[In pictures] The bomb shelter at Nhan Dan Newspaper headquarters during the ‘Hanoi 12 Days and Nigh

During the American bombings in Hanoi for 12 consecutive days and nights in December 1972, Nhan Dan Newspaper was published daily to reach soldiers and the people. Such newspapers were born in a special way and in a special place. That is the basement right at the headquarters of Nhan Dan Newspaper at 71 Hang Trong Street, Hoan Kiem district, in the centre of Hanoi.
Faced with the increasingly fierce battle against the US imperialists, the Editorial Board of Nhan Dan Newspaper, decided to urgently build a basement right at the Nhan Dan headquarters, so that the Party newspaper could be published under any circumstances.

Faced with the increasingly fierce battle against the US imperialists, the Editorial Board of Nhan Dan Newspaper, decided to urgently build a basement right at the Nhan Dan headquarters, so that the Party newspaper could be published under any circumstances.
In the early winter of 1970, a unit of Vietnam Army Engineers was mobilised to build a basement right under the working building of Nhan Dan Newspaper. The basement was built under a CHI-shaped design.

In the early winter of 1970, a unit of Vietnam Army Engineers was mobilised to build a basement right under the working building of Nhan Dan Newspaper. The basement was built under a CHI-shaped design.
The basement is 3m deep underground and about 1m wide. The two sides of the tunnel are poured with concrete, while the ceiling is concreted with steel mesh. The space in the middle of the basement is about 10m2 wide for editing and sketching daily newspapers. The entire surface of the tunnel is covered with soil.

The basement is 3m deep underground and about 1m wide. The two sides of the tunnel are poured with concrete, while the ceiling is concreted with steel mesh. The space in the middle of the basement is about 10m2 wide for editing and sketching daily newspapers. The entire surface of the tunnel is covered with soil.
Anyone entering the yard of the Newspaper does not expect that under the courtyard next to the ancient banyan tree there is also a small editing room.

Anyone entering the yard of the Newspaper does not expect that under the courtyard next to the ancient banyan tree there is also a small editing room.
This is the working space of Editor-in-Chief Hoang Tung. The wall behind this desk hangs a large wooden board for sketching the pages of newspapers.

This is the working space of Editor-in-Chief Hoang Tung. The wall behind this desk hangs a large wooden board for sketching the pages of newspapers.
Today, the basement has been repaired and the old ground no longer exists. The iron doors tinted with the colour of time are still kept in the position of the early days.

Today, the basement has been repaired and the old ground no longer exists. The iron doors tinted with the colour of time are still kept in the position of the early days.
During the US Air Force bombing of Hanoi with B-52s, more than ten people could work in this small basement.

During the US Air Force bombing of Hanoi with B-52s, more than ten people could work in this small basement.

During the war days, right next to the last step into the tunnel, was the place to store ten CKC rifles and self-defence steel helmets.

During the war days, right next to the last step into the tunnel, was the place to store ten CKC rifles and self-defence steel helmets.
Front reporters were almost present at this basement from early morning to late evening, on the last days of December 1972, to be ready to receive their duties.

Front reporters were almost present at this basement from early morning to late evening, on the last days of December 1972, to be ready to receive their duties.
The pages filled with war situations from the southern battlefields were born from this small basement, coming to the people and soldiers every morning.

The pages filled with war situations from the southern battlefields were born from this small basement, coming to the people and soldiers every morning.
Nhan Dan’s immortal editorials such as “Hanoi - Capital of human dignity” and “All for the liberation of the South”, truly reflected the Hanoi 12 days and nights campaign, reminding of a glorious and generous time of the country.

Nhan Dan’s immortal editorials such as “Hanoi - Capital of human dignity” and “All for the liberation of the South”, truly reflected the Hanoi 12 days and nights campaign, reminding of a glorious and generous time of the country.
NDO

THANH DAT - NGUYEN TRANG