| Military branches | People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN): PAVN Ground Forces, PAVN Navy (includes naval infantry), PAVN Air Force and Air Defense, Border Defense Force, and Vietnam Coast Guard; Vietnam People's Public Security; Vietnam Civil Defense Force (2019) |
| Military service age and obligation | 18-27 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (females eligible for conscription, but in practice only males are drafted); conscription typically takes place twice annually and service obligation is 2 years (Army, Air Defense) and 3 years (Navy and Air Force) (2019) |
| Military expenditures | 2.3% of GDP (2018) 2.3% of GDP (2017) 2.5% of GDP (2016) 2.4% of GDP (2015) 2.3% of GDP (2014) |
| Maritime threats | the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift; the number of reported incidents increased from two in 2017 to four in 2018, primarily near the port of Vung Tau |
Source: CIA World Factbook
This page was last updated on Friday, November 27, 2020
