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== National Security ==+
−'''Armed Forces Overview:''' Since Vietnam fought against the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia
−in 1978–89, it has demobilized about 500,000 troops and cut military spending. Still, Vietnam
−has one of the region’s largest and most powerful militaries. Furthermore, the People’s Army of
−Vietnam remains politically influential, and many senior officers have obtained leadership
−positions in the Central Committee and Politburo of the Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP).
−The military’s prestige stems from its formidable track record against such major world military
−powers as France, the United States, and China and its deep roots in society.
−
−
−'''Foreign Military Relations:''' Vietnam cooperates militarily with India and China. Vietnam
−advises India on how to combat guerrilla warfare. India helps maintain Vietnam’s MiG fighter
−planes and helps Vietnam manufacture small- and medium-sized weapons. In 2001 Vietnam
−bolstered its military cooperation with China. Russia has reduced its military presence in
−Vietnam since it abandoned control over the Camh Ranh Bay Naval Base in 2001 because it
−could not afford the expense.
−
−
−'''External Threat:''' Despite having fought a border war with China in 1979, Vietnam does not
−face an identifiable military enemy. However, sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel Islands in
−the South China Sea remains in dispute with China and several other nations. In addition,
−Cambodia and Laos have protested incursions by Vietnamese squatters.
−
−
−'''Defense Budget:''' In 2003 Vietnam’s defense budget was estimated at US$2.3 billion.
−
−
−'''Major Military Units:''' Vietnam’s active-duty military consists of a 412,000-member army, a
−42,000-member navy, a 30,000-member air and air defense force, and a 40,000-member
−paramilitary border defense corps. The army, which is deployed in nine military regions
−(including Hanoi), consists of headquarters, 58 infantry divisions, 3 mechanized infantry
−divisions, 10 armored battalions, 15 independent infantry regiments, special forces and airborne
−brigades, 10 field artillery brigades, 8 engineering divisions, 10 to 15 economic construction
−divisions, and 20 independent engineering brigades. The navy, including naval infantry, is
−deployed in four naval regions. The People’s Air Force consists of three air divisions, each with
−three regiments.
−
−
−'''Major Military Equipment:''' The army is equipped with 1,315 main battle tanks, 620 light
−tanks, 100 reconnaissance vehicles, 300 armored infantry fighting vehicles, 1,380 armored
−personnel carriers, 2,300 towed artillery, and more than 30 self-propelled artillery. The army also
−has an unspecified number of combined gun/mortars, assault guns, multiple rocket launchers,
−mortars, surface-to-surface missiles, antitank guided weapons, recoilless launchers, air defense
−guns, and surface-to-air missiles. The navy has 2 Yugo-class submarines, 6 frigates, 1 corvette,
−12 missile craft, 10 torpedo craft, 19 inshore patrol combatants, 10 mine warfare ships, 6
−amphibious ships, and at least 30 support craft. The People’s Air Force has 189 combat aircraft
−(53 Su–22, 12 Su–27, and 124 MiG–21) and 26 Mi–24 armed helicopters.
−
−
−'''Military Service:''' Military service is compulsory, usually for two years. In late 2001, Vietnam
−reinstated the requirement that women register for military service. However, barring an
−emergency mobilization, they are unlikely to be called up. Mandatory military service for
−women had been abandoned in 1975 at the end of the nation’s civil war.
−
−
−'''Paramilitary Forces:''' Vietnam has a 4-million to 5-million-member paramilitary reserve force,
−consisting of the People’s Self-Defense Force and the rural People’s Militia.
−
−
−'''Police:''' The Ministry of Public Security controls the police, a national security investigative agency, and other units that maintain internal security.
−
−
−'''Internal Threat:''' The government seeks to prevent the expression of views critical of the
−government and non-sanctioned religious worship. When some dissidents sought to evade
−official media controls by using the Internet to disseminate their views, the government
−responded by introducing Internet restrictions. Although dissident activity generates substantial
−press commentary, it does not pose a threat to the regime’s stability.
−
−
−The Montagnard ethnic minority represents a special case. This group is seeking a return of its
−ancestral lands in the Central Highlands. The Montagnards, who traditionally have opposed the
−communist government, receive support from overseas Vietnamese, particularly the United
−States-based Montagnard Foundation. After a violent clash with demonstrators in April 2004, the
−government boosted its security presence in the region.
−
−
−'''Terrorism:''' Following al Qaeda’s attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, Vietnam
−expressed sympathy for the victims and qualified support for the war on terrorism. Vietnam
−urged that any steps taken against terrorists be consistent with international cooperation within
−the bounds of the United Nations Charter, target the culprits, and avoid larger-scale warfare.
−
−
−In April 2004, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) issued a draft decree to combat money
−laundering as a source of terrorist financing. This move followed pressure from the United
−States, which denied requests by the Vietcombank and the Vietnam Bank for Investment and
−Development to set up representative offices on the grounds that they could be used to finance
−international terrorism.
−
−
−'''Human Rights:''' In its 2004 report on Human Rights Practices, the U.S. Department of State
−characterized Vietnam’s human rights record as “poor” and cited the continuation of “serious
−abuses.” According to the report, the government has imposed restrictions on freedom of speech,
−freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association. Citizens are denied the
−right to change their government. The government continues to hold political prisoners who have
−expressed views at odds with government policy. Prison conditions are generally “harsh, but not
−unduly so given the country's level of economic development,” according to the State
−Department assessment. Vietnam has no independent judiciary, and there is no right to a fair and
−speedy trial. Human rights organizations are not permitted to operate. Discrimination against
−women and ethnic minorities, child labor, and prostitution are serious problems. The government
−is attempting to address the child labor issue.
−
−
−The government officially provides for freedom of religion and recognizes Buddhist, Roman
−Catholic, Protestant, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, and Muslim denominations. However, non-sanctioned
−groups, including branches of even the recognized denominations, face harassment. Furthermore,
−the government insists on supervising the clergies of the sanctioned groups (by approving
−appointments, for example) in the interest of “national unity.”
−
−
−In April 2004, 20,000 to 30,000 members of the Montagnard ethnic minority gathered to protest
−for the return of their ancestral lands in the Central Highlands and an end to religious repression.
−Human Rights Watch alleges that hundreds of demonstrators were wounded and at least 10 killed
−in a clash with Vietnamese officials and civilians. The Vietnamese government is concerned that
−the Montagnards are seeking an independent state.
* [[Directory:Vietnam/Vietnam Government And Politics|Vietnam Government And Politics]]
* [[Directory:Vietnam/Vietnam Government And Politics|Vietnam Government And Politics]]
−* [[Directory:Vietnam/Vietnam National Security|Vietnam National Security]]
−* [[Directory:Vietnam/Vietnam National Security|Vietnam National Security]]
−
