Order of Liberation

The Order of Liberation is an order of chivalry awarded during the Vietnam War by the leadership of the National Liberation Front, the NLF, also known as the Viet Cong, the guerrilla movement supported by North Vietnam. It was awarded to individuals, units, and collectives who had rendered outstanding service through their excellent performance in combat, production, administration, and support for families dispersed by the war.

The order was instituted on 9 August 1965 and took the form of a five-pointed star 37 millimeters high, with seven rays between each of its five points. The central medallion depicts a socialist-style emblem strongly resembling that of North Vietnam, but bearing an NLF flag instead of a star. The inscription reads “GIAI PHONG” (Vietnamese: Liberation). The reverse is plain. The insignia is worn on the left breast on a red ribbon with broad light-blue edges. Two small gold stars are attached to the ribbon.

Later examples of the order are larger and have a diameter of 40 millimeters.

After the fall of South Vietnam, the Order of Liberation was replaced by the Order of Liberation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.