| NORTH VIETNAMESE ARMY REGULAR AUTHENTICITY REQUIREMENTS (with photo examples at bottom of this page) |
Uniform-
Shirt- Long sleeved cotton with 2 scalloped button pockets with pleats, tail may be cuffed or “tuck-in” style. Colors
vary from Khaki drab to a darker Olive Green.
Trousers- 2 front pocket cotton trousers, may have belt loops or integral belt and have 1 or 2 rear pockets, should
have button tab at the cuffs for blousing of trousers near ankles.
Socks- Khaki, Olive Drab or White elastic top.
Trouser Belt- Typically Khaki web belt. May have “Star” break-away buckle or roller buckle.
Boots- Canvas low boots with rubber sole Khaki or OD Green, typically with black or OD Green soles.
Hat- Floppy “Jungle Hat” in Khaki or OD Green, may have a chin strap. Please remove all pins from hats!
Field Equipment-
Helmet- Fiberboard “pith or sun helmet” with Khaki or OD Green cloth covering. Please remove all insignia and pins!
Parachute cloth cover optional.
Chest Pouch- For AK or SKS. OD Green or Khaki with wooden toggles or buttons.
Canteen- Metal canteen painted green or left bare, it may have web shoulder strap or belt suspension.
Rucksack- Chicom style 2 or 3 pocket cloth rucksack in OD Green or Khaki.
Grenade Pouch- Chicom style grenade pouch with shoulder strap in a 2 or 4 grenade capacity.
Drum Pouch for RPD/RPK (also makes good canteen storage)
RPG Bag for RPG2 or RPG7 (Gunner and Assistant Gunner)
Insect Repellant we suggest both personal and area spray for your position or sleeping area.
E-Tool- must be of Soviet, ChiCom or Vietnamese manufacture. Handle should be natural wood color, blade should
be OD Green.
Mess Kit- some Soviet and Chicom were issued, but basic rice tube, bowl, chopsticks, and deep soup spoon eating
utensils were the most common.
Cups- aluminum or enameled steel type in Soviet, ChiCom or Vietnamese patterns.
Machete or Plantation tool.
Medic’s Bag with supplies.
U.S. Parachute material- for use as camo cape, poncho, blanket or shelter.
Hammock- canvas or net type, khaki or green, simple w/o struts or other modern hardware.
Mosquito Net- home made or US Army issue.
Ground Mat or Sheet- Typical woven Asian mat, hammock or a shelter half as ground sheet.
Lighting Sources- Soviet, East German or ChiCom flashlight or captured US type. Period oil lantern, period Military
Coleman type gas lantern, converted .50 cal, 20mm, 37mm or 40mm brass shell casing lantern.
Weapons-
AK-47 or AKM- Must be 7.62x39mm. No thumb hole stocks or “sporterized” versions. Full wood stocks or Chinese
“underfolder” style stock with No scopes and only 30 round magazines please!
SKS- 7.62x39mm. No scopes, No extended magazines or removable magazines!
RPD- 7.62x39mm. Drum magazines
RP-46 Degtyarev (LMG) (7.62 x 54Rmm) DP-28 with a pistol grip and belt feed kit.
SG-43 (SGM) Goryunov (LMG) (7.62 x 54Rmm)
PK (PKM) (7.62 x 54Rmm)
DShK M-38/46 12.7mm HMG
RPG-2 Sim-fire (Any direct fire projectiles require approval of Event Organizers and all vehicle owners. If anyone
objects to what you plan to shoot at them, you cannot use it.)
RPG-7 Sim Fire (Any direct fire projectiles require approval of Event Organizers and all vehicle owners. If anyone
objects to what you plan to shoot at them, you cannot use it.)
General-
All personal items such as jewelry, watches, eyeglasses, etc. should be period. If your impression includes a
wristwatch, it should be as plain and simple a style as possible hung on a plain cotton or nylon strap. Remember
that NVA/VC troops were largely peasants and farmers and may have never owned a wristwatch. Round lens metal
framed eyeglasses are most correct. Hair would normally be worn short on the sides and a little longer on top for
NVA. VC and Civilians would wear their hair a little longer on both sides and top. The typical NVA/VC would be clean
shaven (or typically unable to grow facial hair).
