SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM MILITARY FLAGS

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

CURRENT ARMED FORCES FLAGS

The armed forces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, are collectively titled the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN). Its branches are the Ground Forces, the Air Force, the Navy, the Border Guard, and the Coast Guard. The Ground Forces do not constitute a formal branch. Its components come directly under the command of the Ministry of Defense and the PAVN General Staff as "combined arms" elements.

The PAVN traces its origins to 1944, when it was organized for the purpose of driving out the French colonialists and Japanese occupiers. The current war flag, which was adopted in 1955, is the national flag with the motto of the PAVN, "Determined to Win," in the upper hoist. This flag is also used to represent the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff, and the Ground Forces. The other service branches us the same flag with their title added below the star.

The war flag variant of the Navy is used on land. At sea a naval ensign based on that of the defunct USSR is used, with the national flag as the naval jack. No information concerning a naval commissioning pennant is available; if one exists it may be red with a golden yellow star at the hoist.

There are two other paramilitary organizations that are not branches of the PAVN. The Vietnam Self-Defense Militia is a part-time military organization that in peacetime is administered by the Communist Party of Vietnam. When mobilized in wartime or during a state of emergency, it falls under the command of the PAVN. The Vietnam People's Public Security Forces is the national police force, administered by the Ministry of Public Security. Its responsibilities include national security tasks in cooperation with the PAVN.

Flag Proportions: Flags of the PAVN have 2:3 proportions.