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Vietnam Militia and Self-Defence Force

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Militia and Self-Defence Force
Dân quân tự vệ
Logo
ActiveAs soon as 1935
Country Vietnam
Allegiance Communist Party of Vietnam
BranchMilitia
Military reserve force
RoleMass mobilization
People's War
Naval militia
Part ofVietnam People's Armed Forces
Nickname(s)Militiamen
Colors  Cobalt blue (or teal)
Anniversaries28 March 1935
WebsiteVietnam MoD
Commanders
Chief of the DMSF under the GS of VPAMaj. Gen. Phạm Quang Ngân
Insignia
Head badge & emblem
Flag & ensign
Alternative ensign & pennon

The Vietnam Militia and Self-Defence Force (VMSF or MASDF; Vietnamese: Dân quân tự vệ Việt Nam, lit. 'Self-defence Militia of Vietnam'), known simply as the Militia (Dân quân) and also inaccurately recognized as the Vietnam Self-Defence Militia (VSDM), is the militia and uniformed reserve force of Vietnam. Placed under the political leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the executive administration of the Vietnam Ministry of National Defence, the management from the local and national governments as well as the direct command of the local military headquarters, VMSF is one of the three major components of the Vietnam People's Armed Forces, serving a significant role in the Vietnamese national defence strategies and cultures. Defined as the "armed force of the mass" that is organized as local-level units, VMSF's career is not meant to be "separated from production activities and work", making it a part-time, semi-professional territorial defence force.[1]

Foundation and history

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In March 1935, the Indochinese Communist Party (now succeeded by the Communist Party of Vietnam) First National Congress issued the "Resolution on Self-Defence Teams", being the formal establishment of the Vietnamese militia and the initial iteration of the Vietnam Militia and Self-Defence Force. Since then, the Militia had made contribution to the Vietnamese resistance against the French and Japanese colonialists and engaged in the August Revolution of Vietnam. Since the Vietnamese independence, VMSF has participated in pretty much every conflict in Vietnam, including wars against France and the United States. In the Vietnam War, VMSF is credited for 10% of the total US planes shot down over North Vietnam.[2]

Vietnamese militiamen with their cobalt blue uniform in Củ Chi for an exercise.

Organization

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Nationally, VMSF is executively overseen by the Department of Militia and Self-Defense Forces (DMSF; Cục Dân quân tự vệ) under the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army. Structurally, the militia (dân quân) is organized as local-level defence units under the direct administration of the respective local military commands and governments, meanwhile, self-defence (tự vệ) units are organized in state-associated offices and organization such as state-owned businesses, factories and facilities.[3] Both of them together form the Militia and Self-Defence Forces, contradicting a popular misunderstanding that "Self-Defence" is the adjective describing the nature of "Militia" in Self-Defence Militia.

Maritime militia

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A maritime militia ship of Đà Nẵng flottila.

The Government of Vietnam legally defined maritime militia for the first time in 2009, marking the formal establishment of the Vietnamese maritime militia force (lực lượng dân quân biển).[4] Officially designated as the standing maritime militia flotilla(s) (Vietnamese: (các) Hải đội Dân quân thường trực) or simplier the maritime militiamen (dân quân biển, DQB), comparable to the casual Vietnamese militia units, they are organized as provincial-level flottillas (hải đội; also translated as platoons or squads) placed under the governments of Vietnamese coastal subdivisions, and are also purposed to do semi-professional defensive roles while "not being detached production businesses".[5]

The General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army has projected to establish maritime militia squads operating steel-hull boats in 14 of its coastal provinces and municipalities, with the first one officially launched in the Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu province in April 2021.[6][7]

Tasks

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Even though not formally mentioned by Vietnamese officials, it is widely recognized that the Vietnamese maritime militia is established to deal with China's grey-zone tactics, directly countering the Chinese Maritime Militia and is designed defensive in nature.[8][9] It was once accused as "black holes" and "potential risks" by Beijing-backed narratives in the South China Sea disputes,[10] however, such claims were formally refuted by the Vietnamese officials while it was also being challenged by scholars.[11][8]

