Strategic and Operational Genius of General Vo Nguyen Giap: A Funny ThingHappened on the Way to Hanoi

摘要

In his role as Commander of the Viet Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap developed intoan extremely effective military leader who demonstrated significant strategic and operational acumen in his approach to war. However, in the subsequent conflict against South Vietnam and the United States, his effectiveness was constrained by the additional duties and responsibilities he had been assigned. He was further hindered in executing the war as he saw necessary due to the involvement of the Politburo in the military strategic decision making process. Although North Vietnam ultimately compelled the United States to leave the country and subsequently conquered the South, a comparison of this effort with the manner in which they defeated the French raises questions for further study dealing with the issue of what is the most effective way to fight a revolutionary war.