Military artist Giang Van Khich with his oil-on canvas painting Tuổi 20. VNS Photo Nguyen Binh

The exhibition showcases 58 artworks including paintings and sculptures, made by living and dead artists who joined the national resistance against various invading forces.

Military artist Giang Van Khich was moved to see a painting he drew about 40 years ago exhibited.

The oil-on canvas painting entitled Tuổi 20 (Our Glorious Life at 20 Years Old) is the artist's self portrait as a young soldier.

"It's great to see the painting again," said Khich. "I drew the painting in 1979 after I went field trip with fine arts students to the northern province of Lang Son where China's offensive started with a series of armed attacks on six northern provinces."

Just three days after China pulled back its army at the end of March, 1979 Khich went to Lang Son and stayed there for three months.

The painting portrays a soldier who looks very youthful and strong in his army fatigues and carrying a gun.

"During my time in the border province I saw the hardship soldiers suffer. They train every day to be ready to fight for national protection.

"This is the first time I have had the chance to see my painting since the museum bought it. After 40 years, my view on the painting is different but it is really emotional," he said.

Born in Hanoi in 1943, Khich joined the military in 1965 and joined the Border Guard Officer School. He was gifted at painting from when he was small.

He studied at Vietnam Fine Arts University from 1973 to 1978. He has painted about 400 paintings during his career which are mainly themed on border guard soldiers.

He has participated in group exhibitions in Vietnam and France.

The exhibition also displays paintings about navy soldiers and relations between citizens and soldiers.

"Some of the artworks depict quiet moments that are rare in war time," said Nguyen Anh Minh, the museum director at the exhibition opening ceremony.

A sculpture by artist Nguyen Thi Kim. VNS Photo Truong Vi

"The exhibition is a chance for young generation to get to know about glorious tradition of the Vietnam People's Army. The army is from people, for people and by people."

The paintings were made by artists from different generations including artists from Indochina Fine Arts College; artists from the national resistance against the French and the American and artists from national unification.

The exhibition runs until December 27 at 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. VNS

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