This is a North Vietnamese Army/Viet Cong pith helmet from the Vietnam war era. This helmet is from the 1970's era and may have been in use prior to the US withdrawal in 1973. While the helmet, complete with National Liberation Front metal helmet badge, chinstrap and liner are authentic, the art on the side of the helmet appears to have been done after the war. The chinstrap is worn, but intact. The liner shows some wear from actual use. A makers label in the top of the helmet is partially obscured by the vent, but is very legible. The right side of the helmet has a Viet Cong flag pictured with a male fighter in uniform holding an AK47 and a female fighter in black pajama's and scarf carrying an RPG. The left side of the helmet has the city of PHU BAI and the year 1967 painted in red letters. Phu Bai was a US combat base in use from 1963 until the withdrawal in 1973. The 3rd Marine Division's headquarters was here from 1965 until 1967. I suspect this helmet made it's made to the US after the Vietnam war was over, possibly brought home by a visiting veteran of that costly war as a reminder of his tour there in a different time. The helmet has great eye appeal and displays like a million dollars! If you collect memorabilia from the Vietnam era, this will add a splash of color to your collection!

Item # AA1980

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