Vietnam's asymmetric tactics targeting China aims to prevent Beijing deploying its warships in case low-intensity conflicts break out. It means that warships of the Vietnam People's Navy (VPN) are deployed to protect paramilitary ships operating around Vietnam's islands. "Asymmetric" weapon systems render Chinese navy's activities within the distance of 200–300 nautical miles from the coastline of Vietnam. The most important task of an asymmetrical doctrine is to deny enemy's forces to take control of the waters around strategic choke points in the South China Sea or important sea lines of communication (SLOCs). However, a key question regarding the VPN is how an asymmetric strategy, which essentially relies on cost imposition, prevents an enemy from controlling SLOCs or distant chokepoints which many could not be in the VPN's area of responsibility (AOR). This question is hard to concretely answer at the moment, because we do not have enough information on the detailed tactical and strategic planning of the VPN regarding the issue. However, given the current modernization trajectory, at least the VPN is trying its best in order to have a comprehensive response and sound anti-access/area denial capabilities within its current AOR (which possibly extends beyond the waters of the Spratlys and Paracels but still within the boundary of the South China Sea). It is definitely the VPN's mission to deal with the conventional aspects of war, but the service at the moment still does not have enough capabilities to cover the vast territorial waters under its protection. The Navy simply has too few ships, aircraft and armaments for a vast AOR. The Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) therefore would represent the go-to guarantor of security of the less important strategic points to relieve the Navy of such tasks. Basically, the VPN would provide a backstop should serious conflict erupt. But VCG commanders will need the capabilities and hold their own against rival forces until reinforcements arrive. The ultimate outcome if a naval conflict breaks out is not to "win" in its literal meaning but rather to inflict as much damage as possible to the enemy in order for the political and diplomatic channels to maximize their voices in international arena against the "aggressor." It is in this context that the role of Vietnam's armed forces and other forces relating to maritime security is just parts of a bigger and more comprehensive grand strategy to protect the country's "sacred" sovereignty.