An old soldier with a treasure of memories

VietNamNet Bridge – A small war remnants museum of veteran Nguyen Manh Hiep, which is located in Phu Thuong Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi, was established to show deep gratitude to people who sacrificed their youth and lives for national independence.

Veteran Nguyen Manh Hiep introducing the artifacts in the museum (Credit: vov)

Covering an area of only 100 square metres in his house, the museum is arranged neatly, displaying thousands of artifacts related to the two resistance wars against the French and Americans.

The objects from the Binh Tri Thien battlefield (now Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue) where veteran Nguyen Manh Hiep lived and took part in the fight against the American imperialism, are displayed in a large area of the museum.

The middle room features an altar of President Ho Chi Minh covered with flowers, fruits and incense.

The veteran has also carefully preserved and showcased the personal belongings of not only Vietnamese soldiers, but their enemies during the wartime including drinking glasses, iron bowls, backpacks, soldier’s hats and mosquito nets.

Visitors to the museum have a chance to learn more about Vietnam’s resistance wars and see shells of bombs, guns, artillery and parachutes of the US army.

Letters to the frontlines were also donated to Hiep to keep in the museum, bringing about indescribable emotions among visitors. Photos on the arduous struggles for national independence, along with portraits of numerous heroes and martyrs who sacrificed their lives to the cause of national liberation, remind visitors of the precious historical moments of the country.

Hiep has travelled throughout the country looking for and keeping artifacts and mementoes of the soldiers and his comrades over 30 years after national reunification (1975).

Despite difficulties in daily life, he has always kept in mind his fallen comrades, creating the motivation for him to establish the museum.

Over the recent time, the war remnants museum has become a familiar place for many veterans and people to visit, especially on special occasions, including War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27).

Nguyen Manh Hiep joined the army for the resistance war against American imperialism when he was less than 18 years old. He became a member of the 420 battalion under the 320B Division fighting on the fierce Tri Thien battlefield.

Each keepsake contains a story about the brave soldiers in the past. The everlasting memories of friendship and comradeship in war, as well as the undaunted fighting spirit and strong determination of the army and people, motivated him to come back to battlefields to collect the keepsakes.

In a fierce struggle in Hai Lang, Quang Tri in 1969, Hiep was seriously injured and treated at an army base in Quang Binh. During that time, he felt a strong attachment to his fellow soldiers.

Brigadier General Tran Minh Duc, who was also Deputy Commander of the Tri Thien Military Region, visited and presented an old blanket and hammock that gave him the strength to overcome the pain from his injuries and the determination to fulfill his ambition of collecting war artifacts and opening a museum.

At the end of last year, the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism officially decided to establish the war remnants museum of Nguyen Manh Hiep’s family after considering related dossiers, turning his dream into a reality. His quiet work during the past years shows the gratitude to his comrades who sacrificed their lives for younger generations to live in peace.

Some keepsakes in the museum:

Hiep preserves carefully the soldier’s hats which were left after his comrade laid down his life Letters to the frontlines are displayed in his museum

Nhan Dan

An old soldier with a treasure of memories

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