Nearly 300 images, documents, and artifacts are on display at the Vietnam Military History Museum, highlighting the development, combat history, and accomplishments of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA). This exhibition celebrates 35 years of the All-People National Defense Day and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the VPA.

The "Heroic Army – Strong National Defense" exhibition, held at the Vietnam Military History Museum, features three thematic sections: "The Birth of the Revolutionary Army"; "Decisive Victory for National Independence"; "Strong National Defense to Protect the Homeland"

The displayed materials, many of which are being shown for the first time, include invaluable historical artifacts preserved by the museum and military units across the country. Among them are: Five Gold Star Medals awarded by the National Assembly, the State, and the Government to the VPA; Certificates and First-Class Military Merit Medals presented by President Ho Chi Minh to the Liberation Army, the Southern Uprising Force, and the Bac Son Guerrilla Force in 1948.

Heroic Unit Flag with 154 medals and awards granted by the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam to Special Forces Unit 367, displayed in the section "Decisive Victory for National Independence."

Recoilless rifles (DKZB, DKZ), heavy and light machine guns from Vietnam’s prolonged resistance wars, either utilized by the VPA or captured from enemies between 1964 and 1975.

Exhibits also include significant weaponry used in Vietnam’s wars, such as:

A ship’s steering wheel used by Brigade 125 to defend the Spratly Islands in March 1988.

A 105mm artillery shell casing used by Quang Ninh Province’s artillery regiment to defend the northern border at Mong Cai in February 1979.

A 122mm shell casing used by Regiment 68 to support infantry operations in Lang Son during the same period.

A standout feature of the exhibition is the modern defense equipment, particularly the UAV-BXL.01, a locally developed combat drone created by Factory Z131 under the General Department of Defense Industry.

The UAV-BXL.01 is a quadcopter designed as a suicide combat drone equipped with a shaped-charge warhead. It is capable of destroying targets such as tanks, armored vehicles, self-propelled artillery, radar stations, and other armored technical equipment with static armor thicknesses of up to 250mm.

The 73mm SPG-9-T2 anti-tank gun (left) and the 9II-117M1 launcher model (right). The 73mm anti-tank gun is designed to destroy tanks, armored vehicles, and enemy forces hidden in fortified positions made of reinforced concrete. It was researched and manufactured by Factory Z125 under the General Department of Defense Industry.

The model of the Naval Command Headquarters (Hong Bang District, Hai Phong City).

The display section showcasing the achievements of the peacekeeping forces under the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Huy Hieu was moved to attend the exhibition "Heroic Army - Strong National Defense." He shared: "Today’s People’s Army inherits and upholds the tradition of building and defending the nation, and must always maintain this with all its intellect, culture, and patriotism. Especially, the younger generation must lead in science and technology, advance technical development, and constantly innovate and reinvent themselves to keep pace with the progress of history and the era."

Thach Thao