Portrait of "108 Vietnamese Fighter Pilots"

Author Tu Phuong Thao and photographer Ngo Nhat Hoang were both born and raised in peace, but their respect for their fathers' generation inspired them to create the photo book 108 Vietnamese Fighter Pilots (The Gioi Publishing House).

On April 26, at Carp Bookstore (No. 211-213, Vo Van Tan Street, Ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City), in the exciting and proud atmosphere of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, author Tu Phuong Thao and photographer Ngo Nhat Hoang jointly organized an exchange program to launch the photo book 108 Vietnamese Fighter Pilots .

Captain Nguyen Nam Lien as MC and former pilots who had many achievements in the war such as Nguyen Van Tho, Nguyen Anh Son, Nguyen Hung Son, Duong Ba Khang, Ho Duy Hung... attended.

From left to right: author Tu Phuong Thao, Captain Nguyen Nam Lien, MiG-17 pilot Colonel Tu De and photographer Ngo Nhat Hoang

According to author Tu Phuong Thao, 9 years ago, she cherished the idea of ​​writing a book about Vietnamese pilots with photographer Ngo Nhat Hoang. With the initial support of her father, who is also Colonel pilot, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Tu De, the first book of the two authors was printed internally and sent to the heroes on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory in the air.

108 Vietnamese Fighter Pilots is nearly 300 pages thick with more than 600 images, with the participation of consultants and prestigious individuals such as: MiG-21 pilot Colonel Ha Quang Hung; MiG-17 pilot Colonel Le Ngoc Son, MiG-17 pilot Colonel Tu De and Captain Nguyen Nam Lien.

Besides some heroic faces often mentioned by the media, the book also depicts portraits of other silent pilot heroes during wartime. From fighter pilots, armed helicopter pilots to transport pilots, flight instructors, reconnaissance pilots or test pilots. There are heroes who shine brightly with dozens of achievements, but there are also silent faces, even obscure but have contributed significantly to the victory of the nation.

The book does not simply list biographies and feats, but also records the stories of heroes through humorous stories of teammates or sincere, emotional confessions. From those stories, the author has brought out the calm demeanor of the pilots. They are humble, simple, and see being a fighter pilot as normal as any other job.

Photographer Ngo Nhat Hoang said the arrangement of old and new photos was both intentional and accidental when he and author Tu Phuong Thao visited the house and learned that the residents still kept many interesting and meaningful photos. Some of the photos have never been published.

HO SON

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/khac-hoa-chan-dung-108-phi-cong-chien-dau-viet-nam-post792655.html