Photos and objects on the Dien Bien Phu in the Air victory displayed

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The exhibition displays 200 photos and objects relating to the Trench of the Command Post of Operations aka T1 bunker and the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in the Air.

In particular, visitors will have chance to explore for the first time the photos and artifacts of historical witnesses who worked at the Trench of the Command Post of Operations aka T1 bunker as leaders, officers and soldiers, during the 12 days and nights of this campaign.

Besides, during the exhibition, the organizing board  will also hold talks with military history experts and witnesses. 

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Director of the Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center stated that, the exhibition “Battle of Dien Bien Phu in the Air and the Trench of the Command Post of Operations aka T1 bunker” will help Vietnamese people review the glorious historical tradition of the troops and people of Hanoi.  

Additionally, the event aims to highlight the important role of the Trench of the Command Post of Operations aka T1 bunker as well as the great contributions of who participated in the “Dien Bien Phu in the Air” Campaign, in late 1972. 

It was the last US military campaign during the war and lasted for 12 days from December 18 to 29.

Over 12 days and nights, the Hanoi air defence grids and all across the north of Vietnam shot down 4,181 airplanes, including 34 expensive B52s, referred to as flying fortresses, which had their own radar bomb navigation systems with well-trained crews.

Linebacker II was to be a "maximum effort" bombing campaign to "destroy major target complexes in the Hanoi and Hai Phong areas, which could only be accomplished by B-52s”, according to military experts.

It saw the largest heavy bomber strikes launched by the US Air Force since the end of World War II.

But the people of Hanoi triumphed over the heavy bombardment, although more than 1,600 civilians were killed and three Mic 21 were shot down. The Hanoians had named the 12 day and night campaign their Dien Bien Phu in the Air, recalling their decisive victory over the French in 1954.

The victory under Hanoi skies prompted the US to return to the negotiating table in Paris and finally sign the peace accords that they had previously refused to.