Technology reviving memory
The collection features portraits of the first Presidents of the Viet Nam Women’s Union and over 20 photographs of fallen female heroes. Each image tells the story of women who lived through war with courage, patriotism, and a burning desire to dedicate their youth to the nation.
Tran Hong Dung, Vice Chairwoman of the “Mai mai tuoi 20” (Forever Twenty) Club, shared that during the resistance wars, millions of Vietnamese women stood up to fight; many of them fell when they were still very young. Their spirit is immortalised in the golden words: “Heroic, indomitable, loyal, and courageous” presented by President Ho Chi Minh to Vietnamese women 60 years ago (1965–2025). To honour those who devoted and sacrificed their lives for the Fatherland, young artists from the “Soldiers’ Hearts” organisation have colourised black-and-white portraits, offering a new perspective on the eternal beauty of Vietnamese women.
Each portrait tells a story of women who went through resistance wars with courage, patriotism, and the desire to dedicate their youth.
In the exhibition, the image of Vo Thi Sau, a young woman from Dat Do, appears with clear eyes and a calm face. She fought valiantly and sacrificed her life at a very young age, becoming an immortal symbol of patriotism.
Her original black-and-white prison photograph was restored by the artists, depicting her in a simple “bà ba” (Southern Vietnamese blouse) and checkered black and white scarf. “When completed, her face radiated purity and resilience — both gentle and resolute,” said writer Dang Vuong Hung, tChairman of the “Soldiers’ Hearts” organisation.
Before the portrait of doctor and martyr Dang Thuy Tram, many young visitors stood in silence. Nguyen Minh Anh, a student from Ly Thuong Kiet High School (Ha Noi), shared: “I have read Dang Thuy Tram’s Diary many times. It is not only the writing of a field doctor but also a heroic anthem of compassion and the aspiration for a meaningful life of wartime youth.”
The portrait of martyr Le Thi Hong Gam from Tien Giang radiates both grace and bravery. At 16, she participated in the revolution. At 18, she became deputy commander of the local militia, leading villagers to defend their land. At 19, she was captured but managed to shoot down an enemy helicopter before falling. Her courage became a source of pride for generations, immortalised in musician Pham Tuyen’s song “Nhung canh chim Hong Gam” (The wings of Hong Gam).
The portraits of female heroes Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Hoang Ngan, Le Thi Rieng and Mac Thi Buoi evoke the tragic but heroic memories of underground struggles and imprisonment, inspiring today’s generations with their bravery and patriotism.
“The exhibition serves as a forum to honour, share and spread stories of women’s strength, intelligence, and leadership across generations,” said Nguyen Thi Tuyet, Director of the Viet Nam Women’s Museum.
Continue writing pride
In South Sudan, Lieutenant Bui Hai Thuan, a nurse at Military Hospital 120, is serving in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. Together with her comrades, she endures harsh conditions, caring for hundreds of patients and spreading the image of the kind-hearted and resilient Vietnamese woman. In 2024, she volunteered to join Viet Nam’s Peacekeeping Force in Africa.
In the laboratory, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hiep — a lecturer at the International University under the Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, and one of Asia’s 100 outstanding female scientists — tirelessly researches biomaterials, contributing to bringing Viet Nam’s regenerative medicine to the world. She received the world's talented young scientist award presented by the L'Oréal - UNESCO Foundation.
In the business world, Mai Kieu Lien, CEO of Vinamilk, was listed by Fortune magazine (the US) among the 100 Most Powerful Women in Asia 2025.
In academia, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan, Director of the Viet Nam National University of Agriculture, has received the Kovalevskaia Award and has been honoured as “The scientist of farmers.”
In technology, Vo Ngoc Minh Anh, a Data Science student at the University of Science (Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City), pursues artificial intelligence (AI) research with a passion for applying science to serve people. In 2025, she was among 20 outstanding female students receiving the “Viet Nam Female Students in Science and Technology Award” presented by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee.
Whether scientists, entrepreneurs, doctors, or peacekeepers, they all share one common thing of living beautifully, dedicating themselves wholeheartedly, and inspiring others.
In recent years, the Viet Nam Women’s Museum has fostered the digitalisation of heritage, archiving tens of thousands of images, artefacts, and stories about Vietnamese women on modern technology platforms. Virtual 360-degree tours, AI-restored photo exhibitions and 3D storytelling audio bring the past to life. Through digitalisation, heritage is not only preserved but also shared widely.
The museum has also collaborated with UNESCO, UN Women and Google Arts & Culture to bring images of Vietnamese women to the world. Portraits of General Nguyen Thi Dinh, Heroic Vietnamese Mother Nguyen Thi Thu, and diplomat Nguyen Thi Binh have become symbols of patriotism, resilience, and the aspiration for peace.
From the “forever twenty” portraits in the museum to the faces of women in the digital era, there is an invisible thread connecting generations. That is the love for the country and the will and strength to rise. In resistance wars, they wrote heroic epics with blood and tears; today, on new front, they continue to write the proud story of Vietnamese women through knowledge, creativity, and compassion.
