A large book titled “Legend of Quang Tri Old Citadel”, honouring fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives for national liberation and freedom, made its debut on July 5.

The book, measuring 1 metre in length and 0.7 metre in width, was compiled and published by the Communications Centre for Environment Development, in partnership with other agencies such as the People’s Army Publishing House and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

The book is the seventh in a collection themed, “Vietnamese legends”, a cultural project honouring the tradition of “When drinking water, remember its source”, with earlier publications featuring the legends of Dien Bien, Con Dao, Truong Son, young volunteers, U Minh and Phu Quoc.

Through the book, readers have a chance to recall the glorious history of Quang Tri old citadel in the central province of the same name, which was the site of one of the fiercest battles of the American War. The highlight of the legend was the 81-day campaign in 1972, during which over 4,000 Vietnamese soldiers sacrificed their lives to protect the citadel.

Popular destinations of Quang Tri province, historical landmarks and resilient local people during the war are also featured in the book.

The book, which took two years to complete, enters the Vietnam Guinness records in listing Vietnamese fallen soldiers. A print run of 10,000 copies will provide gifts for families of fallen soldiers, while the giant book will be preserved in Quang Tri Old Citadel Museum .

A procession is scheduled for July 8 to bring the large book from Hanoi to Quang Tri province./.