Overview
Đắk Tô Airfield is the second confirmed launch map for Hell Let Loose: Vietnam — revealed when Expression Games deployed their War Correspondents onto it ahead of the open beta, showcasing every role in the game across its terrain. Where Thanh Hóa Bridge is built around a river crossing, Đắk Tô Airfield brings the fight to the Central Highlands: elevated ridgelines, dense jungle, and a contested airstrip that both sides will fight hard to control.
Historical Context
The real Đắk Tô area in Kon Tum Province, Central Highlands was one of the most bitterly contested zones of the entire Vietnam War. The Battle of Dak To in November 1967 — part of Operation MacArthur — saw the 4th Infantry Division and the 173rd Airborne Brigade fight NVA forces across the surrounding hills and ridgelines in some of the most intense combat of the conflict.
The Đắk Tô 2 Airfield (also known as Phoenix Airfield) was the US logistical anchor for operations in the area — a key asset that both sides understood the value of. Whoever controls the airfield controls resupply, reinforcement, and the tempo of operations in the Central Highlands.
This is the historical weight the map carries. Expect HLLVN’s version to lean into the same dynamic: the airfield as a contested objective that defines which side has the initiative.
Tactical Analysis
The Central Highlands terrain changes the engagement distances fundamentally compared to Thanh Hóa Bridge. Expect:
- Ridgeline dominance — elevation matters more here than on the river map. Units that hold the high ground control sightlines across the entire map
- Jungle ambush corridors — dense vegetation forces infantry to move carefully and makes flanking routes viable for NVA tunnel exits
- Airfield as anchor objective — the airstrip creates open, exposed ground that one side has to cross to advance. Defenders will cover it; attackers have to find ways around or through
- Helicopter vertical insertion — the Central Highlands’ elevation variation makes helicopter drops especially powerful, bypassing ridge defences entirely
- Armour in the highlands — both the M48 Patton (US) and T-54 (NVA) will operate here; the terrain will constrain routes significantly compared to open maps
Confirmed Features
- Jungle terrain in the Central Highlands style — denser and more elevated than coastal Vietnam
- Airfield as a central map feature and likely key strongpoint
- Confirmed for multiple roles including Sniper, Squad Leader, Grenadier, Anti-Aircraft, and Armour — all demonstrated in the War Correspondents gameplay showcase
- Both Warfare and Offensive game modes expected (consistent with Thanh Hóa Bridge)
- Dynamic lighting and weather variants (confirmed for all six launch maps)
Vehicle Routes
Unlike Thanh Hóa Bridge’s river-dominated mobility, Đắk Tô Airfield’s vehicle routes will be constrained by the highland terrain. The airstrip itself is likely the primary open vehicle corridor — expect both M48 Pattons and T-54s to contest control of the flat ground around it, while helicopters use the elevation changes to their advantage.
NVA tunnel networks become especially powerful in highland terrain — exits placed on the reverse slopes of ridges can put NVA forces behind US defensive lines without warning.
Roles That Shine Here
Sniper / Spotter — elevated ridgeline overwatch is the dominant recon position on this map. A well-positioned Recon pair can cover the entire airfield approach.
Machine Gunner — a bipod-deployed MG on a ridgeline above the airstrip is one of the most powerful defensive positions in the game.
Pilot — the elevation variation in the Central Highlands creates both natural cover for helicopter approaches and clear insertion points for drops onto contested ridges.
Anti-Aircraft (NVA) — with helicopters likely to be heavily used for ridge insertions, NVA AA is especially critical here.
Engineer — tank trap and wire placement in the jungle approaches to the airfield can channel armour and infantry into prepared kill zones.
Strongpoints
Specific strongpoint layouts will be documented after the game launches on June 18, 2026.
Interactive Map
Interactive tactical map coming after launch. We will publish overhead imagery and key position markers once community data from live matches is available.
Related
- Thanh Hóa Bridge — the open beta map, river-crossing focus
- Helicopter Operations — critical mobility tool in highland terrain
- Tunnel Warfare — NVA asymmetric advantage on ridge approaches
- M48 Patton — US armour operating in the highlands
- T-54 — NVA armour operating in the highlands