Binh Phuoc (VNA) – An exhibition onthe legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail, also known as the Truong Son Trail, opened inthe southern province of Binh Phuoc on May 16.

On display are more than 150 documents, mapsand images, which were formed throughout the operation of the logistics routefrom the North to the South during the anti-American war. They are archives ofthe National Archives of Vietnam II, Vietnam News Agency and families ofofficers, soldiers, and witnesses involved in activities along the trail.

Nearly 100 artifacts once used on the routelike bikes and ration stamps are also on show.     

As part of activities to mark the 129th birth anniversary of the late President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890) and 60thanniversary of the founding of the trail (May 19, 1959), the exhibition wascurated to demonstrate the trail’s formation and role, Binh Phuoc as its endingpoint, and the trail amid current integration and development.

On May 19, 1959, the Politburo and PresidentHo Chi Minh opened a strategic logistics route to assist the southernbattlefield. A special military unit, later named Group 559, was established tobuild the route, which ran along the Truong Son mountain range through 20provinces of the three Indochinese countries. 

The Ho Chi Minh Trail was the main arteryfrom northern Vietnam to battlefields in southern Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.It has a total length of nearly 20,000km, plus a “secret” route 3,140km longand 1,400km of petrol pipeline.

The route played a decisive role in thevictory over the US and for national liberation.

At present, the route still serves as animportant road in the national construction and development cause in all aspectsof culture, economy, society, security and defence.

Recently, the ending point of the war timetrail – at Km No. 1200 in Chon Thanh town, Chon Thanh district of Binh Phuoc – wasrecognised as a special national relic.-VNA