(VIETNAM HISTORY) term coined by the authorities in South Vietnam to refer to the patriotic insurgency against the Saigon regime. The term has been traced to the head of Ngo Dinh Diem's secret police, although at this time (1960) the insurgents were not always Communist. The correct term is "National Liberation Front" (
NLF).
"Cong" is used to mimic the term "Com," for "Communist." The
Vietnamese language does not really allow speakers to pronounce "Com."
The National Liberation Front was originally an
association of many organizations, including religious organizations. The leader, Hua Tho, was not a Marxist at all. However, the Diem
administration organized the physical extermination of all opposition, including peaceful opposition, so the result was that only underground guerrilla movements could actually engage in politics. Naturally, the survival of the NLF depended on its ability to fight the Saigon regime, which meant rural insurgency, which meant gradual integration into the PAVN command structure.
The NLF grew quite strong; by 1968, it was able to carry out crucial operations in the Tet Offensive.
Unfortunately, it was almost eradicated by the US military in the offensive, and had to be recreated.
The most popular aspect of
the National Liberation Front program was the promise to take the land from the rich and to
distribute it to the peasants.
After Diem had gained power in South Vietnam, he reversed Viet Minh land reforms, causing his regime to be bitterly hated by most peasants. So they joined the Viet Cong.
