An opportunity to educate our children and grandchildren about history.

This was the statement of Major General Ho Sy Hau, former Director of the Economic Department ( Ministry of National Defense ), in response to the interest of all segments of the population, especially young people, in the military and national defense.

In recent days, the Vietnam Military History Museum has attracted a large number of people from all walks of life to visit and learn, including many young people such as students - Photo: N. TRAN

This is demonstrated by the appeal of the Vietnam Military History Museum.

We had three great things to rely on. First, living among the people, surrounded by their support. Second, living in camaraderie, supporting each other through all difficulties. Third, the will and discipline to overcome countless hardships caused by enemy sabotage or the challenges of terrain and weather...

Major General HO SY HAU

The journey of solidarity between the military and the people.

Major General HO SY HAU

* What are your thoughts on some recent unusual phenomena, such as the new Vietnam Military History Museum attracting a large number of visitors, or other defense exhibitions?

- With the museum now located in its new position (Thang Long Avenue, Tay Mo Ward, Dai Mo, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi ) with a spacious grounds and advanced exhibition technology, many people are hoping to see how great battles like the Battle of Dien Bien Phu will be depicted in the new museum.

In recent days, among the visitors to the museum, there have been many families bringing their children to see the exhibits.

They wanted to go see it, and also bring their children and grandchildren along to educate them about military history and the history of their country.

Defense exhibitions attract a large number of visitors because, given Vietnam's geopolitical position, every citizen desires a strong military capable of protecting the country's peace and security.

Our country's 4,000-year history is a history of fighting foreign invaders and defending the nation, so people want to see how the army's equipment has recently improved. They want to see the development of our army to strengthen their faith in the peace of the country that the army is protecting day and night.

* The public's interest in the military and national defense also reflects the special bond between the military and the people, doesn't it, sir?

- That's right. Having gone through so many wars, it's clear that the development of the Vietnam People's Army has been closely linked to the people. It can be said that the army's journey is a journey of the bond between the army and the people.

Our army went from 34 soldiers armed with bamboo sticks, spears, and flintlock guns to artillery during the war against the French, and missiles during the war against the Americans...

Now that our military capabilities have seen new developments, it's natural that the people are very interested and are trying every way to access them, hoping that with new weapons, we will be able to protect our country better.

Many weapons and equipment belonging to the Vietnam People's Army, as well as those designed and manufactured in Vietnam, were displayed at the 2024 International Defence Exhibition - Photo: N. TRAN

Strength lies not only in weapons.

* And the strength of our army certainly doesn't lie solely in advanced modern weapons, because we have fought and won countless battles against armies equipped with weapons far more advanced than ours.

- Protecting peace relies not only on advanced modern weapons, but also on our nation's tradition of fighting invaders and defending our country. Sometimes, other countries cannot utilize the same weapons as effectively as we do.

With the Soviet-era SAM-2 missiles they had previously equipped, the Americans thought we couldn't possibly counter the B-52s, but in 12 days and nights, our troops inflicted heavy losses on the US Air Force's B-52 forces.

During the war against the US, I heard that the Soviet oil pipeline to Afghanistan was unsuccessful, but that same pipeline, built under the protection and support of our people and the people of Laos, was successful, even though it had to be built amidst bombing and shelling.

Back then, I was in the military branch building the oil pipeline on the Truong Son Road, and I witnessed countless miracles that our soldiers accomplished with this oil pipeline.

Just one piece of shrapnel falling into the pipeline could cause a fire, and enemy planes would swarm in to attack.

Yet our pipelines traversed thousands of kilometers of perilous terrain to serve the battlefield, especially to ensure the success of the Spring Offensive of 1975 and the Ho Chi Minh Campaign.

Any modern weapon in the hands of the Vietnam People's Army, under the leadership of the Party, the ingenuity of the commanders, and the will of the army and its soldiers, is multiplied many times over in the fight against invading enemies.

* In your opinion, what contributed to the strength of our army?

- The strength of our army comes first and foremost from the patriotism of Vietnamese citizens, secondly from the training gained through arduous struggle, and thirdly from being tempered in camaraderie and the support of the people.

Of course, the strength of the army lies in discipline, but in the army, political and ideological education is very important and must be done correctly, often not just with slogans but with something very concrete on the battlefield.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/co-hoi-giao-duc-lich-su-cho-con-chau-20241218084850888.htm