Shirt- Long sleeved cotton with 2 scalloped button pockets with pleats, tail may be cuffed or “tuck-in” style. Colors
vary from Khaki drab to a darker Olive Green.
Trousers- 2 front pocket cotton trousers, may have belt loops or integral belt and have 1 or 2 rear pockets, should
have button tab at the cuffs for blousing of trousers near ankles.
Socks- Khaki, Olive Drab or White elastic top.
Trouser Belt- Typically Khaki web belt. May have “Star” break-away buckle or roller buckle.
Boots- Canvas low boots with rubber sole Khaki or OD Green, typically with black or OD Green soles.
Hat- Floppy “Jungle Hat” in Khaki or OD Green, may have a chin strap. Please remove all pins from hats!
Field Equipment-
Helmet- Fiberboard “pith or sun helmet” with Khaki or OD Green cloth covering. Please remove all insignia and pins!
Parachute cloth cover optional.
Chest Pouch- For AK or SKS. OD Green or Khaki with wooden toggles or buttons.
Canteen- Metal canteen painted green or left bare, it may have web shoulder strap or belt suspension.
Rucksack- Chicom style 2 or 3 pocket cloth rucksack in OD Green or Khaki.
Grenade Pouch- Chicom style grenade pouch with shoulder strap in a 2 or 4 grenade capacity.
Drum Pouch for RPD/RPK (also makes good canteen storage)
RPG Bag for RPG2 or RPG7 (Gunner and Assistant Gunner)
Insect Repellant we suggest both personal and area spray for your position or sleeping area.
E-Tool- must be of Soviet, ChiCom or Vietnamese manufacture. Handle should be natural wood color, blade should
be OD Green.
Mess Kit- some Soviet and Chicom were issued, but basic rice tube, bowl, chopsticks, and deep soup spoon eating
utensils were the most common.
Cups- aluminum or enameled steel type in Soviet, ChiCom or Vietnamese patterns.
Machete or Plantation tool.
Medic’s Bag with supplies.
U.S. Parachute material- for use as camo cape, poncho, blanket or shelter.
Hammock- canvas or net type, khaki or green, simple w/o struts or other modern hardware.
Mosquito Net- home made or US Army issue.
Ground Mat or Sheet- Typical woven Asian mat, hammock or a shelter half as ground sheet.
Lighting Sources- Soviet, East German or ChiCom flashlight or captured US type. Period oil lantern, period Military
Coleman type gas lantern, converted .50 cal, 20mm, 37mm or 40mm brass shell casing lantern.
Weapons-
AK-47 or AKM- Must be 7.62x39mm. No thumb hole stocks or “sporterized” versions. Full wood stocks or Chinese
“underfolder” style stock with No scopes and only 30 round magazines please!
SKS- 7.62x39mm. No scopes, No extended magazines or removable magazines!
RPD- 7.62x39mm. Drum magazines
RP-46 Degtyarev (LMG) (7.62 x 54Rmm) DP-28 with a pistol grip and belt feed kit.
SG-43 (SGM) Goryunov (LMG) (7.62 x 54Rmm)
PK (PKM) (7.62 x 54Rmm)
DShK M-38/46 12.7mm HMG
RPG-2 Sim-fire (Any direct fire projectiles require approval of Event Organizers and all vehicle owners. If anyone
objects to what you plan to shoot at them, you cannot use it.)
RPG-7 Sim Fire (Any direct fire projectiles require approval of Event Organizers and all vehicle owners. If anyone
objects to what you plan to shoot at them, you cannot use it.)
General-
All personal items such as jewelry, watches, eyeglasses, etc. should be period. If your impression includes a
wristwatch, it should be as plain and simple a style as possible hung on a plain cotton or nylon strap. Remember
that NVA/VC troops were largely peasants and farmers and may have never owned a wristwatch. Round lens metal
framed eyeglasses are most correct. Hair would normally be worn short on the sides and a little longer on top for
NVA. VC and Civilians would wear their hair a little longer on both sides and top. The typical NVA/VC would be clean
shaven (or typically unable to grow facial hair).
| The 4th People's Army of Vietnam Infantry Regiment has high authenticity standards. Despite the fact that most of the unit does not have Asiatic features, we still make a concerted effort to provide the most authentic and typical looking NVA soldier. We wear what was most COMMONLY seen, not the odd or rare exception to the rule! |
