Original Items: Only One Set Available. These sandals belonged to a member of the Viet Cong and were brought back to the United States by an American veteran as a trophy of war.

Ho Chi Minh sandals are iconic for having been worn by the Vietcong during the Vietnam war. During the war they were considered by many more practical than army boots, because being open they allowed the foot to dry and thus prevented the onset of ‘jungle rot’. But what makes Ho Chi Minh sandals really special was the simplicity and effectiveness of their design.

This pair of 'Ho Chi Minh' sandals is made from recycled rubber. The soles of the sandals are made from discarded car tires and the top straps are made from inner tubes.

Rubber automobile tire sandals were used extensively by Viet Cong forces during the Vietnam War. They were inexpensive to make and proved a practical alternative to boots in the humid climate of Vietnam.

The construction and fit of these Vietnamese sandals is fascinating:
First, none of the straps are glued or nailed, they stay fixed in the sole only because of the tight fit and the rubber grip. This means that with a little effort the length of each strap can also be adjusted to fit the individual users foot width.

Second, the elastic ‘crossed’ ankle straps provide a surprisingly secure fit around the ankle. The secure fit and added support of the ‘crossed’ straps is ideal for running and moving quickly.

This set was acquired from a U.S. Vietnam War Veteran and is offered in very good condition, with some original period dirt still on them! They look to be fully functional, and both measure about 11 1/2 inches in length.

The Việt Cộng also known as the National Liberation Front, was a mass political organization in South Vietnam and Cambodia with its own army – the People's Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam (PLAF) – that fought against the United States and South Vietnamese governments during the Vietnam War, eventually emerging on the winning side. It had both guerrilla and regular army units, as well as a network of cadres who organized peasants in the territory it controlled. Many soldiers were recruited in South Vietnam, but others were attached to the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), the regular North Vietnamese army.