108 Vietnamese fighter pilots pay tribute to the golden generation of pilots

Author Tu Phuong Thao and Heroic Pilot - Lieutenant General Nguyen Duc Soat (79 years old, a character in the book) at the book launch event of 108 Vietnamese fighter pilots in Ho Chi Minh City at the end of April 2025.

The bilingual book 108 Vietnamese fighter pilots (English title: Vietnamese Air Warriors) with more than 600 color and black and white pictures, contains many new and vivid contents. "Gratitude and honor" is the message of the book sent to the generation of heroic pilots. Readers will understand more, love more and be proud of what the previous generation has devoted and is willing to sacrifice to protect the Fatherland, regain national independence, unify the country, and bring peace. Besides, there is the generation of young pilots who are currently protecting the sacred sky of the Fatherland day and night.

Everlasting historical value

The publication introduces the heroic faces of pilots during the war, a relatively complete picture of our air force during the war, vividly and intimately presented through the feelings and memories of the characters combined with emotional stories from teammates. At the same time, historical battles are also described heroically.

“I am proud that my youth was spent flying in the warm sunshine, in the clouds, in storms, on land and at sea” - quoted from a Vietnamese air force pilot in the book.

Stories about each famous heroic pilot, some of whom died during the war at the age of 20-30, and many of whom became Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, generals, and leaders of air force regiments. One of the most vivid examples of patriotism and strong will is hero Nguyen Van Bay (1936-2019), a pilot who shot down 7 planes during the resistance war and was very humorous and cheerful in peacetime. There are also heroes Nguyen Van Coc, Tran Hanh, Ho Van Quy, Le Van Cuong, Le Thanh Dao, Pham Tuan, Vu Ngoc Dinh, Vu Dinh Rang, Le Hai, etc.

The different characteristics of the pilot profession (fighter pilot, bomber pilot, helicopter pilot, transport pilot, armed reconnaissance pilot, test pilot, flight instructor...) are introduced in an attractive way, providing valuable information that few people know if they are not in the industry, through special characters: training pilots such as Colonel Nguyen Phuong Anh, Nguyen Thang Thang, Nguyen Quang Bo, Nguyen Van Khuya...

Book published by World Publishing House in April 2025.

Not only do readers learn more about how our ancestors fought heroically, they also learn more about the stories and daily joys and sorrows of those who once owned the “silver swallows in the sky” until now. Many pilots left the industry after the war to return to a simple, ordinary life, even though they faced difficulties in daily life, they remained optimistic and tolerant.

Editor-in-chief Tu Phuong Thao is the daughter of Heroic Pilot Tu De (born in 1949, a member of the Quyet Thang Squadron, who dropped a bomb on Tan Son Nhat Airport on April 28, 1975). She is the producer of a documentary series about pilots and students flying E910 - Lecture Hall in the Clouds from 2017-2023. "Fortunately meeting the heroes through images when they were young and comparing them to the present gave me the opportunity to understand the characters more fully and was very moved by their incredibly beautiful moments such as their demeanor when climbing into the cockpit, taking off, landing and returning, stepping off the plane with sweat dripping but bright smiles" - Phuong Thao said.

Inspire pride

Photographer Ngo Nhat Hoang said that he and editor Tu Phuong Thao have been working on the book project for the past 9 years with more than 200 trips across the three regions of the North - Central - South to be able to record images and stories of military pilots in the history of the Vietnamese Air Force. Mr. Nhat Hoang expressed: "This is a journey to learn about and honor the great contributions of the Air Defense - Air Force Service, generations of fighter pilots. Through this project, I hope to bring everyone a deeper insight into the heroes who contributed to protecting the sky of the Fatherland, while at the same time arousing pride and honoring precious historical values".

Regiment 921 (Yen Bai) - The first fighter air regiment of the Vietnam Air Force. Photo: Ngo Nhat Hoang

Editor-in-chief Tu Phuong Thao said: “The people who regularly “watch the Fatherland from above” that I have met and convinced to appear in the book are truly proud eagles, with the spirit of the once glorious and heroic air force soldiers intact, but also very modest and simple. They have the image of a heroic time, with many feelings of love for their units and comrades, and at the same time are warm and gentle family men in peacetime.”

Readers were deeply moved and impressed by portraits such as the heroic fighter pilot Phan Diet, a disabled veteran who has been in a wheelchair for over 55 years. Despite this, he has a very cheerful demeanor, a strong and optimistic spirit, and a successful and happy family and children in Vinh city (Nghe An).

The book also has specific and clear explanations for general readers to access knowledge about types of aircraft (attack aircraft, fighters, helicopters, transport aircraft, etc.), historical information about the main milestones in the victory of the Vietnamese Air Force. Although the title and content of the book are about 108 heroic pilots during wartime, in reality, the related characters that the team approached are more than the number 108, including images of today's generation of pilots full of youthful enthusiasm. "The book is also the contribution of many young pilots during peacetime, along with history lovers, friends at home and abroad..." - Ms. Phuong Thao said.

Loyalty

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202505/108-phi-cong-chien-dau-viet-nam-tri-an-the-he-vang-phi-cong-46b26cd/