Deputy Permanent Secretary of the City Party Committee Nguyen Thi Tuyen on the weekend visited Hanoi military units, families, and individuals in Hoang Mai District who had contributed to the victory in the air battle which is named “Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu in the air” that took place 50 years ago.

Standing Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Thi Tuyen congratulates the 361 Air Defense Division. Photos: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times

The visit was also paid to the 361st Air Defense Division under the Air Defense Service-Air Force, one of the architects of the battle in Hanoi. 

“Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu in the air” refers to the air defense campaign against the US bombings that last 12 days from December 18 to December 29, 1972.

The 361st Air Defense Division was established on May 19, 1965. In the 12 days and nights of December 1972, the division, together with the army and the local population, thwarted US air raids, shooting down 29 aircraft, including 25 B52 bombers, contributing to the victory.

Encouraging the officers and soldiers of the heroic 361st Air Defense Division, Tuyen reviewed the tradition and milestones of the nation's heroic history, especially the "Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu in the Air" victory.

"The victory is an opportunity to look back and remember the heroic victory of the army and the people of the capital, honoring their dedication and sacrifice," Tuyen said.

In the last days of December 1972, the whole world was astonished to see how the B-52 Stratofortress – a symbol of the might of the US air force – was destroyed in the skies over Hanoi. The victory was considered one of Vietnam's greatest feats in the 20th century.

Tuyen visited Lieutenant General Nguyen Duc Soat in Hoang Mai District. He is a hero of the People's Armed Forces, former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, and former Commander of the Air Defense - Air Force.

Tuyen presents gifts to Lieutenant General Nguyen Duc Soat.

He is one of the legends of the Vietnamese Air Force, who shot down six American planes. He was awarded the title Hero of the People's Armed Forces in 1973 at the age of 27 and was honored with many noble orders and medals by the Party and State.

The delegation also visited Pham Thi Vien, a former Mai Dong Mechanical Factory self-defense woman. During the 12 days and nights campaign in December 1972, Vien and her team shot down an American F-111 aircraft.

Tuyen expressed her gratitude for the contributions of the war veterans to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation. 

Standing Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Thi Tuyen presents gifts to Pham Thi Vien.

In the battle in 1972, Hanoi was one of the worst-hit areas during the campaign, with more than 1,600 people being killed and millions of houses being destroyed.

But the military forces and people of Hanoi fought hard against the strong gun power, shooting down nearly 4,200 US planes, including 34 B52s.

Local experts said the victory "Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air" demonstrated the heroic mettle, courage, and wisdom of the people, it was an epic written with the will and strength of the Vietnamese.

That glorious victory meant the failure of the largest strategic aerial bombardment since World War II, which forced the US government to declare the cessation of bombing over North Vietnam. This was followed by the signing of the Paris Peace Accords, which ended the war and restored peace in Vietnam, an important turning point for Vietnamese troops and people to win the war of resistance against the US invaders.