This document is one of several readiness reports of communications by the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, in which the DRV attacked US Naval vessels on Aug. 2nd, 1964.

The message was about orders received from DRV headquarters that were to execute “imminent actions” to be carried out at 1600 hours on Aug. 5, 1964, which was the day of the supposed second attack. This communication would have gave support of a second attack, but in my opinion is vague as to what action was taken or if it was even action to be taken against someone. This vagueness seems to be common in these readiness reports

The Gulf of Tonkin Incident prompted the US Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gave President Johnson authority to use military force to defend allies in the area and ultimately lead to the beginning of the Vietnam War.