US Forces vs. NVA: Which Faction Should You Play in Hell Let Loose: Vietnam?

This isn't a repeat of the Overview page -- it's a closer look at how the two factions actually play differently, based on official materials and pre-release community guides ahead of the August 13 launch.

Faction Asymmetry Is Real, Not Cosmetic

US Armed Forces and the North Vietnamese Army aren't reskins of the same kit -- their core tools are genuinely different. US forces get fully operational UH-1 Huey helicopters for insertions, extractions, and fire support -- a first for the entire Hell Let Loose series. The NVA (including Viet Cong forces) can construct tunnel networks instead, creating hidden spawn points that let them emerge behind enemy lines. Neither side is simply a mirror of the other's logistics.

Picking a Role Within Your Faction

Both sides share the same 6 broad unit types -- Command, Infantry, Recon, Armour, Helicopter, and Mortar -- but the Helicopter unit specifically is US-exclusive, tied to the Pilot and Logistics Officer roles. If flying and aerial support appeals to you, that's a US-only path. If you'd rather fight from concealment and ambush, the NVA's tunnel networks offer a genuinely different playstyle no US role replicates.

Don't Copy the Other Side's Playbook

Since logistics and movement options differ meaningfully between factions, tactics that work well for US forces -- leaning on helicopter mobility, for instance -- won't necessarily translate to NVA play, which leans more on concealment and underground movement. Learn your chosen faction's actual strengths rather than assuming universal tactics.

New to the Series? Use the Tutorial

This is the first Hell Let Loose game with a dedicated new-player tutorial -- take advantage of it before jumping into a live 50v50 match, especially given the series' long-standing reputation for a steep learning curve without it.

See the full data: Hell Let Loose: Vietnam Classes