Vietnam // Viet Cong / Propaganda & Moral Flag
Little is known about the history of this Viet Cong flag. It was acquired as a GI bringback through private purchase in 2007. It is stated to be a flag taken by a trooper from the 1st Air Cavalry Division during Operation Pegasus, mounted to lift the siege of Khe Sanh. If true it is an interesting flag since Khe Sanh was besieged by several PAVN divisions, not NLF units; although some may have participated in the opening phase of the battle.
However, ever since President Clinton normalized relations with Vietnam in 1995 there has been a lively trade in all types of war souvenirs, including flags, that all have the look of the pre-1975 items, although made for the Vietnamese war souvenir market. These commemorative NVA and VC flags are currently being made for parades and victory anniversary celebrations in Ho-Chi-Minh City. Presumably for Vietnamese veterans, now growing nostalgic and seeking a memento of service, a unit color or a victory or moral flag.
It is highly likely that these are made by the same shops and firms and possibly the same people using the same fabrics and techniques who made them in the 1970s. It would not be difficult for these to pass into the collector's market.
This flag differs from the normal NLF flag in that the star is replaced with a stylized NVA soldier, NLF fighter in front of a NLF flag.
ZFC Collectible Flag
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