Minimum Viet Cong Kit

The purpose of this guide is to help you purchase equipment to pass the 10ft rule standards held by Broken Arrow Event’s staff at Operation Junction City or similar events. Please notice that this is based on a kit that meets the MINIMUM requirements to attend. We prefer and advise to buy original or high quality reproductions if your budget allows to do so. A really well done Viet Cong kit is probably the least expensive impression when it comes to Vietnam loadouts.

Head Gear:

Pith Helmet:

After World War II, the communist Viet Minh and later the People’s Army of Vietnam of the North based their helmet design on the French pith helmet of the former colonial power and adopted it as their own. Pith helmets weren’t common among the ranks of the Viet Cong but they were used by the better supplied units. If you were looking for a hard cover for your Viet Cong kit, then a pith helmet is an ideal route.

Amazon Search: CLICK HERE

Soft Cover:

NVA Boonie Hat:

The style of the NVA boonie differs from other types and styles of boonie hats, especially the American styles of the era. They were built using panels that you’d see on a beach ball sewn into each other from the brim to the top. They come in all types of colors, tan, green and even some camo patterns. Moores and Combat Sports Supply have variants of this hat for $25.

Moores Militaria: CLICK HERE

Combat Sports Supply: CLICK HERE

Civilian Hat:

Conical Rice Hat:

Known as rice hats, farmers hats or coolie hat, these are worn by the populace in Asian countries to protect from the harsh sun. The Viet Cong as much as movies want you to believe, did not go marching into battle wearing them. They were used to blend in with the civilians in the area not to mention most VC acted as civilians during non operational times. If you show up wearing a conical hat, ready to fight, your cadre will ask you to remove them. They will have a use throughout the operation though.

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Uniform:

The most typical uniform for the Viet Cong would be civilian garb. That means the famous “black pajamas” that pretty much everyone in the countryside wore. The cheapest option for putting together a set of Vietnamese black pajamas are dickies work shirt and dickies scrubs, both in black. They can be found on Amazon for reasonable prices. Avoid the scrubs with cargo pockets and choose the drawstring style. About $15 gets you the pants. Another $20 gets you a shirt, rip the tag off and you have a set of black pajamas for $35.

Dickies Scrub Pants on Amazon: CLICK HERE

Dickies Work Shirt on Amazon: CLICK HERE

There are vendors on eBay and surplus sites that sell actual Viet Cong black pajamas out there for about $50-$100. The Dickies “Black Pajamas” will pass the 10ft ruling. Please don’t show up wearing all black tactical BDUs or clothes that makes you look like you’re about to rock out at a Metallica concert… You’re impression is to look the part of a local guerrilla fighter from 1960s Vietnam.

An honorable mention is this site called Vietnam Surplus. They sell a full VC kit for about $38.99. We never ordered from them but the outfit looks pretty good. In fact they have a lot of nice items for an impression. CLICK HERE

Boots:

We don’t expect you to wear sandals. Though there are some hard core participants that have worn them, we understand wanting to keep your toenails. One option for VC footwear are USGI jungle boots. A little history lesson reveals that the US did indeed drop these into the jungles for them to be picked up for the NVA and VC. This was intended to mask the tracks of LRRP teams operating in the area. Most economic options are post war boots since they haven’t changed much and aren’t too expensive, around $50 on eBay or surplus sites. The best answer for saving money though are Rothco’s or Fox’s repro. They do have a bad reputation about being flimsy and uncomfortable. They do the job and most people we know that do use them haven’t had a problem with them. They will run you about $30-$40.

eBay Search: CLICK HERE

Repros on Amazon: CLICK HERE

PLA or Paladium Boots:

The standard issue boot for the NVA were similar to Paladium boots. They are sort of look like Converse sneakers. You can also get the new and now trendy Paladium boots for about $40. On eBay for about $25 is a pair of Chinese PLA 65 boots. They are fantastic, comfortable and quiet.

Type 65 PLA Boots on eBay: CLICK HERE

Paladium Boots on eBay: CLICK HERE

Load Bearing Equipment:

This is something you could skip out on entirely and carry around a satchel or bandolier. Either way a chicom chest rig costs anywhere from $15-$25. Make sure it is the 3-cell type not the type 81 four cell though. These were designed to carry AK47 banana shaped magazines. Depending on your rifle, an SKS rig could be more appropriate. Those are even cheaper than chicom rigs usually.

3-Cell Chicom Chest Rig on eBay: CLICK HERE

SKS Chest Rig on eBay: CLICK HERE

Rucksack:

There aren’t many choices when it comes to PAVN rucksacks. You could go with the NVA rucksack for anywhere from $20-$50. Or you can make something homemade. The best part about being a Viet Cong is that you can get really creative. Perhaps make something out of a basket or a canvas sack.

eBay Search for NVA Rucks: CLICK HERE

Rifle:

A Viet Cong fighter has a wide range of weapons to choose from. From the AK47 to the Mosin Nagant to American WW2 weapons. Listed is the CYMA AK47 but there are more expensive options like Tommy Guns, MP40s or PPSHs. Browning BARs are a good choice as well. Again, this guide is for the cheapest possible kit and currently the CYMA AK47s are the best rifle for the price.

AK47 or AKM:

One of the most produced weapons in the world. There are a few variants that would be found in 1960s Vietnam. CYMA AK47s are great shooters and can be found relatively inexpensively.

Evike link: CLICK HERE or CLICK HERE

AK47 Magazines:

The basic AK47 mags that are all black and not the newer orange/brown type are the ones you need. If you wanted to save money, you can buy 2 mags as most VC were lucky to even be issued that many.

Airsoft GI Magazine Pack: CLICK HERE

Basic VC Kit Pricing

NVA Boonie Hat: $25
Black Pajama Uniform: $35
PLA Type 65 Boots: $25
Chicom: $20
NVA Rucksack: $30*
AK47 Rifle: $100^
5 Magazines: $40

^on sale for $69