Hanoi is preparing various activities to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the “Dien Bien Phu in the Air” victory.

Local soldiers practice and stay alert to potential US bombing attacks in late December 1972. Source: Vietnam News Agency

The activities include the decoration of streets and roads, central areas of districts and communes, office buildings, and crowded areas in the city with banners, graphics, photos, and pictures of the victory.

The city authorities will visit a number of veterans in the army and police, and some Hanoi-based military units. In addition, the city will visit and give presents to families and individuals that had contributed to the victory, especially those directly participating in the campaign.

Hanoi will also repair historical sites and monuments to promote the victory, especially the B52 Victory Museum and the B52 victory monument on Kham Thien Street. In addition, a contest on the campaign will be held for students, officials, and armed forces in the city to partake.

Moreover, officials will meet with veterans, officials of the Air Force – Air Defense, people, and officials of the country and Hanoi that were present and fought hard in those 12 days of December 1972. There will be a meeting between the veteran and ex-officials with young generations about the campaign.

The city authorities may also organize an exhibition at the B52 Victory Museum and some mobile exhibitions for local people and students, as well as sports and art performance events to celebrate the victory.

The city high-ranking officials will also honor and pay tributes to the people and soldiers that lost their lives during the campaign at the monument on Kham Thien Street, Dong Da District, and organize a celebration ceremony.

“Dien Bien Phu in the Air” victory refers to the air defense campaign against the US bombing attacks that last 12 days from December 18 to December 29, 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 to the ground.

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