The Vietnam Military History Museum (Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi) has opened its doors to visitors free of charge since November 1.
Among the 150,000 artifacts on display, there are 4 treasures associated with the history of fighting against the US and saving the country: 2 MiG-21 aircraft with serial numbers 4324 and 5121, T54B tank with serial number 843 and the Ho Chi Minh Campaign Determination map.
MiG-21 aircraft with serial number 4324
Hanging high in the middle of the museum's main hall, the MiG-21 aircraft with serial number 4324 is a single-pilot jet fighter aircraft produced by the former Soviet Union in 1965, providing aid to Vietnam during the resistance war against the US to save the country.
The MiG-21 aircraft with serial number 4324 was assigned to the fighter squadron of Regiment 921 (Red Star Air Force), Division 371, used from January 1967 to May 1969.
Historically, the MiG-21 aircraft with serial number 4324 took part in combat to prevent attacks by the US Air Force in North Vietnam and achieved 14 times of shooting down US aircraft. Therefore, this aircraft was honored to wear 14 red stars.
There were 9 comrades who took turns flying this plane, later 8 of them were awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces. A typical example is Hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyen Van Coc who shot down enemy planes 9 times and was awarded 9 Uncle Ho badges.
MIG-21 aircraft with serial number 4324 is a valuable artifact symbolizing the victory of the Vietnam Air Force, contributing to the victory over the first destructive war in the North by the US empire (1965-1968).
MiG-21 aircraft with serial number 5121
The MiG-21 aircraft with serial number 5121 was produced by the Soviet Union, provided to Vietnam and equipped by the Air Defense - Air Force for the Red Star Air Force. This aircraft participated in the "Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air" campaign in December 1972.
This plane is associated with the names of many famous pilots in combat such as Lieutenant General Pham Tuan, Colonel Vu Dinh Rang, Dinh Ton... On the fuselage of the plane are 5 red stars, recording 5 times shooting down American planes.
Notably, Pham Tuan - the third person to use this MiG - in the battle on the night of December 27, 1972 shot down a B-52, the "flying fortress" considered invulnerable by the US Air Force.
MiG-21 aircraft with serial number 5121 is an artifact of special value related to the campaign to defeat the US strategic B52 raid on Hanoi in December 1972, forcing the US to sign the Paris Agreement on Vietnam.
T54B tank with serial number 843
The T54B tank numbered 843 was one of the first tanks to crash into the side gate of the Independence Palace at noon on April 30, 1975, becoming a very valuable artifact of the nation.
Tank number 843 was assigned to Company 4 (Battalion 1, Tank Brigade 203, Army Corps 2 since May 1974). As part of the combat formation, tank 843 marched to liberate Hue, Da Nang, the Central provinces and headed straight to Saigon after traveling nearly 1,000km with the motto "speed to victory".
The car has special historical value related to the Ho Chi Minh Campaign in the General Offensive and Uprising in the Spring of 1975. The car is also a proud testament of the Vietnam People's Army, contributing to the final victory of the nation.
In addition to the three treasures currently on display at the museum, the remaining treasure is the Ho Chi Minh Campaign Determination Map which is being temporarily preserved. The Ho Chi Minh Campaign Determination Map is an artifact representing the creative and intellectual achievements of the Campaign Command, and is one of the decisive factors in the development and victory of the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign.
