On the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of the victory of "Dien Bien Phu in the air" (December 1972 - December 2025), on November 25, 2025, the Hoa Lo Prison Relic Management Board held the opening ceremony of the thematic exhibition "Aspiration for peace " at the historical relic of Hoa Lo Prison (No. 1 Hoa Lo Street, Cua Nam Ward, Hanoi).
The exhibition "Aspiration for Peace" includes three contents: "Blazing Memories"; "Anti-war Wave" and "For a Blue Sky".
The content of "Blazing Memories" recreates the scene at the end of December 1972, when North Vietnam was shaken by the US imperialists' air raids. A series of B52 planes and tactical aircraft of the US military were mobilized to conduct bombing and destruction of Hanoi, Hai Phong and some localities in North Vietnam. Military positions, traffic hubs, factories, enterprises, hospitals, schools, and densely populated neighborhoods all became targets of US bombs. Every house and street in Hanoi and Hai Phong had to endure carpet bombing, causing "the earth to shake, tiles to shatter, and bricks to crumble".
Under the fierce rain of bombs and bullets, the armed forces proactively and creatively coordinated with the people of the Capital to fight steadfastly. With bravery and creativity in combat, the radar troops "Searching for Enemies" and the air defense - air force troops such as "Fire Dragon" and "Silver Swallow" took off to defeat the attack of the US imperialists. Due to the combat requirements, the General Staff decided to allow the Capital Command to establish 8 self-defense companies to concentrate on fighting, separating from production. The officers and soldiers of the companies were mostly workers from many concentrated factories. With the people's war strategy, Vietnam once again affirmed its strength, establishing the victory of "Dien Bien Phu in the air".
The second content, entitled "Anti-war Wave", introduces the activities protesting the US war in Vietnam, demanding peace that took place right in the heart of America. Many Americans participated in anti-war marches. Thousands of young people burned draft papers, hundreds of American officers were arrested for protesting the war, thousands of soldiers refused to go to war. The voice of conscience was also raised from American veterans, soldiers who were fighting and from pilots who were being held in prison camps in North Vietnam. The resistance of the Vietnamese people was not alone, because there was always the companionship of peace-loving American people.
On the Vietnam battlefield, witnessing the painful consequences of war and the increasing casualties of their comrades, American soldiers gradually realized the evil purpose of the war and yearned to find a peaceful solution. Letters sent home, leaflets calling for peace, images of American soldiers sitting in wheelchairs participating in protests..., all portrayed a different picture of war - where there were not only bombs and bullets and cruelty, but also awakening consciences.
The content of "For a Blue Sky" recounts the period after the Paris Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam was signed on January 27, 1973, when American pilots were returned to their country. Along with the post-war wound healing activities of the Vietnamese and American governments, many American veterans returned to Vietnam, contributing to building friendship between the two countries. Today, Vietnam is actively, positively, and responsibly participating in international issues to join hands in building a peaceful and developed world.
The highlight of the opening ceremony was the scene reenacting the efforts of doctors and nurses at Bach Mai Hospital in overcoming the devastating consequences of the carpet bombing of the hospital by American aircraft on December 22, 1972. Professor Do Doan Dai - Director of the hospital made decisive decisions to save the lives of doctors and nurses and patients buried in the rubble.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/trung-bay-khat-vong-hoa-binh-tai-di-tich-nha-tu-hoa-lo.html
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