Just one oil rig Vietnam about to have a revolution soon to be a civil war. China collapse Vietnam without firing a single bullet, good move China.
Just wait till the population turn on Vietnamese government with hundred of Vietnamese protesters die in a gun fight, China can withdraw the oil...
Why China fire the first shot? they already set up the oil Rig.
China ram Vietnam coastguard vessel and damaged them, Vietnam couldn't get close to oil rig to impeach the Rig operation.
Vietnam nationalist will probably beat up some Vietnam-Chinese because of China action, they probably will take their anger out on Vietnam-Chinese that for sure.
China won't remove the oil rig, China already made the statement of drilling for oil and dare Vietnam to push for war right now. Protest against China for what? Vietnam can't force China to back down either by diplomacy or military confrontation. China would reconsider if both nation...
You said Soviet provided free weapons to Vietnam but Soviet Union didn't pay the fee to lease the base for their naval fleet. Vietnamese were starving but still had to ship millions tons of rice and grain to Soviet to pay off the debt.
You said Russian provided free weapons to Vietnam but Vietnam did pay back the debt Vietnam owed to Russian and allowed Russian based naval fleet in Cam Ranh. Soviet provide free weapons to Vietnam my ***.