When artifacts tell stories

DNO - To commemorate the 51st anniversary of the liberation of Da Nang (March 29, 1975 - March 29, 2026), the Da Nang Museum is showcasing nearly 2,500 artifacts and war relics - vivid testaments recreating the heroic memories and indomitable fighting spirit of the city's people and soldiers throughout various periods.

Visitors at the exhibition space at the Da Nang Museum.

Heroic mementos

According to the Da Nang Museum, it currently houses nearly 2,500 artifacts and memorabilia, along with various types of equipment and weapons from the resistance war against the US.

To commemorate the 51st anniversary of the liberation of our homeland, these artifacts will be introduced and displayed at the museum's main facility, 31 Tran Phu Street (Da Nang).

According to Mr. Huynh Dinh Quoc Thien, Director of the Da Nang Museum, the aforementioned war artifacts are the result of a large-scale collection spanning four years, which was filtered and finalized for the museum's inauguration and renovation in March 2025. Nearly 2,000 artifacts have already been put on display under the theme "The Struggle to Defend National Independence" .

However, the museum didn't stop there; it continued its efforts to find and add more than 500 new artifacts, further enriching its valuable historical archives.

According to the Da Nang Museum, the current war artifacts can be divided into three main themes. Firstly, they reflect the life and fighting process of the army and people of Da Nang - Quang Nam during the two wars of resistance against foreign invaders, with the focus being on the war against the US.

Secondly, to preserve the mementos, artifacts, and manuscripts of those who bravely sacrificed themselves for national independence, who directly participated in the fighting in the Truong Son mountain range or in strategic areas and urban centers.

Thirdly, these historical documents denounce the war crimes of the enemy, while also vividly portraying the tenacious and resourceful fighting spirit of our army and people throughout each stage of the revolution.

According to Mr. Huynh Dinh Quoc Thien, associated with the event of the Liberation Day of Da Nang (March 29, 1975), the Museum currently preserves two particularly valuable artifacts: the seal of the Da Nang Military Administration Committee and the Honda Dame motorcycle of Mr. Kieu Thanh Tan (1928 - 2023), a cadre involved in building the urban guerrilla forces.

The seal of the Military Governing Committee was a handcrafted product, used immediately after Da Nang was liberated.

The seal, engraved at that time, signified the establishment of the authority and legal validity of the new government. Notably, Announcement No. 1 – the document announcing the list of the City Military Administration Committee chaired by Comrade Ho Nghinh – was the first document to bear this seal.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kieu Thanh Tan's Honda Dame motorcycle is an artifact closely associated with the activities of the revolutionary liaison team. From March 26 to 28, 1975, the motorcycle was used to travel in and out of the city, communicate with revolutionary bases, and convey instructions from superiors.

At 6:00 AM on March 29, 1975, Mr. Kieu Thanh Tan used this vehicle to travel from Hoa Xuan commune to the city center to assess the situation. He then handed it over to Mr. Pham Kieu Da (acting District Commander of District 1) and commando soldier Tran Phu to move in, occupy the City Hall, raise the revolutionary flag, and officially liberate the homeland.

“These two artifacts are just a very small part of the countless stories and events that we want to share. They are vivid proofs that help younger generations and the people of the city better understand the nation's resistance struggle,” Mr. Huynh Dinh Quoc Thien emphasized.

Efforts to preserve and digitize

Mr. Truong Nguyen Nguyen Kha, Head of the Collection, Exhibition and Preservation Department of the Da Nang Museum, said that war relics are always a group of artifacts that the technical team pays special attention to. Each artifact, preserved intact and displayed, is not only a historical document but also a testament to the heroic revolutionary spirit passed down to future generations.

Many artifacts still bear the traces of the blood and bones of our compatriots and comrades who sacrificed their lives, therefore they need to be preserved strictly and completely.

The preservation of artifacts at the Museum is carried out regularly, systematically, and on a regular basis. Exhibition spaces are cleaned weekly, while the storage area undergoes a thorough cleaning quarterly. Environmental factors such as temperature and humidity are strictly controlled to ensure optimal conditions and extend the lifespan of the artifacts.

In parallel with this, in line with the digital transformation policy, the Da Nang Museum is promoting digitization to improve the efficiency of archiving and promotion. Data, information, and images of artifacts are regularly updated on the unit's and the cultural sector's management software; artifact records are also scanned and digitized.

All data is stored in the digital space in accordance with regulations, and is being gradually selected and introduced to the public on digital platforms, thereby spreading historical values, providing accurate information, and attracting the attention of the public and researchers.

"We are proposing that relevant authorities invest more in storage systems such as cabinets, shelves, pedestals, and platforms; and at the same time, focus on training professional staff and creating opportunities for them to participate in training courses on inventory and preservation of artifacts organized by the industry and the Department of Heritage," Mr. Nguyen Kha suggested.

According to Mr. Huynh Dinh Quoc Thien, in reality, many relics of the resistance war are still preserved within the community. The more than 2,500 artifacts currently available at the Da Nang Museum are only a small part of that treasure trove of memories.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/khi-hien-vat-ke-chuyen-3329527.html