Entitled Tình Yêu Qua Chiến Tranh (Love in the War), the event is a tribute to fallen soldiers, who devoted their blood, youth, and happiness for the nation’s freedom and independence.

The exhibition sheds light on 12 love stories of soldiers through their letters, photos and memories. The stories include one between female soldier Nguyen Thi Bich Thao and her comrade Do Dinh Suu; between nurse Tran Thi Kinh and soldier Nguyen Van Dao, and the special wedding between doctor Nguyen Thi Ngoc Toan and Lieutenant-General Cao Van Khanh held on top of a tank.

Nguyen Thi Tuyet, director of the Vietnamese Women's Museum, which hosts the exhibition, said: “For those who participated in the two resistance wars against the French and Americans, and sacrificed their blood for independence and freedom of the country, it’s their love for country, and for their beloved, which is their enormous strength to overcome the harsh period.”

“Their undying love stories go along with the time that we, the subsequent generations, have admired and believed in love and the beautiful things in life even more,” she added.

To prepare for the exhibition, the museum staff travelled along the country to meet witnesses, aiming to collect memorabilia, photos and letters.

Family members of war veterans and martyrs have given their private collections to the museum. The collections include wartime letters, poetry books, and memorabilia of their fathers and grandfathers.

Museum director Tuyet said that the donations are evidence showing the public’s appreciation of the museum’s efforts in preserving and promoting historical values to future generations.

At the exhibition’s opening last Friday, visitors had a chance to meet and talk with five women, whose love stories were presented at the event. The Truong Son Trail female soldier Nguyen Thi Hong Nhan talked about her love for soldier and driver Nguyen Manh Cuong while Vu Thi Lui recalled her undying love for martyr Tran Minh Tien.  

Also at the launch, representatives of the Soldiers’ Heart Club gave the museum two books Trái Tim Người Lính Miền Trung - Tây Nguyên (The Heart of Soldiers in the Centre and Central Highlands) – a memoir of many authors, and Những Lá Thư Tình Đi Qua Chiến Tranh (The Love Letters Going Through the War) – a collection of letters of martyr Tran Minh Tien.

The exhibition – an activity to celebrate the 75th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (27 July 1947 - 27 July 2022) – is open to the public until July 31. The Vietnamese Women's Museum is at 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hanoi.

Another event dedicated to the anniversary is the exhibition Cung Trầm Tháng 7 (The July Melody of Gratitude) hosted by the Hoa Lo Prison Relic.

The exhibition introduces to the public the touching stories about revolutionary activities and the resilient spirit of patriots and revolutionists when they were jailed at the beginning of the 20th century in Hoa Lo prison, where they all later passed away.

The cruel torture they endured failed to overpower the revolutionists. Thousands of soldiers and revolutionists imprisoned by the French colonialists in Hoa Lo have steadfastly maintained their loyalty and fighting spirit for the independence and freedom of the nation.                      
 
On the opening of the exhibition last week, several former prisoners recalled the painful yet glorious days when they were standing side by side for a common purpose – to fight for the country’s freedom.

The July Melody of Gratitude will last until October 31. 

Source: Vietnam News