Socialist Republic of Vietnam’s Para-Military Parachute Clubs

Established in 2005 with the support of the Vietnam People’s Air Force, the Southern and Northern Aviation Clubs role are to strengthen the country’s air defence capabilities by providing parachute and aviation training to selected individuals. The clubs focus on promoting aviation knowledge, national defence awareness, plus the traditions of the Vietnam People’s Army and are a key component of Vietnam’s national defence education system.

History and Establishment

The proposal to establish the Aviation and Maritime Clubs was introduced in January 2005 by the Minister of National Defence as part of a broader initiative to spread national defence knowledge and aviation skills, particularly among younger generations. The Prime Minister officially approved the proposal on March 29, 2005, creating the Northern Aviation Club (CLB Hàng không phía Bắc) serving the northern regions and the Southern Aviation Club (CLB Hàng không phía Nam) focused on the southern areas. These clubs were tasked with educating the public about aviation techniques, the Air Defence-Air Force, and the Vietnam People’s Army’s role in safeguarding national sovereignty.

Key Activities

Both clubs offer a mix of theoretical and practical activities related to aviation and national defence. Their training programs include hands-on experiences with radio-controlled model aircraft, parachuting, gliders, and light training aircraft. A central activity for both clubs is parachute training, which includes static-line and free-fall jumps. These programs teach participants technical parachuting skills while emphasizing discipline and teamwork. The clubs also host competitions, award certificates for course completion, and organize events around national holidays like National Defence Day and International Labour Day to promote Vietnam’s military traditions.

In addition to regular training, the clubs organize regional and national parachute competitions, with individual and team events focused on accuracy and formation/relative work. These competitions help showcase participants’ skills at various levels. The clubs also collaborate closely with the Vietnam People’s Air Force and special operations forces to align their activities with national defence objectives. They participate in defence education programs and provide resources to schools, universities, and civilian organizations nationwide.

July 2025. Parachute training exercise at Tuy Hoa airfield in Phu Yen Ward, now part of the newly expanded Dak Lak Province, Vietnam.

The exercise included members of both the Northern and Southern Aviation Clubs, Air Force Officers School, Naval Brigade 954, Naval Special Operations Unit 126, and the Special Forces Command’s anti-terrorism unit. Photo: Tuoi Tre — July 2025. Parachute training exercise at Tuy Hoa airfield in Phu Yen Ward, now part of the newly expanded Dak Lak Province, Vietnam. The exercise included members of both the Northern and Southern Aviation Clubs, Air Force Officers School, Naval Brigade 954, Naval Special Operations Unit 126, and the Special Forces Command’s anti-terrorism unit. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Southern Aviation Club (CLB Hàng không phía Nam)

Organizational Structure, Membership and Training

Under the oversight of the Ministry of National Defence, the clubs were initially funded for construction and equipment. However, operating expenses are partially covered through revenue-generating activities, and the clubs are encouraged to seek sponsorships from civil aviation, tourism, and sports sectors. Whilst the clubs are nominally civilian ‘public service’ organisations, their members come from diverse backgrounds, including military personnel and selected civilians interested in aviation and defence.

Civilians, both men and women, selected for membership of the clubs must complete approximately four months of weekend training sessions run by Air Force instructors who cover topics including the history and development of the Vietnam People’s Army Air Defence – Air Force branch, roles and tasks aeronautical theory in addition to parachute training. Students are taught to pack and jump using Soviet era D-6 parachutes, mostly from Air Force Mil Mi-8 and Mil-Mi 17 helicopters as well as the Anatov An-2TD aircraft. Upon completion they are awarded a membership ID card and a distinctive parachute award. For the Southern Aviation Club this takes the form of a set of wings in the style of the military parachutist wings, whilst the Northern Aviation Club presents a small lapel badge.

*Southern Aviation Club parachutist wings. Top left 2018 pattern, bottom left 2020 pattern. Right wing and presentation ceremony for the Southern Aviation Club 2022.*

Northern Aviation Club (CLB Hàng không phía Bắc) ‘wings’ and certificate ceremony. Unlike the Southern Aviation Club which awards a variation of the QDNDVN (Quân đội Nhân dân Việt Nam) Vietnamese People’s Army parachutist wing, the Northern Aviation Club presents its graduates with a small collar / lapel badge as a qualification insignia.

*Northern Aviation Club K17 course (August 2023) graduates with their certificate/ID cards and parachutist badge, worn on the left collar.*

Northern Aviation Club (CLB Hàng không phía Bắc) Membership card and Vietnam Air Force (Không quân nhân dân Việt Nam (KQNDVN)) patch, name tags and flag patch of Vu Quyn Huong who completed the K17 intake qualification course in August 2023

Legacy and Impact

Over the years, the Southern and Northern Aviation Clubs have played a significant role in enhancing Vietnam’s aerial defence capabilities. Through their aviation and parachute training programs, the clubs have served as training grounds for future military paratroopers and they participate in combined exercises with the Air Defence-Air Force Service and Special Operations Forces. Their efforts are viewed as important in fostering national defence awareness, improving the country’s defence readiness and preparing candidates for specialist military service.