Exhibition recalls memories of historic struggle to defend Hanoi 50 years ago
An exhibition titled “The silence” opened at Hoa Lo Prison relic site in Hanoi on December 9 to help the public gain an insight into the 12-day-and-night fierce struggle against US airstrikes to defend the capital city in late 1972.
Visitors to the exhibition that opened at the Hoa Lo Prison relic site on December 9. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – An exhibition titled “The silence” opened at Hoa LoPrison relic site in Hanoi on December 9 to help the public gain an insightinto the 12-day-and-night fierce struggle against US airstrikes to defend thecapital city in late 1972.
Thedisplay is held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the “DienBien Phu in the air” victory (December 1972 - 2022) and 50 years since therelease of American pilots imprisoned in the North (1973 - 2023).
Visitorswill have a chance to learn about the “silence” after US carpet bombings andfierce battles, as well as the losses and sacrifice suffered by each soldierand civilian during the 12 days and nights resisting the airstrikes.
Theycan also feel the “silence” behind stone walls of “Hanoi Hilton”, asatirical name that the imprisoned American pilots gave to the Hoa Lo Prison then,where they looked back on the war, the life, and the Vietnamese people.
Theexhibition also reflects the “silence” 50 years later, when war veterans of theUS returned to visit the former battlefield and “Hanoi Hilton”.
At the opening ceremony, visitors watched a reenactment of the promptpreparation for evacuation by people in the North and their concurrentproduction and fighting amid wartime. They also met with witnesses to history,former political prisoners who used to be incarcerated by colonialists andimperialists, former warders who cared for US pilots at the Hoa Lo Prison, and VicePresident of the Veterans for Peace (VFP) Chuck Searcy.
During the historic 12 day-and-night battle in December 1972,the Vietnamese army and people defeated US airstrikes in the North, shooting down81 aircraft of all kinds, including 34 B-52s, forcing the US to sign the Paris Agreement onending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam in January 1973.
This triumph is alsocalled the “Dien Bien Phu in the air” victory, which took the name from thevictory of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign in 1954 that put an end to the French colonialrule over Indochina./.
An exhibition reminiscent of the victory over the aerial bombing conducted by US forces against the north of Vietnam in December 50 years ago opened in the capital city on December 5.
The Vietnam Club at the Moscow State Linguistic University (MGLU) held an event on December 6 to mark the 50th anniversary of the “Dien Bien Phu in the air” victory.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
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Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
Visitors to the exhibition that opened at the Hoa Lo Prison relic site on December 9. (Photo: VNA) 
