Viet Nam News

HÀ NỘI — The noble sacrifices of Vietnamese wars heroes and martyrs, who shed blood for national freedom and independence, are being honoured at an exhibition that recently opened at Hỏa Lò Prison Museum in downtown Hà Nội.

Titled Thép Nơi Ngục Lửa (Steel in Prison), the exhibition is hosted by the museum to celebrate the 70th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day on July 27.

It is divided into sub-sections, displaying precious photos, historical documents and replica of prisons, which have been of significance during different phases of the country, as along with presenting the lifelong struggle of many revolutionary soldiers for freedom.

Intrigued: The exhibition gathers lots of foreigners. — VNS Photo Đoàn Tùng

In particular, photos that delved into history and used to shake the whole Indochina are being exhibited in a replica of a prison within the sub-section Khát Vọng Tự Do (Desire for Freedom), showcasing the incredible consistency and strong will of the revolutionary soldiers in the two wars against French and American invaders.

Another highlight of the exhibition is the introduction of many Vietnamese heroic soldiers and leaders such as Nguyễn Đức Cảnh, Trần Phú and Nguyễn Văn Cừ. Despite being captured and tortured in prisons that were called “hell on earth”, they still remained loyal to the revolutionary ideology under all circumstances.

“It helps the young generations have a better understanding about their predecessors, who lost their lives during the fight for the nation’s freedom and independence”, major-general Huỳnh Đắc Hương, a representative of soldiers who were captured in prisons during the wars in Hà Nội, said.

“The exhibition also reminded me of the olden days when I was fighting in the war and reinforces my belief that the revolution by soldiers like me was righteous,” he continued.

Strife: Objects, which used to belong to a Vietnamese soldier, are displayed at the exhibition. — VNS Photo Đoàn TùngTrương Minh Tiến, vice director of Hà Nội’s Department of Culture and Sports, confirmed that the event also helped Vietnamese visitors treasure and take pride in the nation’s freedom and independence, which had come at the expense of the flesh and blood of so many predecessors.

“Young generations today, therefore, need to preserve that strong determination and enthusiasm and remember the history of the country with pride in the new era,” he added.

Struggle: Objects displayed at the exhibition. — VNS Photo Đoàn Tùng

The Steel in Prison exhibition will run until the end of September.

Hỏa Lò Prison, located on No 1 Hỏa Lò Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, was constructed by French colonialists in Hà Nội in 1896 to incarcerate opponents to French rule in Indochina. Many inmates died due to illness and maltreatment. 

The relic site welcomes more than 100,000 visitors each year, with 70 per cent coming from outside Việt Nam. — VNS