The Vietnam People's Army (VPA) is official name for the armed forces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. During the Second Indochinese War (Vietnam War) (1957–1975), the U.S. incorrectly 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 name in Vietnamese is Quân Ð?i Nhân Dân Vi?t Nam, and has always been officially known as such since its initial formation in 1944. The VPA was not the Vi?t C?ng (although certain elements disguised as such occasionally and after the reunification of the country in 1976, all former Vi?t C?ng 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 Vi?t Minh even though Vi?t 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 Coast Guard.

The main force of the VPA consists of combat ready troops, as well as educational institutions for logistics, officer training, and technical training. The current number stands at 412,000 regular soldiers. Local forces are an entity of the VPA that, together with the militia and "self-defense forces," act on the local level in protection of people and local authorities. While the local forces are regular VPA forces, the militia consists of rural civilians, and the self-defense forces consist of civilians who live in urban areas and/or work in large groups, such as at construction sites or farms. The current number stands at 3-4 million part-time soldiers.

Overview

Military branches :
People's Army of Vietnam: Ground Forces, People's Navy Command (includes Naval Infantry), Air and Air Defense Force, Coast Guard

Military manpower - military age and obligation :
18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004), 3-4 years in the navy; 18-45 years of age (male) or 18-40 years of age (female) for Militia Force or Self Defense Forces (2006)

Military manpower - availability :
males age 18-49: 21,341,813 (2005 est.)
females age 18-49: 21,430,808 (2005 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service :
males age 18-49: 16,032,358 (2005 est.)
females age 18-49: 17,921,241 (2005 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually :
males: 915,572 (2005 est.)
females age 18-49: 864,161 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure :
$650 million (FY98)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP :
2.5% (FY98)