More than 500 items, documents and photos featuring of the land and people of Vietnam , particularly Vietnamese heroes and cultural celebrities, went on display at the Vietnam Revolutionary Museum on Oct. 4.

The exhibition showcases the lives and careers of more than 50 heroes and famous men of culture, who made great contributions to the country's national independence, construction and development during different periods. They include Le Loi - who successfully led the Lam Son insurrection which ended Ming domination- and Nguyen Trai - a national hero and cultural celebrity in the 15th century.

Exhibition goers also have a chance to see valuable documents and items relating to late President Ho Chi Minh, such as the original copy of his diary in prison and a picture depicting the President with representatives of children from three regions of the country which was painted in blood by painter Diep Minh Chau in 1947.

The exhibition, one of many events to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, also spotlights the history, development and people of the capital city.

"The event expresses the current generation's gratitude to the previous generations who made great sacrifices for national independence and want to help educate the younger generation about the country's history and patriotism," said the museum director Pham Quoc Quan.

"I am deeply moved to visit the exhibition, which reminds me of historic moments," said 60-year-old Nguyen Thi Phuong My in Hoan Kiem district's Hang Bai street .

"I am also very happy to see many young people here, which means that they are interested in the country's history," she said.

The exhibition will run until December 31.

On the same day, an exhibition featuring famous battles and campaigns opened in the Vietnam Military History Museum, including the Battle of Bach Dang river in 938 against the invading forces of the Nanhan of China, the Dong Da-Ngoc Hoi battle against Qing invaders in 1789, the battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954 against the French colonialists and the Ho Chi Minh campaign in 1975 that led to the total liberation of South Vietnam on April 30, 1975.

The exhibition, held to celebrate the capital city's 1,000th birthday, will last one month./.