Better watch japanese "Flag"(2006). It's better and has more to tell not just about war and journalism but about humans. There are two versions. Series is better than movie but it doesnt matter too much.
Civil War is just disappointing and blank.
East Germany - North Vietnam co-production.
English title: Lives of the jungle
Set around 1950, during First Indochina War. Armin, German deserter from French Foreign Legion and communist spy, not willing to come back to Germany decides to help in Vietnamese struggle against French.
Narrative and montage could be better but movie has pretty nice cinematography of rural Vietnam and depiction of folk games and rituals.