"Even if true, that article describes a more Russian-Afganistan situration then a US-Vietnam situation."
Both of those situations (and Iraq now) were more alike than different IMO of course; Ambiguous, contrived and/or inflated reasons for involvement, outside influences and agitation cause MAJOR difficulties for the embroiled super-power, propping up of a puppet government, lack of popular support at home AND abroad.... etc, etc.