Equipment

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Small arms
Name Type Caliber Picture Origin Notes
K54 Pistol 7.62×25mm
Vietnamese-built TT-33.[12]
AK-47 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm
[13]
Type 63 Semi automatic rifle 7.62×39mm
[14]
SKS Semi automatic rifle 7.62×39mm
[15]
M16 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm
[16]
M1 Garand Semi automatic rifle .30-06 Springfield
[17]
TAR Assault rifle 5.56×45mm
[18]
Mosin Nagant Bolt-action rifle 7.62×54mm
[19]
RPG-7 Rocket launcher 40mm
Used by maritime militia.[20]
Grenade
Name Type Caliber Picture Origin Notes
LĐ-01 Hand grenade
Domestically produced grenade, based on American M67 hand grenade.[21]
Machine gun
Name Type Caliber Picture Origin Notes
DShK Heavy machine gun 12.7×108mm
Used for air-defense and ground support.[22]
M1919 General-purpose machine gun .30-06 Springfield
[23]
M60 General-purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm
[24]
RPD Light machine gun 7.62×39mm
[25]
BAR Light machine gun .30-06 Springfield
[24]
Air Defense and Artillery
Name Type Caliber Picture Origin Notes
ZPU Anti-aircraft gun 14.5×114mm
[26]
ZU-23-2 Anti-aircraft autocannon 23mm×152mm
[27]
61-K Anti-aircraft autocannon 37×252mm
[28]
Type 65 Recoilless gun 82mm
[29]
BM-37 Mortar 82mm
[30]
ZiS-3 Field gun 76mm
[31]
D-44 Field gun 85mm
[32]

