Vietnam war
The Vietnam war is one of the biggest conflicts of the second half of the twentieth century. The Vietnam war claimed many lives and remains a dark spot in the history of the country, associated with many terrible memories. The Vietnam war is still very fresh in the memory of the Vietnamese, since t ended only 40 years ago (the 40th anniversary of the victory was celebrated on April 30, 2015!).
Vietnam war: brief history
The war in Vietnam emerged gradually. In the middle of twentieth century, the United States of America fought to preserve the zones of influence in the world. Due to dissatisfaction with the actions of Americans in Vietnam a guerrilla war began on the south of the country. In 1964-1965, the US troops entered the territory of Vietnam. The Americans had a plan to suppress the liberation movement (it was called the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam) and then destroy the communist regime in the North. A systematic bombardment by aviation forces took place there.
The USSR declared that it would assist Vietnam in the struggle for freedom. Modern fighters, anti-aircraft guns and missiles appeared in Vietnam thanks to the cooperation with the Soviet Union. In addition to the supply of military equipment, a lot of attention was paid to the training of military pilots and rocketeers. At the same time, the Soviet troops never entered the territory of Vietnam, and the arms of Americans surpassed the military power of Vietnam.
The Vietnamese managed to survive thanks to the guerrilla war, despite the technical superiority of the enemy army. Many people know about the network of Cu Chi tunnels, located in the South of Vietnam near Saigon. Narrow passages did not allow large American soldiers to squeeze into the manholes. And even if they managed to get into the tunnel, they were trapped by a lot of clever (and, I must say, rather cruel) traps.
In 1968, bilateral negotiations to end the Vietnam war began in Paris. But it was really hard to reach any agreement, and even a few years later, in 1972, the bombings were resumed by the Americans. The peace agreement was finally signed in 1973. Military operations in the country continued, but in 1975 the capital of South Vietnam, Saigon (now this city is renamed Ho Chi Minh City) capitulated. One more year later, the Northern and Southern parts of Vietnam united and formed a single state, called the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Vietnam war: memory of the past
A at the moment you can study the Vietnam war not only by books or eyewitness accounts. You can take a tour of the Cu Chi tunnels. One of the manholes has been reconstructed for tourists. It was expanded and you can go down and walk through a small piece of a complex maze built by Vietnamese guerrillas.
There is a Museum dedicated to the war in Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City. The photographs hanging on the walls of this Museum depict the horror and pain of the war. You can hardly call the visit here “entertainment”, but is worth going to the Museum to learn about the heroism and resilience of the people of this small country.
It’s important to add that, despite the horrors of the most recent war in Vietnam, he locals have not lost their optimism. The country is developing, and people keep the faith in the best in their souls. If you come to Vietnam, you will see it for yourself.
Currently, Vietnam is a peaceful country with beautiful nature, warm sea and smiling locals.
