Huey over the canopy — official Hell Let Loose: Vietnam screenshotHell Let Loose: Vietnam Factions
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam launches with two asymmetric factions: the US Army and the North Vietnamese Army (NVA). Unlike WWII HLL, the two sides play very differently — this asymmetry is the game's core design.
US Army (The Air-Mobile Force)
- Helicopters — transport, door-gun firepower, recon and (after the beta buff) mobile spawn points placed by officers.
- Firepower — M16s, M60s, M72 LAWs and air support; the US wins at range and from the sky.
- River boats — PBR patrol boats give fast water mobility.
- Strengths: mobility, fire support, armor.
- Weaknesses: vulnerable to ambushes, RPG fire, and the tunnel network's unpredictability.
NVA / Viet Cong (The Tunnel Army)
- Tunnels — a subterranean network for stealth movement, ambushes and rapid repositioning. In the open beta this was overpowered; the launch build rebalances it (tunnels destroyed in enemy territory, 5-minute cooldown, longer travel) while keeping the tactical identity.
- Weapons — AK-47s, RPG-7s, machine guns; lethal at close range and deadly to helicopters.
- Ambush tactics — hit-and-run, booby traps, area denial.
- Strengths: stealth, infiltration, anti-armor.
- Weaknesses: no air power, weaker long-range firepower.
The Asymmetric Matchup
| Dimension | US Army | NVA |
|---|---|---|
| Mobility | Air (helicopters) | Underground (tunnels) |
| Firepower | Superior at range | Deadly up close |
| Anti-armor | LAW rockets | RPG-7 (helicopter counter) |
| Vulnerability | Ambushes, RPGs | Air recon, mortar fire |
Faction Tips
- As US, never land helicopters on known RPG positions — scout the LZ from altitude first.
- As NVA, your tunnel network is a force multiplier: use it to collapse on enemy flanks instead of frontal pushes.
- Both sides: the 50v50 fight is decided by spawn logistics — garrisons, tunnels and helicopter spawns.
Factions FAQ
Are there more than two factions at launch?
No — launch has the US Army vs NVA. Future DLC may add more factions, but nothing is confirmed.
Can both factions use helicopters?
No. Helicopters are US Army only; the NVA counters with RPGs and tunnels.
Is the game balanced for 50v50?
The open beta proved the core matchup works; the launch patch specifically rebalanced tunnels and helicopters based on beta feedback.