References

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  1. ^ "Vietnam Militia and Self-Defence Force (Introduction)". Ministry of Defence (Vietnam). Government of Vietnam.
  2. ^ "(MASDF) Construction, combat and development". Ministry of Defence (Vietnam). Government of Vietnam.
  3. ^ "Organisation of the Militia and Self-Defence Force". Ministry of Defence (Vietnam). Militia units are organized in communes, precincts or district towns (commonly called communes)...Activities of the MASDF are carried out according to the plans of commune-level military commanders, and of military command boards of offices and organizations, under the direct leadership as well as guidance of the Party's executive committees and the grassroots-level administrative authorities.
  4. ^ Phuong, Nguyen The (2020-05-22). "Vietnam's Maritime Militia Is Not a Black Hole in the South China Sea". Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. Retrieved 2024-06-26. ...look into its legal foundations: the 2009 and 2019 Laws on Civil Defense Forces (the latter will take effect in July 2020). The latter is a revised version of the former, which takes into account many circulars and decrees promulgated in the meantime. Before 2009, there was no formal entity called the "maritime militia," just militia units operating in coastal areas with no distinction between missions on land and at sea.
  5. ^ "Search maritime militia". en.qdnd.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  6. ^ Pham, Linh. "Vietnam to build maritime militias in 14 coastal provinces". VietNamNet Global. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  7. ^ Pham, Linh. "Vietnam sets up more maritime militias". Hanoitimes. Retrieved 2024-06-27. A militia squadron was established on June 9 in Vietnam's southern province of Kien Giang...is the first of its kind in the Mekong Delta and the second after the first set up in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau in April.
  8. ^ a b Nguyen, Khac Giang. "IP22040 | The Vietnamese Maritime Militia: Myths and Realities". S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. Vietnam's maritime militia has neither the ambition, nor the power, to engage in the kinds of maritime confrontation its Chinese counterpart has undertaken. As a tactical self-defence force, Vietnam's maritime militia is also unlikely to be the country's long-term answer to China's aggressive behaviour at sea.
  9. ^ Phuong, Nguyen The (2020-05-22). "Vietnam's Maritime Militia Is Not a Black Hole in the South China Sea". Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  10. ^ lishuhao (2020-04-30). "Vietnam's Maritime Militia: A "Black Hole" of the South China Sea". 南海战略态势感知计划. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  11. ^ Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus) (2022-01-20). "Vietnam denies information on maritime militia building". Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus). Vietnam News Agency. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  12. ^ "Sôi nổi hội thi pháp luật về dân quân tự vệ". Báo Đăk Lăk. 2021-05-11. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  13. ^ Hoàng Chung Media (2019-04-01). Hội thao tháo lắp súng trường AK - lực lượng dân quân năm thứ nhất. Retrieved 2025-06-14 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ THỨC 24H, Báo Tri thức và Cuộc sống-TIN TỨC PHỔ BIẾN KIẾN (2019-01-12). "K-63: Khẩu súng trường lai AK-47 của DQTV Việt Nam". Báo Tri thức và Cuộc sống - TIN TỨC PHỔ BIẾN KIẾN THỨC 24H (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-06-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "Tại sao Việt Nam vẫn tiếp tục sử dụng súng trường SKS?". danviet.vn. 2017-10-02. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  16. ^ THỨC 24H, Báo Tri thức và Cuộc sống-TIN TỨC PHỔ BIẾN KIẾN (2017-03-08). "Bất ngờ: Súng trường M16 vẫn được LLVT Việt Nam sử dụng". Báo Tri thức và Cuộc sống - TIN TỨC PHỔ BIẾN KIẾN THỨC 24H (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-06-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ "[ẢNH] Bất ngờ khi dân quân tự vệ sử dụng loại súng trường tốt nhất Thế chiến thứ 2". Báo điện tử An ninh Thủ đô (in Vietnamese). 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  18. ^ THỨC 24H, Báo Tri thức và Cuộc sống-TIN TỨC PHỔ BIẾN KIẾN (2024-08-21). ""Siêu súng trường tấn công" Tar-21 trang bị cho dân quân tự vệ". Báo Tri thức và Cuộc sống - TIN TỨC PHỔ BIẾN KIẾN THỨC 24H (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-06-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ sina_mobile (2020-03-01). "越南民兵军训摆拍，手中长枪成焦点，网友："神器"重出江湖了". k.sina.cn. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  20. ^ "Vùng 3 kiểm tra bắn đạn thật cho lực lượng dân quân thường trực". Báo Hải Quân. 2022-11-19. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  21. ^ "Huyện Phú Xuyên: Sôi nổi huấn luyện dân quân tự vệ năm thứ nhất". Quốc phòng toàn dân (in Vietnamese). 2017-05-03. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  22. ^ THỨC 24H, Báo Tri thức và Cuộc sống-TIN TỨC PHỔ BIẾN KIẾN (2018-07-06). "Uy lực đáng gờm vũ khí phòng không lực lượng Dân quân Tự vệ". Báo Tri thức và Cuộc sống - TIN TỨC PHỔ BIẾN KIẾN THỨC 24H (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-06-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ THỨC 24H, Báo Tri thức và Cuộc sống-TIN TỨC PHỔ BIẾN KIẾN (2018-05-27). "Bất ngờ khẩu súng máy Mỹ trong biên chế DQTV Việt Nam". Báo Tri thức và Cuộc sống - TIN TỨC PHỔ BIẾN KIẾN THỨC 24H (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-06-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ a b Nash, Ed (2020-04-11). "Vietnam Loves American Booty; What Did the Vietnam People's Army Do With All The Captured Weapons? - Weapons - Military Matters". Ed Nash's Military Matters. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  25. ^ "Kỷ niệm 88 năm ngày truyền thống Dân quân tự vệ (28/3/1935-28/3/2023): Xây dựng lực lượng dân quân tự vệ trong tình hình mới". Cổng thông tin huyện Đức Trọng. 2023-03-28. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  26. ^ "Nâng cao kiến thức quốc phòng, quân sự cho cán bộ dân quân tự vệ". Báo Bắc Ninh (in Vietnamese). 2022-03-31. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  27. ^ "Phường Lái Thiêu: Thăm cán bộ chiến sĩ nữ thuộc Đại đội Dân quân pháo phòng không tham gia huấn luyện tại BCH Quân sự Thành phố Thuận A". Thuận An City Portal (in Vietnamese). 2024-07-04. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  28. ^ ""Sao vuông" pháo phòng không 37mm". Vietnam People's Army Newspaper (in Vietnamese). 2023-07-03. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  29. ^ "Kiểm tra trình độ đối với Trung đội ĐKZ 82mm-K65". Quốc phòng Thủ đô (in Vietnamese). 2023-07-19. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  30. ^ "Hội thao phân đội pháo binh dân quân tự vệ huấn luyện giỏi năm 2019". Báo Hà Tĩnh (in Vietnamese). 2019-06-14. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  31. ^ "Bộ Chỉ huy quân sự tỉnh Hải Dương hoàn thành huấn luyện Đại đội Dân quân pháo 76.2mm". Báo Hải Phòng (in Vietnamese). 2024-06-26. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  32. ^ "Thành lập Đại đội Dân quân pháo binh 85mm huyện Thái Thụy". Báo Thái Bình (in Vietnamese). 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
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