Celebrating 60th anniversary of the Navy's first victory

Sixty years ago, on August 2 and 5, 1964, the Vietnam People's Navy, after nine years of peacetime development, courageously and resolutely fought off the American destroyer USS Maddox from Vietnamese waters. This victory marked the first major triumph of the North Vietnamese military and people in resisting US aerial and naval attacks.

On August 2, 1964, the command team monitors the attack on the USS Maddox. Photo: Provided by the Vietnamese People's Navy

The wreckage of an American aircraft shot down by Vietnamese forces in Quang Binh on August 5, 1964. Photo: Provided by the Vietnamese People's Navy

The Quang Ninh self-defense team engages in combat, shooting down American aircraft on August 5, 1964. Photo: Provided by the Vietnamese People's Navy

Vietnamese People's Navy ships engage American aircraft in Hon Gai, Quang Ninh, on August 5, 1964. Photo: Provided by the Vietnamese People's Navy

Vietnamese People's Navy combat ships respond to American aircraft in Lach Truong, Thanh Hoa, on August 5, 1964. Photo: Provided by the Vietnamese People's Navy

Wreckage of four American aircraft shot down by the North Vietnamese military and people on August 5, 1964, displayed at the Van Ho Exhibition in Hanoi. Photo: Provided by the Vietnamese People's Navy

The commendation ceremony for the units that achieved the first victory on August 2 and 5, 1964, organised by the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army. Photo: Provided by the Vietnam People's Navy