New Space, New Experiences
On November 1, the Vietnam Military History Museum opened its doors to the public. Located along Thang Long Boulevard in Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi, the impressive museum stands on a 74-hectare site, with about 38.66 hectares designated for use. It is designed in a modern style with four above-ground floors and one basement level.
The museum features both outdoor and indoor exhibit areas. The indoor exhibition space on the first floor is divided into six main themes, covering the nation's history from its early days of the country’s establishment and safeguarding to the process of national construction and defence from 1976 to the present. The museum utilises modern display techniques, offering visitors a unique and dynamic experience. According to the museum's information, 3D mapping technology vividly recreates past battles. Interactive screens and media materials allow viewers easy and effective access to knowledge. Visitors are free to explore and experience an interactive space connecting the history with the present through the automatic audio guide system and QR codes for each artifact. Additionally, there are more than 60 video clips showcasing various campaigns and battles, as well as featuring the lives and fighting spirit of Vietnamese soldiers.
Priceless artifacts
Among the more than 150,000 artifacts preserved and displayed at the museum, four of which have beenrecognised as national treasures. In the entrance hall stands the MiG-21 fighter jet numbered 4324, adorned with 14 stars on its nose, symbolising its 14 successful engagements in shooting down American aircrafts. In the exhibit area dedicated to the resistance against the US, there is the MiG-21 fighter jet numbered 5121, piloted by Hero of the People's Armed Forces Pham Tuan, who shot down a US B-52 bomber on the night of December 27, 1972. The T-54B tank numbered 843, which famously crashed through the gates of the Independence Palace on April 30, 1975, also attracts numerous visitors. Lastly, there is a map on the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, which marked the complete liberation of southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country.
Sharing his feelings upon viewing these precious artifacts, Phuong (74 years old, a former officer of the 320th Division, 1st Corps) expressed: “Bringing these artifacts back from the battlefield and preserving and safeguarding them are no easy feat. I am grateful that our government has granted great investment, resulting in a museum of this impressive scale and beauty, allowing people to come and admire objects linked to the most significant milestones in our nation’s history.”
Throughout the museum, the artifacts are carefully arranged and decorated, conveying messages that lovers of national history will surely understand. For example, in the outdoor area in front of the building stands the 45-metre Victory Tower with multiple layers forming a five-pointed star, symbolising the year 1945 — when President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Truong (46 years old, from Nam Tu Liem, Hanoi) shared: “I am deeply impressed with the Victory Tower. Its layered structure represents the many generations of Vietnamese who have built, defended, and developed the country into the strong nation it is today.” In the grand hall, part of an aircraft shot down by the Vietnamese forces over Hanoi years ago is displayed with doves soaring above it, symbolising the Vietnamese people's love for peace.
The eyes of the veterans, who fought in those battles, sparkle like bright stars as they view these historical items. “During the resistance against the US, I drove trucks towing artillery. Seeing the Soviet-made ZIL-157 truck that supported us brings back vivid memories of those heroic days,” said Nguyen Van Long (69 years old, a former soldier of the 78th Artillery Regiment, the 324th Division, who participated in the Spring Campaign of 1975). Witnessing the weapons and equipment used by the Vietnamese army and people, along with artifacts captured from the enemy, Dao Thi Luc (64 years old, from Vinh Phuc) was filled with pride, saying: “I already knew our weaponry was rudimentary and not comparable to the forces of powerful nations like France and the US, but seeing these artifacts and hearing the stories behind each one makes me even more grateful for the previous generations.”
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A symbolic address for revolutionary education
Everyone who visits the museum is filled with deep emotions. Many groups of veterans from distant areas come here to relive a part of history. As they view the displayed artifacts, they eagerly share stories about the scars etched into their skin by shrapnel and bombs —marks of a wartime period they proudly hold as reminders of a unique historical chapter. Visiting this museum, a place that preserves artifacts connected to the nation’s journey to maturity, Pham Van Dung (85 years old, a former armoured corps soldier from Nam Dinh) shared with eyes full of emotion that seeing reflections of himself in those years of combat and remembering the sacrifices of our people, he felt very moved as tears began to well up. Today, having survived the storms of war, “we can proudly declare to the world that Vietnam has defeated every invading force and is developing day by day,” said Nguyen Thanh Xuan (92 years old, Hanoi).
Unlike the older generations, students visit the museum with an enthusiasm and a desire to learn. The group of students from Dai Hung Primary School (in Gia Lam District, Hanoi) were excited to visit for the first time. Their cheers of “We love Vietnam, we love our beloved Uncle Ho!” added an emotional atmosphere to the visit. Le Duc Anh (born in 2006, a student from the Hanoi University of Science and Technology) expressed his admiration for generations who set aside their dreams of education to join the resistance. “Standing here, I recall the verse that many students at our university often quote: ‘Leaving with a heavy pledge / Not returning until the US is defeated’. Now, with peace restored and the development of the country, I feel responsible to study hard and become someone useful to society, honouring our forefathers’ sacrifices.”
Each step through the exhibit halls serves as a reminder of sacrifice and dedication, and a message to future generations about the patriotism and resilience of the entire nation. Dung (70 years old, a veteran of the 305th Division) offered encouraging words: “Let’s come here to witness this history to understand and cherish the glorious era of our nation. Achieving what we have today was not easy, so I hope young people will appreciate our forefathers’ contributions and continue to build and strengthen a powerful Vietnam.” These words are not just the heartfelt wishes of a veteran, but also a responsibility carried by a generation — a source of motivation for future generations to carry forward the tradition, look to the future, and extend the enduring Vietnamese spirit into the world.
For Tran Nguyen Song (67 years old, a veteran of the resistance war against the US and a Vietnamese volunteer soldier who served in Cambodia), each helicopter and cannon preserved in the museum stirs special memories. When he saw the cluster bombs, he could not hold back his emotions: “Oh, cluster bombs used to blow my yard to pieces!” Reflecting on a memorable incident while viewing the artifacts, he shared: “Once, my squad nearly died when a shell almost hit us; luckily, there was a tree trunk right in front of us that saved our lives.”
