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PAVN Divisions

PAVN places great importance on the unit histories of its infantry divisions. Of special significance are the original six 'Steel and Iron' Divisions, many of which have assumed an honored status similar to the Guards Divisions in the Soviet Army. The Steel and Iron Divisions usually get the best equipment, and some have been chosen for conversion to mechanized divisions. During times of decreased hostilities, regular divisions are sometimes reduced to brigades.

Since 1975 infantry divisions have occasionally been reduced to economic construction divisions under the PAVN General Economic Construction Directorate or engineer divisions under the PAV Engineer Directorate. Lighter than regular infantry divisions (about 4,000 men), these units have primarily economic tasks, e.g. building bridges and roads, as well as forward defence. In times of conflict they can be used on the front line, as they were in the 1979 war with China.

The 308 Infantry Division (the first mobile regular unit of the VPA) was established on August 28, 1949 in Don Du town, Dong Hy district, Thai Nguyen province. It consisted of 3 infantry brigades (88, 102, 36), the 11 Infantry Regiment (Phu Thong Regiment), the 410 Artillery Regiment and affiliated units. In 1950 the PAVN had only three Infantry Divisions– the 304th, 308th, and 320th. In May 1951 Chinese advisors equipped the 316th, 320th, and 325th Infantry Divisions– these were the six "Steel and Iron" divisions. By the end of 1952, the PAVN had three more Infantry Divisions.

As of mid-1986, the thirty-eight PAVN regular infantry divisions were assigned thus: nineteen in Cambodia, sixteen in Vietnam (ten in northern Vietnam, six in central and southern Vietnam), and three in Laos. Most of the thirteen economic construction divisions were in the China border region. A construction division was made up of older soldiers, including many who had fought in the South during the Second Indochina War. Each construction division was fully armed, had a specific tactical purpose, and continued to carry out its military training in addition to economic tasks, usually road building. These units carried the burden of the brief 1979 war with China and generally acquitted themselves well.

In 1987, a PAVN infantry division was normally composed of 3 infantry regiments (2,500 men each), 1 artillery regiment, 1 tank battalion, and the usual support elements. A regiment in turn was divided into battalions (600 men each) and the battalion into companies (200 men each).

As of 2006, the PAVN army consisted of 61 Infantry Divisions, of which only three were Mechanized Infantry Divisions. These divisions varied in size from about 5,000 to 12,500 troops depending on the specific location and combat readiness, with an average size of about 9,000 troops. All-in-all, these divisions added up to about 420,000 regular troops supported by 10 Independent Armored Brigades and 10 Independent Artillery Brigades. An Artillery Brigade was defined by the PAVN as a unit that uses 12.7mm heavy machine guns and medium mortars. Additional support was provided in the form of 15 Independent Infantry Divisions, 8 Engineer Divisions, and 15 Economic Labor Divisions. The Vietnamese special forces were composed of 5 regiments trained in sapper operations which include airborne and amphibious operations. In addition to these troops were paramilitary and militia reserve forces.

Following the Soviet system of combat readiness, the PAVN ground forces had three levels depending on the type of division. The mechanized division, the six "Steel and Iron" divisions, as well as Hanoi's strategic reserve, the elite 308th division, were all maintained at level A, with the best available equipment, regular training, and the highest manning levels. About 50-60% of the divisions were maintained at level B, denoting reduced manpower and limited mobility, but able to be brought up to full strength with the addition of reserves, however, the quality would vary from division to division. The rest of the divisions were maintained at level C, which tend to be small divisions of around 5,000 troops that performed "economic development" functions such as agricultural and infrastructural work. These level C divisions could offer very little aside from static defense in a conflict.