The newly constructed Vietnam Military History Museum, located in Nam Tu Liem district, Hanoi, is set to open to the public on November 1. The museum, featuring a modern design and versatile spaces, will display over 150,000 artifacts and four National Treasures.

The museum, built on the borders of Tay Mo and Dai Mo wards, started construction in 2019 and has now reached completion. The museum’s four floors and basement span a construction area of 23,198 square meters. 

Outdoors, two wings display various military weapons and equipment such as 85mm cannons, 57mm anti-aircraft guns, PT67 tanks, MiG 17 fighter jets, and SU22 aircraft.

The main building has a total floor area of 64,640 square meters, with an overall height of 35.8 meters. The most distinctive feature of the museum is the 45-meter-tall Victory Tower, topped with a star-shaped structure.

The museum’s Victory Tower stands 45 meters tall, featuring a star at its peak.

Symbolizing the aspiration for peace, the wings of the building are adorned with images of tree branches, green buds, and doves rising from the wreckage of aircraft.

Another significant feature is the water drop symbol, reflected in mirrors portraying Vietnam’s long history of nation-building and defense, from the era of the Hung Kings to the 20th century. The symbol reinforces the idea that for thousands of years, the Vietnamese people have strived for peace, enduring hardship and sacrifice to achieve independence, freedom, and happiness.

Upon entering the main lobby, visitors are immediately greeted by the "Silver Swallow" MiG-21 fighter jet. During the resistance war against the U.S., nine pilots flew this aircraft model, participating in 69 sorties, engaging the enemy 22 times, and successfully shooting down 14 U.S. aircraft. The jet was recognized as a National Treasure on January 14, 2015.

The museum currently preserves over 150,000 artifacts, including four National Treasures. The exhibition areas are divided into six themes. 

Theme 1: The Early Days of Nation Building and Defense  
Theme 2: Defending Independence from 939 to 1858  
Theme 3: Resistance Against French Colonialism, National Independence from 1858 to 1945  
Theme 4: Resistance Against French Invasion, 1945 - 1954  
Theme 5: The Resistance Against the U.S. from 1954 to 1975  
Theme 6: Nation Building and Defense from 1976 to Present

With modern design and multiple functions, visitors here can explore interactive spaces and experience the struggle for national independence by the Vietnam People's Army, from the establishment of the Van Lang State to the present.

Here, there are 3D mapping technology models, information search screens, media photo archives, automatic audioguide narrations, and QR codes for artifact information next to captions and images, along with more than 60 videos introducing campaigns, battles, and historical figures.

A model image of the Dien Bien Phu basin at the exhibition area for Theme 3: Resistance Against French Colonialism, National Independence from 1858 to 1945.

A 1:1 scale model of the 60-day and night battle to defend the capital following President Ho Chi Minh’s call for the National Resistance.

In Theme 5, as soon as visitors enter, they will encounter the model of Hien Luong Bridge – a "symbol" of the division between North and South, associated with the struggle for national liberation and unification during Vietnam's resistance against the U.S. invasion.

The Zil-157 transport truck, manufactured by the Soviet Union and provided as aid to Vietnam, was used by the 102nd Transport Battalion, Station 32, Unit 559 of the Truong Son Army to transport military supplies, equipment, and weapons to the Southern battlefield during the resistance against the U.S. For displaying large equipment like this, the construction team had to position the vehicles - such as trucks, airplanes, and tanks - exactly in their designated spots before the museum walls were built.

In the National Treasures exhibition area, the prominent display includes the MiG-21 aircraft, numbered 5121, along with the launch system and missile casing of the SA-75 DVINA (SAM-2). Lieutenant General Pham Tuan, a People's Armed Forces Hero, piloted this MiG-21 to shoot down a B-52 bomber on the night of December 27, 1972.

The wreckage of the first B-52, shot down by the combat crew of Battalion 59, Missile Regiment 261 (Hanoi Air Defense Unit), on December 18, 1972, when the U.S. launched the "Dien Bien Phu in the Air" campaign. The aircraft was brought down over Chuom Field, Phu Lo Commune, Soc Son District, Hanoi.

The T-54B tank, numbered 843, from Company 4, Battalion 1, Armored Brigade 203, Second Corps, is legendary for its involvement in the liberation of Hue and Da Nang and for crashing through the side gate of the Independence Palace on April 30, 1975. In 2012, the tank was recognized by the government as a National Treasure.

The museum has completed the first phase and is scheduled to open for visitors starting from November 1, 2024.

Pham Hai - Hoang Ha