"Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the Air": A victory of Vietnamese courage and will.

Attending the thematic session of the University's Veterans Association were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong (Vice Rector of the University), current and former leaders of the Association, representatives of the University's Trade Union Executive Committee, representatives of the leaders of faculties and functional departments, and a large number of students. Notably, the event featured a speaker, Colonel To Quang Hanh (Head of the Speakers Department, Propaganda Department, General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army, currently an officer of the Propaganda Department, Vietnam Veterans Association).
In her welcoming remarks, Associate Professor Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong emphasized: The Veterans Association is an important organization, comprising teachers who were once soldiers fighting to defend the Fatherland, and who, after peace was restored, returned to the university to continue their teaching work. Despite their graying hair and the fact that most teachers are of advanced age and their health has declined, they remain a "pioneering force," exemplary leaders in all activities, from professional work to social activities, actively participating and making significant contributions to the overall success of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Vice Principal Dang Thi Thu Huong shared: "This is an extremely meaningful activity, not only an opportunity to learn about, affirm, and honor the great value and significance of the 'Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the Air' victory in the history of Vietnam's war, but also an opportunity for the younger generation, the students of the school, to have very visual, vivid, and engaging history lessons, fostering love and pride in the glorious victories of our ancestors."  
Colonel To Quang Hanh shared: "It's been half a century since the victory of 'Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the Air,' but even today, that event still retains its value, not only as a great historical event for Hanoi but also for the Vietnamese nation, leaving behind invaluable lessons. The thematic activities of the Veterans Association of the school, like today's, are of great significance. It's an opportunity for us to review the historical meaning and magnitude of the event, discuss some issues of Vietnam-US relations in the current context; to cultivate patriotism and pride in the glorious history of our ancestors in the younger generation, and to raise awareness of the responsibility to build a peaceful and strong Vietnam."
It can be said that, in the context of the final days of 1972, the US government decided to use one of the three pillars of the American military, the symbol of US air power (the B-52 bomber), to achieve a decisive military victory and gain an advantage at the Paris Peace Conference. At that time, the US was confident of a complete victory, aiming to "send North Vietnam back to the Stone Age and force Vietnam to sign the Paris Peace Accords with favorable terms." The US mobilized an unprecedented air force since World War II (nearly 50% of its total aircraft at that time), equipped with the most modern and "invincible" equipment. Vietnam's ability to shoot down B-52s was something the US and the world could not have imagined before; it was a unique record set only in Vietnam up to that point.
With an expressive and spirited voice, Colonel To Quang Hanh enthusiastically spoke about the miracles of the Vietnamese army and people during the 12 days and nights of the Hanoi-Dien Bien Phu air battle, with incredibly vivid and convincing historical figures and evidence: There are legends written from the victory of Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air: special forces (ground forces) were able to fight against American B-52s, striking directly at Utapao airfield (an air base that the US considered impregnable). Just two intelligence soldiers of the Vietnamese special forces destroyed eight B-52s before they took off; During the 12 days and nights (from December 18 to 29, 1972), the Vietnamese army and people shot down 81 aircraft, including 34 B-52s (Hanoi alone shot down 25 B-52s), 5 F-111s, and 42 tactical aircraft of various types. The large-scale strategic bombing campaign by the US imperialists using B-52s against Hanoi, Hai Phong, Thai Nguyen, and several other areas in the North, lasting 12 days and nights, ended in complete failure. It was a painful and disastrous defeat that forced the US to sit down at the negotiating table at the Paris Conference, declaring a withdrawal of troops from Vietnam. This victory was a crucial prerequisite for the Great Spring Victory of 1975, the complete liberation of the South, and the reunification of the country.
Colonel To Quang Hanh affirmed: Vietnam fought and defeated the US not with advanced modern weapons, but with the intellectual strength, courage, and bravery of its armed forces and the entire nation. In the new context, Vietnam-US relations must still conform to the general trends of the modern world, but generations must never forget the sacrifices and bloodshed of generations of our ancestors in order to have appropriate and flexible approaches.
In his closing remarks, Associate Professor Pham Cong Nhat, on behalf of the University's Veterans Association, thanked Colonel To Quang Hanh: "Through the talk, Colonel To Quang Hanh brought an incredibly exhilarating atmosphere to the extremely fierce yet heroic moments of the nation's history during the 12 days and nights at the end of 1972. Not only did he provide up-to-date, relevant, and engaging historical information with insightful analysis, but he also conveyed to the listeners a deep sense of pride in the glorious achievements of our ancestors..." Associate Professor Pham Cong Nhat expressed his hope to receive Colonel To Quang Hanh's continued support in many of the Association's activities in the future.