What was the the difference between the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong?

Answer 1

The Viet Cong was the military arm of the National Liberation Front, South Vietnamese Communists, who supported the goals of the North Vietnamese Communists in their attempt to gain military and political control over South Vietnam. The North Vietnamese Army was the regular army of North Vietnam. MrV

Answer 2

The VC (Viet Cong) were NOT regular army personnel. They were, for the most part, South Vietnamese Communists, living in South Vietnam; who used captured weapons, home made weapons, captured uniforms, home made uniforms, and fought as small units, platoon or company sized outfits. There were times when the VC fought as larger units, but they soon found out that they were more suited for smaller unit fighting; guerrilla warfare. In the beginning of the war, the VC were effective, but when they came out in the open, in 1968 (TET Offensive) they were practically eliminated as an effective force. From 1969 onward, most of the fighting was carried out by the GI nick-named, "hardcore" NVA.

By 1969 onwards, the NVA encountered in South Vietnam was an OD uniformed draftee just like his US GI counterpart. He was ISSUED an AK-47, OD Pith Helmet, and uniform, with a military leather belt and metal belt buckle (Pith Helmets & belt buckles with Red Stars were "Prized War Souvenirs"; we couldn't bring home the AK, so we would take the bayonet off and bring that home instead; the communist SPIKE bayonet can be turned into a good screwdriver tool). The NVA had a chain of command, Captains, Lieutenants, SGT's, etc. and orders. When we engaged NVA elements, we ALWAYS had a fight on our hands.

The VC were mainly encountered in the Southern portions of SOUTH Vietnam, the mekong delta regions, even after 1968. The NVA roamed the Central Highlands and above that area (I Corps). If you were shot at while in the field, and the bullets were high, and you returned fire...then nothng else happend, meaning it was over with; then you've just experienced a contact with the "local VC" (were talking 1970 time frame). If your getting shot at, and the bullets keep coming; you return fire, and they really start shoot'en...then it's most likely an NVA contact. Time to pull back and call in an air strike! That's why we called the NVA, "Hardcore." They didn't back off! If their officers didn't order a retreat or withdrawal, we had to fight em...with the NVA it was always a good idea to call in artillery and air strikes.

Answer 3

NVA were part of the North Vietnamese ARMY. They were trained, uniformed combat troops, just like the armies they fought: US, ARVN, S. Koreans, Australians, New Zealanders, etc. NVA had tanks, artillery, and were supported by the North Vietnamese Air Force (flying MiG 17, MiG 19, and MiG 21 jet fighters), and a North Viet Navy (mostly equipped with patrol boats); all or most of which was Soviet/Chicom supplied. (Chicom=Chinese Communist). The VC were normally not uniformed & were not from North Vietnam; normally they were born and raised (and lived) in South Vietnam. Primarily small arms only; no tanks, jets, artillery, etc.