Young women transporting food, men enlisting in the army, a destroyed bridge, a tank of the enemy shot down... these are some of the images of the northern border defence war in 1979.
At dawn on February 17, 1979, more than 500,000 Chinese troops and thousands of tanks and vehicles entered Vietnam across the border and simultaneously attacked six northern provinces from Pa Nam Cum (Lai Chau) to Po Hen (Quang Ninh) on a length of 1,200 km.
The eastern wing had a forward headquarters located in Nanning (China) with Lang Son as the main target. Chinese troops moved in two directions, the first towards Dong Dang and the second towards Dong Khe and Cao Bang. They faced strong resistance from the Vietnamese army and people.
Determined to protect the country and its territorial integrity, the Vietnamese army and people fought back, bringing about the end of the war on March 18 the same year.
On the 44th anniversary of the war, take a look back at some of the moments Vietnamese reporters captured during the battle.
At 4:17 a.m. on February 17, 1979, while the people of Hoang Lien Son were sleeping, cannonballs from the North suddenly came and set the borderland on fire. In the photo: A soldier with a B41 rocket launcher next to the Lạng Sơn Km 0 milestone, a symbolic image of the northern border war in February 1979.
Photographer Tran Manh Thuong recorded the image of Cao Bang town bombarded by Chinese troops. Other reporters of the Vietnam News Agency recorded many unforgettable moments of the northern border defence war 1979.The provinces in the war zone included Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Quang Ninh. The fiercest time was from February 20 to 28, when the Chinese army frantically attacked the defensive position. In the photo: Song Bang Bridge was destroyed. Photo: Tran Manh Thuong.In this war, the Chinese army used mines, including the K58 mine which is very small and is capable of disabling mine detectors. Photo: Tran HongTay ethnic women transported food and supplies to soldiers.The Ministry of National Defense quickly mobilized troops to defend the northern border. The total defense force of Vietnam along the border line at this time was about 50,000 people, mainly local soldiers, armed police officers and self-defense militia. In the photo: soldiers marched in Cao Bang on February 25, 1979.Goods were transported to the northern border.Soldiers of Regiment 567 and Ta Lung and Quang Hoa border posts at Khu Chia Pass, Phuc Hoa (Cao Bang) on February 27, 1979. Photo: Tran Manh Thuong.Young people voluntarily joined the army to defend the country.A Chinese tank was shot down on the morning of February 18, 1979 at the Cao Binh suspension bridge in Cao Bang Province.Mr. Nong Van At in Hung Dao commune in Cao Bang Province burst into tears when he was interviewed by foreign media about the death of his wife and children. His 6-month pregnant wife and four children, the oldest is 10 years old and the youngest is 3 years old, were killed and thrown into a well. Photo: Tran Manh Thuong.Soldier Bui Thi Mui from Phu Tho Province held a baby girl on Tai Ho Sin bridge, Bach Dang commune, Hoa An district of Cao Bang province on February 24, 1979. Photo: Tran Manh Thuong.Tank soldiers of 1st Platoon, 2nd Company, 407th Battalion chase the enemy in Lang Son town. Photo: The Thuan.Border guard Ngo Duy Nhung saves a baby from the rubble. Photo: Ngo Dinh Phuoc.Chinese anti-tank guns, B41 bullets, and machine guns were captured by Vietnamese soldiers.A self-defence force of female soldiers in Ban Phiet Forest in Hoang Lien Son (now Lao Cai) Province. Photo Nguyen TranThe Vietnamese military travelled to the northern battlefield in February 1979. — Photo Nhat TruongLang Son Front Command and the Division 327 commanders discuss the battle plan at Chua Tien Cave. Photo Van BaoLuc Van Vinh (centre) and all five children from Cao Bang Province joined the armed forces to protect the northern border. Photo Ta HaiA doctor treats a secondary school student hit by shelling in Ha Tuyen (now Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang) Province. Photo Hua KiemHouses destroyed by shelling on the street of Pho Bang Town in Dong Van District of Ha Tuyen (now Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang) Province. Photo Ngoc QuanA veteran pays respects to his fallen comrades at Vi Xuyen National Martyrs' Cemetery in northern Hà Giang Province. Photo Thanh TungA family member visits the grave of a fallen soldier at Vi Xuyen National Martyrs' Cemetery. Photo Minh TamA veteran pays respects to his fallen comrades at Vi Xuyen National Martyrs' Cemetery in northern Ha Giang Province. Photo Thanh TungMartyrs' remains were recovered and prepared for burial at Vi Xuyen National Martyrs' Cemetery. Photo Minh Tam
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