Over the past few days, the news and images of the newly inaugurated Vietnam Military History Museum in Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi, have been widely discussed and appreciated across media platforms and social networks. As one of the largest museum complexes in the country, its opening marks a significant milestone not only for the military but also for the people of Vietnam. It serves as a comprehensive depiction of Vietnam’s heroic and resilient history of building and defending the nation over thousands of years.
The museum’s appeal reflects a growing public interest in exploring, learning, and experiencing national history. At the same time, it highlights the success of creative innovations in storytelling and display methods. Covering an area of more than 38 hectares and showcasing over 150,000 artefacts, the museum presents significant challenges to its team of experts in curation and preservation. The exhibits must balance historical accuracy and political integrity with engaging and memorable visitor experiences.
At the entrance, visitors are greeted by the 45-metre-high Victory Tower, symbolising 1945, the year President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence to establish the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The tower’s design, featuring layered five-pointed stars, is unique. The plaza surrounding the tower displays large artefacts such as aeroplanes, tanks, radar trucks, cannons, and naval mines, all tied to historical figures and events from Vietnam’s resistance wars.
The museum’s architecture is simple and modern, with open spaces, greenery, and lawns. On the first floor, six main themes are explored through meticulously designed small spaces, leading visitors on a historical journey from Vietnam’s earliest days to the present.
The six themes include the early days of nation-building and defence (7th century BCE to the victory at Bach Dang in 938); the defending of national independence (939–1858), featuring the resistance against foreign invasions during Vietnam’s feudal dynasties; the resistance against French colonialism (1858–1945); the resistance against the French (1945–1954), highlighting the defeat of French colonialists’ second invasion attempt, supported by US intervention; the resistance against the US (1954–1975); and national construction and defence (post-1975 to present).
Among the museum’s tens of thousands of artefacts, four National Treasures stand out, commemorating the heroic victories of Vietnam’s military and people during the resistance against the US: MiG-21 fighter jet No. 4324, MiG-21 fighter jet No. 5121, the Map of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, and T-54B tank No. 843.
The displays are creatively and vibrantly organised. For instance, the MiG-21 No. 4324, nicknamed the “Silver Swallow”, is suspended mid-air by cables, appearing to soar above the museum’s atrium. The aircraft’s fuselage is marked with 14 red stars, symbolising its victories in shooting down 14 American aircraft during the northern bombing campaigns.
Every artefact, no matter how small or simple, comes with detailed explanations, even including primitive spears and stones used by ancient farmer-soldiers. Each exhibit tells a story that evokes pride in the sacrifices of previous generations and the enduring value of peace.
In addition to traditional exhibits, the Vietnam Military History Museum incorporates advanced technologies such as 3D dioramas, motion graphics, automatic audio guides, interactive screens, documentary films, and animated visualisations. Iconic campaigns like the Dien Bien Phu Campaign and the Ho Chi Minh Campaign are presented in visually compelling, multi-dimensional formats.
Virtual reality simulations transport visitors back to historic moments, allowing them to explore battlefields and feel Vietnam’s ancestor’s heroic spirit, wisdom, and determination. Select quotes, such as “Use great justice to overcome cruelty, use benevolence to replace tyranny” from Nguyen Trai’s Great Proclamation Upon the Pacification of the Wu (Binh Ngo Dai Cao), are strategically placed to leave a lasting impression.
The museum also plans to introduce interactive spaces and contemporary art exhibits in the near future. Digitalisation projects, including online photo exhibitions and virtual tours, are underway to provide remote access to those unable to visit Hanoi.
The revamped Vietnam Military History Museum represents a bold transformation, aiming to become a leading cultural and educational destination for all Vietnamese and international visitors interested in Vietnam’s history, particularly military history. The first phase of the project has been completed, and the museum is open to visitors free of charge until the end of December 2024.
