Brian Jeffrey
At the Vietnam Military History Museum, a collection of nearly 300 images, documents, and artifacts showcases the evolution and military history of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA). This exhibition commemorates 35 years of the All-People National Defense Day and celebrates the VPA’s 80th anniversary.
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The “Heroic Army – Strong National Defense” exhibit comprises three main themes: “The Birth of the Revolutionary Army,” “Decisive Victory for National Independence,” and “Strong National Defense to Protect the Homeland.”
This exhibition features many items never shown before, including rare artifacts preserved by military units throughout Vietnam. Noteworthy items include five Gold Star Medals awarded to the VPA and Certificates along with First-Class Military Merit Medals from President Ho Chi Minh, issued to the Liberation Army and two other forces in 1948.
Displayed in the “Decisive Victory for National Independence” section is the Heroic Unit Flag, which showcases 154 medals awarded to Special Forces Unit 367 by the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam.
The exhibition features various weapons from the prolonged resistance against foes, including recoilless rifles and machine guns utilized by the VPA between 1964 and 1975, along with captured weapons.
Key weaponry on display includes:
A steering wheel from a ship that was part of Brigade 125, used for defense of the Spratly Islands in March 1988.
A 105mm artillery shell casing from Quang Ninh’s artillery regiment, utilized during the defense of the northern border at Mong Cai in February 1979.
A 122mm shell casing used by Regiment 68 in support of infantry operations in Lang Son around the same time.
A highlight of the exhibition is the showcasing of modern military technology, such as the locally developed UAV-BXL.01 combat drone crafted by Factory Z131 under the General Department of Defense Industry.
The UAV-BXL.01 is engineered to serve as a suicide drone, featuring a distinctive warhead capable of eliminating various armored targets, including tanks and radar systems, with armor thickness up to 250mm.
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Among the exhibited items is the 73mm SPG-9-T2 anti-tank gun (left) and the 9II-117M1 launcher (right). The 73mm gun is designed to defeat armored vehicles and enemy forces sheltered in fortified positions.
Included is a model of the Naval Command Headquarters located in Hong Bang District, Hai Phong City.
The exhibition also highlights the achievements of Vietnam’s peacekeeping forces, overseen by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Huy Hieu expressed deep gratitude for attending the “Heroic Army – Strong National Defense” exhibition. He emphasized the responsibility of today’s People’s Army to uphold national defense traditions, advocating for the younger generation to embrace technology and innovation to keep pace with historical progress.
