VietNamNet Bridge – The four statues of Ly Thuong Kiet, Tran Hung Dao, Quang Trung and Vo Nguyen Giap are now on display at the Museum of Military History of Vietnam in Hanoi, attracting public attention.

The four statues.

Ly Thuong Kiet, Tran Hung Dao, Quang Trung and General Vo Nguyen Giap are the first generals who are selected for the statue making project named “Vietnam Legends.”

The project was set up 3 years ago with the help of many organizations and leading experts in the fields of history, culture, art and military such as Professor Vu Khieu, Professor Phan Huy Le, historian Le Van Lan, the family of General Vo Nguyen Giap, General Vo Nguyen Giap’s assistants, American journalist Lady Borton and others.

As a member of the project’s advisory council, Lieutenant General Nguyen Huy Hieu said that the four selected generals are the most famous among thousands of well-known generals of Vietnam. The statues of other generals like Ngo Quyen, Le Loi ... will be launched in the next phases.

Historian Duong Trung Quoc said that making statues of well-known generals of Vietnam is a way to educate the future generations about the country’s history.

The statues are 1.24 m high and they are made from many materials like gold, silver, copper, composite and wood.

The statues of King Quang Trung and Tran Hung Dao copy the original statues on the Dong Da Hill in Hanoi and a historical relic in Nam Dinh province. The statues of Ly Thuong Kiet and General Vo Nguyen Giap are created by sculptor Tran Van Thuc.

According to Lieutenant General Nguyen Huy Hieu, the statues of Quang Trung, Tran Hung Dao and Ly Thuong Kiet well express the look and the spirit of these talented generals.

However, he suggested that the statue of General Vo Nguyen Giap should be changed a little. The current statue has an outstretched arm but it should be replaced with the fist to manifest the great general’s assertive style.

The four statues will be exhibited at the Museum of Military History of Vietnam until February 24.

Ly Thuong Kiet (1019–1105) was a general during the Ly Dynasty. He penned what is considered the first Vietnamese declaration of independence and is regarded as a Vietnamese national hero.

Tran Hung Dao (1228–1300) was the Supreme Commander of Vietnam during the Tran Dynasty. He commanded the Dai Viet armies that repelled three major Mongol invasions in the 13th century. His triple victories over the mighty Mongol Yuan Dynasty under Kublai Khan are considered among the greatest military feats in world history. His military brilliance and prowess are reflected in many warfare treatises that he authored. Tran Hung Dao is regarded as one of the most accomplished military tacticians in history. 

Nguyen Hue, also known as Emperor Quang Trung (1753-1792), was the second emperor of the Tay Son Dynasty, reigning from 1788 until 1792. He was also one of the most successful military commanders in Vietnam's history. Nguyen Hue and his brothers, together known as the Tay Son brothers, were the leaders of the famous Tay Son rebellion. As rebels, they conquered Vietnam, overthrowing the imperial Later Le Dynasty and the two rival feudal houses of the Nguyen in the south and the Tiịnh in the north.

T. Van