An exhibition of mementos of Vietnam’s recent resistance wars started in Hanoi on February 2, displaying 550 significant items selected from 10,000 keepsakes that were collected during a campaign launched by the General Political Department of the Vietnam People’s Army.

The items comprise war memoirs, letters, and diaries of significant historical or human interest.

The exhibition, residing at the Vietnam Military History Museum (28A Dien Bien Phu, Hanoi) until May 2010, also introduces documentation on the first 13 generals appointed by late President Ho Chi Minh.

Director of the museum Le Ma Luong said the exhibits had been collected and donated in various ways from organizations and individuals, including foreign veterans. He noted that they vividly portray the Vietnamese people’s patriotism and their tradition of a military culture imbued with humanity.

As a bonus, the museum has cooperated with a private collector, Duong Phu Hien, to display a collection of 99 ancient swords and five Dong Son kettledrums.

To help celebrate the 1000^th anniversary of Hanoi, the museum will organize an exhibition of 10 famous battles relating to the city’s history, including a 3-D depiction of the historic ‘Dien Bien Phu in the skies’ battle in December 1972.