The Viet Cong, short for "Việt Nam Cộng-sản," was a communist guerrilla force that operated in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The Viet Cong was an armed wing of the National Liberation Front (NLF), which was a political organization seeking to overthrow the South Vietnamese government and reunify Vietnam under communist rule. The Viet Cong emerged in the late 1950s and gained strength throughout the 1960s. They were composed of South Vietnamese communist supporters and fighters, including former members of the Viet Minh, who had fought against French colonial rule during the First Indochina War.

The Viet Cong employed guerrilla tactics, blending in with the local population and conducting hit-and-run attacks against South Vietnamese government forces, American troops, and their allies. They utilized ambushes, booby traps, and surprise attacks to target military installations, supply convoys, and strategic positions. The Viet Cong received support and training from North Vietnam, which provided them with weapons, supplies, and guidance. They often used the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a network of roads and trails that stretched through neighboring Laos and Cambodia, to transport personnel and supplies.

In addition to military operations, the Viet Cong engaged in political activities and social programs to win the support of the rural population in South Vietnam. They aimed to undermine the legitimacy of the South Vietnamese government and establish a communist regime. The Viet Cong was a formidable adversary for the South Vietnamese government and its allies. Their ability to blend in with the local population, along with their knowledge of the terrain, made them a challenging force to combat. They often targeted remote and rural areas where government control was weak.

The conflict with the Viet Cong was characterized by a protracted guerrilla war, with both sides engaging in a cycle of attacks and counterattacks. The Viet Cong's strength and influence peaked in the late 1960s, during the Tet Offensive, a series of coordinated attacks across South Vietnam.

Ultimately, the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces were successful in achieving their objective of reunifying Vietnam under communist rule. The fall of Saigon in 1975 marked the end of the Vietnam War and the victory of the communist forces. The Viet Cong's role in the Vietnam War was significant, as they were a major component of the overall communist insurgency in South Vietnam. Their tactics and determination had a profound impact on the course and outcome of the conflict.