Saigon exhibition recalls Vietnam War stories

The exhibition, Tim Lai Ky Uc (Finding Memories), features 250 photos, documents and artifacts.

The event, co-organized by the museum and management board of Hoa Lo Prison Historical Relic in Hanoi, opened Thursday at War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City.

The exhibits focus on four themes: Encountering B52, Hanoi Hilton (a nickname given to the Hoa Lo prison in the past), Coming Back Home and Building the Future.

Some of the images at an ongoing HCMC exhibition at the War Remnants Museum reflect the life of American pilots imprisoned at the Hoa Lo prison in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Dang Le

The first theme deals with the fierce battles that took place in Hanoi and northern Hai Phong City as citizens and soldiers retaliated against swarms of U.S army’s B-52 aircraft dropping bombs in December 1972, also known as the Christmas Bombing.

They also reflect the life of American pilots who were imprisoned at the Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi, which was nicknamed Hanoi Hilton Hotel, as well as efforts to overcome the consequences of war.

In 1973, after the Paris accord was signed to end the war, the Vietnamese and U.S. governments began releasing their prisoners of war. The "Coming Back Home" section of this exhibition depicts happy, emotional family reunions.

Photographs, posters and documents related to the U.S. bombing of Vietnam are on show at the Finding Memories exhibition. Photo by VnExpress/Dang Le

Some of the touching post-war stories have to do with those who supervised American pilots at the Hoa Lo prison in Hanoi.

The exhibition is an activity to celebrate the 44th anniversary of Reunification Day, and the 46th year of the last day of returning American prisoners of war in Hanoi, which happened in March 1973.

On this occasion, the management board of Hoa Lo Prison Museum have also released a photo book with the exhibited images, documents and authentic stories.

The exhibition will remain open at the War Remnants Museum on Vo Van Tan Street, Ho Chi Minh City until May. The specific closing date has not been decided.