During the Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, the People’s Army of Vietnam comprised the regular uniformed military force of North Vietnam, and as a result were often known as the NVA, or North Vietnamese Army. This force was distinct from the Viet-Cong, which was a southern based insurgent force active in the conflict as well, although both were communist aligned and opposed to the Republic of Vietnam and its allies Shipping tracked and secured