(I know this rant doesn't really apply to anyone here, mostly self-described history nerds on, like, reddit, but still.)
I mean, it's not like the US moved into a Vietnam totally devoid of any, like, veteran troops, military materiel, fortifications, or an effective command structure- all of which NVA and Viet Cong forces would demonstrate in spades during the Second Indochina War- sorry, the Vietnam War.
And that leads to another point- are any of these people who browse and post on are slash historymemes aware of the over seven year long war the French fought and lost, or even the resistance the Viet Minh displayed against the Japanese during World War II? Bet not. Even more, the fact that Vietnam, only three years after reunification, invaded and stomped out the Khmer Rouge, another CIA puppet?
Anyway, back on track- the NVA was, in all the ways that matter, a highly effective and adaptable that beat back both France and the US, no mean feat, so the fact that all their victories are popularly attributed to "muh human wave guerrillas" instead of their successful use of operational and strategic planning, to say nothing of their frankly astoundingly effectiveness of applying logistics ( Ho Chi Minh Trail, anyone? ) just kinda torques me, is all. Frankly, I think Vo Nguyen Giap, at least, should be considered a prime case study of a general who knew the value and power of logistics, and at the very least ought to be acknowledged as one of the great generals of history, certainly greater than the Americans' and French's' leadership.
rest of your take was very right , btw... Its just that in mainland Europe , espacially Russia is seen way less "Arrogant" then in the Anglosphere , way less threating ,... (see german Defense Budget, ESC, Hungary , Slowenia , greece ..etc..) in America it is seen often as some sort of "Mordor" with millions of bloodthirtsty slavs ready to invade europe on a moments notice... but .. but.. Russia has like always been there ,....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI0nIWTX3GE