On the morning of April 20, visitors were drawn to 100 sculptures and installations on display at the exhibition "From the Victory of Bach Dang to the Great Victory of April 30, 1975," held at Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
The exhibition showcases artworks by artist Le Huu Hieu, featuring sculptures ranging from 2 to 6 meters in height, spread across more than 2,000 square meters. According to the artist, the concept took 10 years to develop and two years to bring to life. His goal is to reimagine and honor victories in Vietnam's history.
Hieu, 43, also known by his artist name Henry Le, is recognized for his style that blends surrealism and expressionism, using diverse materials. He has held exhibitions both in Vietnam and internationally. In 2024, he became the first Vietnamese artist invited to the 60th Venice Biennale, one of the most significant events in the global contemporary art scene.
A highlight of the exhibition is the installation of the Bach Dang stake field and an inverted tank model. The tank, modeled after the M24 Chaffee, originally provided by the U.S. to French forces in 1953 and now stationed in Muong Thanh Field, Dien Bien Province, is recreated at full scale using iron and composite, weighing about three tons. It evokes the memory of the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954, when Vietnamese fighters won a battle against the French, which helped end French rule in Indochina and started the path to Vietnam's independence.
"This work is striking. Everyone I saw at the exhibition found it unique," said Phuong Thao, 40, after taking family photos with the installations.
About 30 stakes, crafted from eucalyptus wood harvested near the upper Bach Dang River, stand 5.6 to 9 meters tall, with a combined weight of roughly 60 tons.
Each stake bears Sino-Vietnamese characters script excerpts from the "Proclamation to the Officers". It was a speech written by General Tran Hung Dao (1228–1300) to inspire his soldiers to be brave and protect their country from invaders.
Atop the stakes are carvings of the phrase "Sat That" (Kill the Mongols), symbolizing strength watching over future generations. The text is painted in red lacquer and the stakes are finished with lacquer techniques.
These stakes represent the 1288 Battle of Bach Dang, during the third Mongol invasion of the Tran Dynasty (1225–1400). Under the command of Tran Hung Dao, Vietnamese forces used tidal knowledge to plant underwater stakes and destroy the Mongol fleet on the Bach Dang River (modern-day Quang Ninh Province - Hai Phong City), marking one of Vietnam's most celebrated military triumphs.
Nearby, a lacquer painting of the "Proclamation to the Officers" also draws attention for its scale. The artwork measures 3.8 meters in height and 9.5 meters in length, composed of 18 joined panels.
"The Proclamation to the Officers", written by Tran Hung Dao around 1284 before the second Mongol invasion, is a stirring call to arms. It emphasizes patriotism and the spirit of national defense, and is hailed as a literary masterpiece of Vietnam's medieval period.
According to Hieu, the use of metal suggests indomitable strength, while the scale signifies the sacrifices made by past generations.
Visitors to Nguyen Hue Walking Street wave national flags as they pose for photos with the artworks.
The exhibition runs from April 19 to 25, and is open to the public free of charge.
Visitors can also enjoy a variety of events in the surrounding area, including fireworks displays, musical performances, military parades, and cannon salutes, as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of Vietnam's reunification.
