Recreating historical battles of the resistance war against America with 'digital sand table'

Through 3D mapping technology, for the first time, historical battles, starting from the Central Highlands Campaign and culminating in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, are recreated in a newspaper. Viewers can also interact by scanning QR codes to view information about the battles via the website with novel interactive graphics.

That is the highlight of the interactive exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day, starting from April 23 and lasting until May 4 at the Nhan Dan Newspaper campus, 71 Hang Trong, Hanoi.

Re-enacting the Spring Victory of 1975

The exhibition includes 11 enlarged photos of the front pages of Nhan Dan Newspaper published on April 30 of 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020; recreating historical battles, starting from the Central Highlands Campaign with the culmination of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign.

Viewers can also interact by scanning QR codes to view information about the battles. This mobile model is also expected to be brought to schools so that students can experience history lessons. What's special is that readers can also project 3D Mapping at home according to the instructions, so that every Vietnamese person can relive the historical moments of 50 years ago with modern projection technology.

The exhibition is part of a special media campaign to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) carried out by Nhan Dan Newspaper.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA)

Speaking at the announcement ceremony, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan said that this activity of Nhan Dan Newspaper was very effective, following the outstanding and impressive activities of last year, which were the creation of the panorama supplement and the interactive exhibition "Dien Bien Phu Campaign" which resonated and created a profound social effect. This year, Nhan Dan Newspaper continues to publish the special supplement Ho Chi Minh Campaign, combining traditional print journalism and modern technology to bring readers new experiences.

"This is the first time a large-scale exhibition has been held at the Nhan Dan Newspaper's editorial office facing Hoan Kiem Lake, aiming to attract a large number of people and tourists. This is also the result of the innovative efforts with a high sense of responsibility of Nhan Dan Newspaper in the work of propagating important events of the country, continuing the glorious tradition of the newspaper considered the eldest brother of Vietnam's revolutionary press," said the Vice President.

The Vice President believes that with the meticulous, methodical and professional preparation of journalists, the special information campaign of Nhan Dan Newspaper on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification will be an activity of profound political and social significance, contributing to the propaganda and education of the tradition of patriotism and the spirit of great national unity of all generations of Vietnamese people, contributing to creating a strong driving force to bring our country firmly into the new era.

According to Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper Le Quoc Minh, the special information campaign of the Newspaper was carefully prepared and built 6 months ago, deployed on all publications to create many layers of massive, rich, and profound content. The topics have the participation of many leading historical-military experts, living witnesses, from heroes of the armed forces, generals, soldiers on the battlefield as well as urban commandos, to ordinary people who made the great victory of Spring 1975.

Editor-in-Chief Le Quoc Minh introduces the special information session of Nhan Dan Newspaper. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Creativity in history education

Colonel, Doctor Le Thanh Bai, Deputy Director of the Institute of Military History, expressed his pride when Nhan Dan Newspaper chose the Institute as a propaganda partner on major anniversaries of national history.

“In this cooperation, we have completely made a breakthrough in bringing historical knowledge through technology to readers and the public. For historians, we need to promote this issue because history needs to reach more of the public,” said Colonel, Dr. Le Thanh Bai.

During the process of accompanying, the Military History Institute has presented new research and the two sides have had exchanges to jointly deploy and convey to readers. Colonel Le Thanh Bai assessed that this method will revive history, promote patriotism; promote the spirit of self-reliance and self-reliance; promote national values ​​in the era of rising up and is also the propaganda goal of Nhan Dan Newspaper this time.

Mr. Tran Mai Huong, former General Director of Vietnam News Agency, a reporter present at the Independence Palace on April 30, 1975. (Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA)

One of the historical witnesses present at the launching ceremony, journalist Tran Mai Huong, former General Director of Vietnam News Agency, assessed that the propaganda method of Nhan Dan Newspaper was very special, with its own color. Previously, many activities organized by Nhan Dan Newspaper to spread about historical events were also very effective.

Journalist Tran Mai Huong, a former war correspondent for the Vietnam News Agency in the 2nd Corps formation present at the Independence Palace at noon on April 30, 1975, is also the author of the historic photo “Liberation Army tanks entering the Independence Palace.” Journalist Tran Mai Huong calls the soldiers on the battlefield “those who write history with their own blood in the fire and bullets.” What they leave behind is invaluable for future generations.

“As a war journalist, I was present at many fierce fronts such as Quang Tri, and then went to the Cambodian battlefield. At that time, although I was very young, the memories during my work left many deep impressions on me, and gradually became the spiritual baggage for my journalism career,” journalist Tran Mai Huong shared.

Therefore, Mr. Huong affirmed that the information that Nhan Dan Newspaper brings to readers through propaganda and exhibition activities is very meaningful in educating about history and the tradition of protecting national independence./.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and delegates visit the interactive exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day. (Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA)

To enhance the reader experience, from April 14, Nhan Dan Newspaper launched the information page https://thongnhatdatnuoc.nhandan.vn /.

In particular, the site integrates an interactive 3D sandbox, bringing readers to the space of the ancient battlefield, with the fighting spirit of 50 years ago. This special "StoryMap" application connects the past with the present using augmented reality (VR) technology, opening a "gate" to take viewers to the exact locations that marked the victories of the previous generation.

The above technology also continues the "touch points" initiated by the project "Love Vietnam" combining wireless connection technology (NFC) and digital data to spread love for the country, national pride, and promote historical and cultural sites across the country.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/tai-hien-cac-tran-danh-lich-su-cuoc-khang-chien-chong-my-bang-sa-ban-so-post1034519.vnp