In Search of MiG Valley: Leaving the Past Behind and Looking to the Future

Pain, loss, and hatred must be put aside to make a living and, most importantly, to create conditions for the next generation to enjoy a peaceful life.

I tried to write about fighter pilots of both MiG-17 and MiG-21 aircraft in the years 1965 - 1967. Writing more about the battles of little-known people, it is somewhat heroic, sometimes even tragic.

The meeting closes the past between the "old air enemies"

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Among them were many unsuccessful battles, even bitter defeats and great sacrifices and losses. That was the price to pay for the victory that followed.

I also rarely write in depth about pilots who have had resounding and outstanding achievements when they have had a reputation, are known by many people because they have been conveyed in many books and media to all members of society. Because of the heavy heart for the contributions and sacrifices, sometimes silently to the point of disadvantage, the content I write is not liked by everyone... The content I write reflects what is little known so that people have another perspective, a little more understanding for a more complete understanding of the difficult achievements of the Vietnam People's Air Force against the US Air Force.

In the extremely fierce war to gain independence and freedom for the Vietnamese people, many pilots of the Vietnam People's Air Force sacrificed their lives along with hundreds of thousands, millions of outstanding Vietnamese people.

Overcoming differences, promoting similarities

After the war, the wariness, caution, hatred, and dislike of Americans and America could not be removed quickly.

The bitterness and resentment has caused generations of Americans to be stuck in the "Vietnam War Syndrome". More than 20 years of direct involvement and war (1954 - 1975) and then another 20 years to normalize relations when US President Bill Clinton made a statement about this (July 11, 1995). The very next day, July 12, 1995, Vietnamese Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet announced the establishment of diplomatic relations with the US.

Time has gradually eased the pain and hatred, but it took another 20 years (2015) for the Americans to acknowledge and fully respect the political system of Vietnam led by the Communist Party through the solemn reception of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Washington. The diplomatic policies of the two sides "maybe" meet at the point of "Putting aside the past to move towards the future" in the spirit of "overcoming differences and promoting similarities". That is why there was a historic reception by US President Barack Obama for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong from July 5 to 11, 2015. I feel very fortunate to have been assigned to join the group of veterans and intellectuals accompanying the General Secretary on this visit.

After the historic meeting in July 2015, many activities in the economic, political, diplomatic, military, educational sectors... have had strong changes. Veteran diplomacy activities between the US and Vietnam have been promoted. Particularly prominent are veteran pilots who organized 3 historic meetings between the "former air enemies" in 2016, 2017 and 2018...

Through that, we - former pilots from both sides - understood each other better. From tension, suspicion to acceptance of the difference in assessing the combat results between the "Vietnam People's Air Force and the US Air Force". We also understood that the former leaders of both sides were mostly too old and many had passed away. They were no longer able to have their own opinions when both sides gave negative opinions. Reality has proven quite clearly: Who was the final winner in this US - Vietnam war?

There are many young people, even some older people, who still have the way of thinking and evaluating according to the old propaganda style, which is not really realistic, sometimes impulsively using incorrect words like the US Air Force is scared to death when meeting our Air Force, then admires the Vietnamese Air Force... and so on. Let me make it clear: We Vietnamese pilots never delude ourselves that we are better than American pilots. We can fight thanks to the widespread people's air defense system, that is what makes American pilots afraid, not just the missile force, anti-aircraft, or air force.

However, both in the air and on the ground, there are always right-wing cowards and wavering people. Therefore, there must be brave, heroic individuals who dare to fight, dare to sacrifice, find a way to fight and win like pilots, typically Tran Hanh, Le Minh Huan, Ngo Duc Mai, Le Hai, Nguyen Van Bay, Vo Van Man... on the type.

MiG-17 or Nguyen Hong Nhi, Ha Van Chuc, Nguyen Van Coc, Nguyen Dang Kinh, Dong Van Song, Nguyen Tien Sam, Pham Tuan, Le Thanh Dao, Hoang Tam Hung, Vo Sy Giap, Vu Xuan Thieu... on MiG-21.

We would like to express our gratitude and forever remember your contributions. We hope that our children and grandchildren will always live under the peaceful sky.

(Excerpt from In Search of MiG Valley - Pham Phu Thai - Information and Communication Publishing House)

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