How would it compare to Vietnam? Vietnam was a conflict where the US military was fighting a guerrilla force, the Viet Cong, and dealing with a formalized fighting force, the NVA, that fought like a guerrilla force. The conflict would be much different with different tactics and strategies being utilized from the door to door fighting that is going on now.

I believe it the Chinese wanted to invade Taiwan there would be a large build up of forces near the strait so after the initial attack a occupation force could be moved in quickly. The US would see this build up and I believe should use a show of force not a intervention. If the US sent 2 or 3 carrier battle groups in to the region showing us flexing out military muscle the Chinese would back down. They could play our bluff and attack anyway but that would be a gamble if we really meant to strike back.