Vietcong

American  

[vee-et-kong, -kawng, vyet-, vee-it-] / viˌɛtˈkɒŋ, -ˈkɔŋ, ˌvyɛt-, ˌvi ɪt- /

Or Viet Cong

noun

1. a Communist-led army and guerrilla force in South Vietnam that fought its government and was supported by North Vietnam.

2. a member or supporter of this force.

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adjective

1. of or relating to this force or one of its members or supporters.

Vietcong British  

/ ˌvjɛtˈkɒŋ /

noun

1. the Communist-led guerrilla force and revolutionary army of South Vietnam; the armed forces of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam

2. a member of these armed forces

3. (modifier) of or relating to the Vietcong or a Vietcong

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Etymology

Origin of Vietcong

First recorded in 1960–65, Vietcong is from the Vietnamese word Việt-cộng

Compare meaning

How does vietcong compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Vietminh vs. Vietcong

Example Sentences

"It's an underground city of tunnels that make the Vietcong tunnels look like child's play," said the first regional source, referring to the Communist guerrilla force that defied U.S. troops in Vietnam.

From Reuters • Oct. 18, 2023

The goal was to increase rainfall, which would muddy up the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a network of coarse roads, interrupting Vietcong supply lines.

From Scientific American • Sep. 20, 2023

Four years later he won an Overseas Press Club Award for a documentary on the Vietcong.

From New York Times • Jan. 8, 2023

Embassy in Saigon when it was frantically evacuated in 1975, as the Vietcong swept into the city.

From New York Times • Aug. 15, 2021

The Vietcong had abandoned Khesanh, and 20,000 American troops were marching to relieve the marines—and to find missing American soldiers.

From "The Wednesday Wars" by Gary D. Schmidt