VIETNAM MILITARY POWER TODAY

* Vietnam (Vietnamese: Việt Nam), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is the easternmost nation on the Indochinese Peninsula. It borders China to the north, Laos to the northwest, and Cambodia to the southwest. On the country's east coast lies the South China Sea. With a population of over 85 million, Vietnam is the 13th most populous country in the world. The country is listed among the "Next Eleven" economies; according to government figures GDP, growth was 8.17% in 2006, the second fastest growth rate among countries in East Asia and the fastest in Southeast Asia. * Vietnam People's Army (VPA) - Quân Đội Nhân Dân Việt Nam -Active Dec. 22, 1944 - present -Country: Vietnam -Allegiance: Vietnam -Type: Army -Anniversaries: Traditional Founding Date: Dec. 22, 1944. Dien Bien Phu Victory: May 7, 1954. Liberation of the South: April 30, 1975. -Engagements: World War II (Anti-Japanese Campaign 1944-1945), First Indochina War (Against France and French-sponsored local forces, 1946-1954), Second Indochina War (Vietnam War) (Against the US and US-sponsored local forces, 1964-1975), Southwest Campaign (Against the Khmer Rouge, 1979-1989), 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War, 2002-present (secret war in Laos against Hmong separatists) The Vietnam People's Army (VPA) (Vietnamese: Quân Đội Nhân Dân Việt Nam) is the official name of the armed forces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. During the Second Indochina War (Vietnam War) (1957--1975), the U.S. referred to it as the North Vietnamese Army (NVA), or People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and this term is commonly found throughout Vietnam War-related subjects. The VPA was not the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam (also known as Việt Cộng) (although certain elements disguised as such occasionally and after the reunification of the country in 1976, all former Việt Cộng forces that had not been demobilized were incorporated into the VPA). During the war against the French (First Indochina War, 1946-1954), the VPA was often referred to as the Việt Minh even though Việt Minh was the name of the overall independence movement that preceded the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945. The VPA now includes the: Vietnam People's Ground Forces (including VPA Strategic Rear Forces and Border Defence Forces), Vietnam People's Navy (including VPN Naval infantry), Vietnam People's Air Force, and Vietnam People's Coast Guard. The VPA is considered one of the greatest armies in modern history. Source: Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Vietnamese_Army * From a foreign friend: === Hi guys. I've been to VIET NAM last month and I just wanted to say here your country is the greatest place I've ever been. in all terms: people, landscapes, cuisine (bun ca!!!)... love ya! I'll be back there soon. and you're a very very brave nation. I've read a little about your post WW2 history. I've also seen the tunnels web in Cu Chi and they impressed me a lot. Judging from the attitude of people I met there, it seems to me that when you like someone, you're like a BEST FRIEND for him. But judging from your history, it seems to me that when your someone's enemy, you're his WORST NIGHTMARE. Luckily for my country, we're too far on the map to ever have a war with you. === ***** VIETNAMESE PEOPLE LOVE PEACE but DON'T MESS WITH US! *****