public demonstrations against the war.

Explanation: Although a military defeat for the PAVN, the Tet Offensive had a strong political impact in the U.S., leading to an increase in the ferocity and quantity of public anti-war demonstrations.

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What was the primary objective of the Spring Offensive in 1975?

Answer: To overthrow the South Vietnamese government and unite Vietnam under communist rule.

Explanation: The objective of the 1975 Spring Offensive was to overthrow the South Vietnamese government, which was achieved with the capture of Saigon on April 30, 1975, ending the war and uniting Vietnam.

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Post-Unification Conflicts and Operations

In 1975, the PAVN successfully aided the Khmer Rouge in toppling Lon Nol's U.S.-backed regime in Cambodia.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that in 1975, the PAVN successfully aided the Khmer Rouge in overthrowing the U.S.-backed regime of Lon Nol in Cambodia.

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What was the outcome of the PAVN's aid to the Khmer Rouge in 1975?

Answer: Lon Nol's U.S.-backed regime in Cambodia was toppled.

Explanation: In 1975, the PAVN successfully aided the Khmer Rouge in overthrowing Lon Nol's U.S.-backed regime in Cambodia.

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What was the PAVN's involvement in Laos after 1975?

Answer: They maintained forces to secure the Ho Chi Minh trail and supported the Pathet Lao in establishing a pro-Hanoi government.

Explanation: After 1975, the PAVN maintained forces in Laos to secure the Ho Chi Minh trail and supported the Pathet Lao, who successfully toppled the Royal Laotian regime and installed a new, pro-Hanoi government.

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What actions did Vietnamese forces undertake during the Sino-Vietnamese War (1979-1991) that contributed to Chinese forces running out of ammunition?

Answer: They conducted cross-border raids to destroy artillery ammunition.

Explanation: During the Sino-Vietnamese conflicts, Vietnamese forces conducted cross-border raids into Chinese territory to destroy artillery ammunition, which was a significant factor in Chinese forces running out of ammunition.

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Where were the first Vietnamese UN peacekeeping officers deployed?

Answer: South Sudan

Explanation: The first Vietnamese UN peacekeeping officers were sent to South Sudan, marking Vietnam's initial involvement in a United Nations mission abroad.

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Command and Organizational Structure

Vietnam maintains a formally separated Ground Force service branch that operates independently of the Ministry of National Defence.

Answer: False

Explanation: Vietnam does not have a formally separated Ground Force. All ground troops fall under the term 'combined arms' and are directly under the command of the Ministry of National Defence and the General Staff.

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How is the Ground Force organized within the People's Army of Vietnam?

Answer: All ground troops are designated as 'combined arms' and fall under the Ministry of National Defence.

Explanation: Vietnam does not have a formally separated Ground Force service branch; all ground troops are designated as 'combined arms' and fall directly under the command of the Ministry of National Defence and the General Staff.

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Which department organizes the international operations of the People's Army of Vietnam?

Answer: The Foreign Relations Department of the Ministry of National Defence

Explanation: The international operations of the People's Army of Vietnam are organized by the Foreign Relations Department of the Ministry of National Defence.

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Who holds the de facto supreme command over the Vietnamese Armed Forces?

Answer: The Secretary of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam

Explanation: While the President of Vietnam is the de jure Commander-in-Chief, the de facto supreme commander is the Secretary of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam, a position usually held by the Party's General Secretary.

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What is the primary function of the General Staff within the Vietnam People's Army?

Answer: To command all armed forces and ensure combat readiness.

Explanation: The General Staff is the leading agency responsible for commanding all armed forces, ensuring their combat readiness, and managing all military activities in both peace and war.

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Personnel, Ranks, and Equipment

What is the conscription period for males aged 18 to 25 in Vietnam?

Answer: Two years

Explanation: Conscription for males in Vietnam is for a period of two years.

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