How did the geography of Vietnam affect how battles were fought?

The physical geography of Vietnam played an instrumental role during the war as the terrain and climate offered many challenges to the American forces. Vietnam is part of the Indochinese Peninsula which stretches 1,650 meters from north to south. Vietnam shares a border with China, Laos, and Cambodia. The country is very hilly as only 20% of Vietnam is level land. The highest peak in Vietnam is Fan Si Pan at 3,142 meters located in the extreme northwest of the Highlands.

The country of Vietnam is segmented into eight different regions: Northeast, Northwest, Red River Delta, North Central Coast, South Central Coast, Central Highlands, Southeast, and the Mekong River Delta. Within these regions are various physical geographical features which make up the uniqueness of Vietnam. In the Mekong River Delta lies a flat, but fertile plain called the Southern Lowland. In the North, the Red River Delta is also a flat plain called the Tonkin Lowland. The Annam Cordillera mountain range starts in the north and runs south along the Laos/Vietnam border where it spreads out to form the Central Highlands. The South Central Coast lies between the Annam Cordillera range and the South China Sea.

Using these regions will bring a sense of spatiality to where the significant hills in Vietnam were located.

The vegetation is highly diversified across the country reflecting the changes in climate and soils throughout the country. Evergreen and deciduous forests are the most abundant especially in the Central Highlands. Other types of vegetation include: mangroves, bamboo, teak, palms, and elephant grass, which was tall razor sharp grass, found in the highlands of Vietnam. Troops had to advance through these types of vegetation as they advanced up the hills, often slowing them down. The vegetation provided great cover as well for the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) as they could easily conceal themselves from airstrikes and encroaching infantry units.