Exhibition on Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers and prisoners opens

The exhibition commemorates the 50th anniversary of the liberation of revolutionary soldiers imprisoned by the US-backed regime in the South (1973-2023) and the 48th anniversary of the reunification of Vietnam (April 30, 1975).

The thematic exhibition aims to educate Vietnam's young generation about the sacrifices their ancestors made for the country's independence, freedom, and peace. Photo courtesy of Hoa Lo Prison Relic

According to the organizer, the exhibition tells many moving stories about the revolutionary lives of Vietnamese patriots who were imprisoned and some died in jails across the country during the US war before 1975.

The "Moment of Resurrection" exhibition consists of three parts: "The Opening of the Prison Door," "The Day of the Victorious Return," and "The Epic Poem Continues.

The first part consists of pictures of the prison and penitentiary system built by the U.S. imperialists and the government of the Republic of Vietnam after 1954. Among them, 6 prisons are considered "hell on earth", including those in Con Dao and Phu Quoc Islands, Chi Hoa (in Ho Chi Minh City), Phu Loi (Binh Duong Province), Tan Hiep (Binh Duong Province) and Thu Duc (Thu Duc City).

In these prisons, the enemy used many cruel tricks to drive the prisoners into physical and mental exile. Many soldiers died heroically as they fought resolutely against the harsh prison regime.

The space of the “Moment of Resurrection” exhibition. Photo courtesy of Hoa Lo Prison Relic

The second part titled “The victorious returning day”, consists of documents and images related to the  Agreement to End the War and Restore Peace in Vietnam.

After the agreement was signed, the exchange of inmates and political prisoners between Vietnam and the US began in February 1973. The exchanges took place at many different locations, the two most important being the ones by the Thach Han River in Quang Tri Province and Loc Ninh Airport in Loc Ninh District, Binh Phuoc Province.

The third part, entitled "The Epic Poem Continues," praises the inmates who were happy to return home after the historic signing of the Paris Peace Accords. Despite many hardships, the former prisoners did their best to study and work after their reintegration into the community.

The exhibits recall the heroic historical moments of the victorious days so that the next generation can understand and appreciate the merits and sacrifices of the revolutionary fighters who were imprisoned by the enemy, and then better understand and appreciate the value of today's peace, independence, and freedom.

The themed exhibition is open to the public in the courtyard of the Hoa Lo Prison Relic Site.