Exhibition spotlights "Dien Bien Phu in the air" campaign

The event, which was jointly organised by the Records and Archives Department of Hanoi and National Archives Centre III under the Ministry of Home Affairs, recalls the heroic memory in late 1972 when the Vietnamese army and people resiliently fought against the US air strikes with B-52 strategic bombers - the most modern aircraft of the time - for 12 days and nights, creating the resounding 'Dien Bien Phu in the air" victory. During the battle, the Vietnamese army and people shot down 81 aircraft, including 34 B-52s. Hanoi forces alone shot down 23 B-52 strategic bombers and captured 43 pilots. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The exhibition highlights the unique and creative tactics employed by Vietnam in the campaign and the significance of the victory, which had forced the US to halt bombings in Vietnam and sign the Paris Peace Accords – an agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam, and withdraw troops out of the Southeast Asian nation. In the campaign, the Vietnamese army and people shot down 81 aircraft, including 34 strategic B-52 bombers. The victory was made possible thanks to the Vietnamese people's strong will and strength and demonstrated the Party's leadership. It contributes to educating cadres, soldiers and people on revolutionary ideals and patriotism and promoting the heroic Vietnamese People's Army tradition. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Lieutenant General Pham Tuan recounted the historical background of the "Dien Bien Phu in the air" battle and the near-death moments when he was flying a fighter plane. Documents and objects put on show at the exhibition help to prove the Party's leadership of the people-based war in the national construction and defence. They show respect and gratitude to soldiers and martyrs and arouse patriotism and pride among Vietnamese generations, especially the young. In 1968, President Ho Chi Minh stated that in Vietnam, the US would be surely defeated, but it will only be vanquished after its failure over the Hanoi skies. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The "Dien Bien Phu in the air" was the campaign lasting from December 18 to 30, 1972, by the air defence - air force, army, and people of Hanoi and other northern localities against US air raids with the deployment of strategic B-52 bombers - the most modern aircraft of the time. As many as 81 US aircraft, including 34 B-52s, were shot down during the campaign, which subsequently led to the signing of the Paris Accords in early 1973 to restore peace in Vietnam. The "Dien Bien Phu in the air" victory proved the clear-sighted prediction of President Ho Chi Minh. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Wrecks of a B52 plane shot down in Thanh Oai, Ha Tay. Nearly 10 years after bringing combatant troops into Vietnam, the US imperialists were bogged down in battlefields in the south. The US wanted to withdraw from the war without admitting failure. In December 1972, President Richard Nixon approved the Linebacker II operation. It was a sudden attack on Hanoi with B-52 Stratofortresses to force the Vietnamese Government to sign the Paris Peace Accords with terms favourable to the US. During the campaign, the US mobilised 197 out of their 207 B-52 strategic bombers and 1,077 other aircraft from three air force bases and six aircraft carriers. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Wrecks of a B-52 strategic bomber shot down in Kham Thien, Hanoi. Each wave of B-52 bombers dropped bombs onto Kham Thien Street, Bach Mai Hospital, Giap Bat, Van Dien, Uy No, Co Loa and Yen Vien in Hanoi, and many other big cities. The busy Kham Thien Street was levelled. Bach Mai, the largest hospital in the north, was destroyed. Up to 40 % of the 100,000 tonnes of bombs dropped on the north during the campaign rained down on Hanoi. As many as 1,318 Hanoians were killed, and 2,000 houses destroyed. In response to the cruel US war machine, the nation was "willing to sacrifice all but not lose independence". (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Farmers in Dinh Cong ploughing right next to the wreckage of a B-52. The "Dien Bien Phu in the air" victory proved the clear-sighted prediction of President Ho Chi Minh. That judgement also indicated that the victory over the B-52 raids in the skies of Hanoi in 1972 was a result of multiple years of research into the enemy, careful strategic and tactical preparations, and efforts to build the high will and determination of all forces, especially the air force. The US declared to "bomb Vietnam back to the stone age", but the nation defeated it with a glorious tradition of fighting invaders and belief in victory. (File photo)

Self-defence forces of Hanoi capital stand side by side with anti-aircraft artillery troops in 1972. In one night, more than half a million Hanoians were evacuated, and tens of thousands ready for action. During the resilient struggle lasting for 12 days and nights in late that year, the Vietnamese army and people shot down 81 aircraft, including 34 B-52 strategic bombers, and captured many enemy pilots. The victory was made possible thanks to the Vietnamese people's strong will and strength and demonstrated the Party's leadership. It contributes to educating cadres, soldiers and people on revolutionary ideals and patriotism and promoting the heroic Vietnamese People's Army tradition. (File photo)

Impressive numbers represent the "Dien Bien Phu in the air". During the campaign, the US mobilised 197 out of their 207 B-52 strategic bombers and 1,077 other aircraft from three air force bases and six aircraft carriers. As many as 1,318 Hanoians were killed, and 2,000 houses destroyed. In response to the cruel US war machine, the nation with a glorious tradition of fighting invaders and belief in victory was "willing to sacrifice all but not lose independence" and subsequently defeated the US. The campaign forced the US to halt bombings in Vietnam, sign the Paris Peace Accords – an agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam, and withdraw troops from the Southeast Asian nation. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The exhibition attracts crowds of visitors. The US military launched a sudden attack on Hanoi with B-52 strategic bombers to force the Vietnamese Government to sign the Paris Peace Accords with terms favourable to the US. Documents and objects put on show at the exhibition help to prove the Party's leadership of the people-based war in the national construction and defence. They show respect and gratitude to soldiers and martyrs and arouse patriotism and pride among Vietnamese generations, especially the young, contributing to educating cadres, soldiers and people on revolutionary ideals and patriotism and promoting the heroic tradition of the  Vietnam People's Army. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Colonel, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyen Dinh Kien, who shot down a B-52 strategic bomber, said the planes of this type were equipped with many radar jammers, so it was difficult to target and shoot down. The "Dien Bien Phu in the air" victory proved the clear-sighted prediction of President Ho Chi Minh. It also indicated that the victory over the B-52 raids in the skies of Hanoi in 1972 was a result of multiple years of research into the enemy, careful strategic and tactical preparations, and efforts to build the high will and determination of all forces, especially the air force. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Several artefacts displayed at the exhibition were presented to National Archives Centre III by the family of Ambassador Ha Van Lau. The ambassador was a diplomat directly involved in the negotiations related to the Paris Agreement in 1973. Vietnam's victory forced the US to halt bombings in Vietnam, sign the Paris Peace Accords – an agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam, and withdraw troops from the Southeast Asian nation. Nowadays, Hanoi is growing strongly. The heart of the country has now become a peaceful destination. The war has gone, but it is still important to arouse patriotism and national pride among young people (Photo: VietnamPlus)./.