Four decades ago, on February 17,1979, the Vietnamese Party, people and army had to face a war of aggression across the entire northern border. In response to the general mobilisation order of the President, Vietnamese soldiers and people fought to protect the country’s border 

Soldiers fight back against enemy forces in Vi Xuyen district, Ha Tuyen province

Soldiers at Ha Tuyen Front  are ready to fight against enemy forces to protect the nation

Tanks of the enemy are destroyed by Vietnamese troops in Cao Bang

Prefabricated houses of workers in Lao Cai town, Hoang Lien Son province (Lao Cai province now) are damaged by enemy explosives

Houses of people in Cuong Thinh hamlet, Phuong Tien commune, Vi Xuyen district, Ha Tuyen province are devastated by enemy forces

Two Danish journalists are at Cuong Thinh hamlet, Phuong Tien commune, Vi Xuyen district, Ha Tuyen province

Two Vietnam News Agency reporters, Minh Loc and Dinh Tran (middle) at Ha Tuyen Front

Reporter Isao Takano (with glasses) of Japanese newspaper Akahata in Lang Son town during early days of the battle. He perished on March 7,1979 on Quang Trung street, Chi Lang ward, Lang Son town

Tanks of Platoon 1, Company 2, Battalion 407 pursue the enemy in Lang Son town

Soldiers and local people in Mau Son commune, Cao Loc district, Lang Son province deliver tonnes of munitions and food to soldiers on the battlefield

Suspension bridge in Xin Man district, Ha Tuyen province is destroyed

Soldiers of Battalion X deliver bullets to Ha Tuyen

Hoang Thi Ben and her brother, whose parents were killed by the enemy in February 1979

Soldiers of Company 1, Battalion 1, Team M123 of Lang Son army defeated hundreds of enemy soldiers on Khong Ten hill on February 17-18, 1979

Boarder guard Ngo Duy Nhung rescues a child from the ruins