US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak on Sept. 17 handed over three paintings to army painter Le Duc Tuan, which he lost in a battle in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum in 1968.

The paintings are parts of a series of 112 sketches Tuan drew when he was in the army.

Michalak spoke highly of the exchange of war objects, saying that it is a vivid manifestation of reconciliation between the two nations. He said he hoped that the two governments would step up activities to promote the friendship between US and Vietnamese war veterans and people on the basis of mutual respect and development.

Tuan expressed his thanks to the US ambassador and former US soldier Robert B. Simpson who prevented the burning of and then preserved the sketches.

The painter presented the three paintings to the organisers of a campaign designed to collect and introduce objects and belongings related to the war.

At the ceremony, the Thanh Nien Publishing House introduced the “Painting diary returned from the other side” comprising 109 paintings Tuan got back from American war veterans in 2009.

The diary described the real, lively and romantic lives of soldiers during the resistance war against US aggressors. It also includes articles written by US reporters and specialists about the paintings as well as their journey since they were lost and then returned./.