A photo of President Ho Chi Minh awarding medals to distinguished soldiers after the Dien Bien Phu victory. — Photos petrotimes.vn

HA NOI (VNS) — The 70th anniversary of Viet Nam's military force is being commemorated by holding an exhibition in downtown Ha Noi, which showcases as many as 300 items recording the force's development.

The exhibition, titled Heroic Army Force – Glorious Tradition, features photos, papers, and other items that reflect the 70-year development of the force, which has been serving the country from December 22, 1944 to December 22, 2014.

Possessions of hero Cu Chinh Lan are displayed at the exhibition.

The exhibit focuses on four topics. One topic is the birth of the Viet Nam People's Army, featuring the August Revolution in 1945 and the country's resistance against the French occupation, which was ended by the Dien Bien Phu Victory in 1954. Another topic is the development of the army during the American war, which ended in 1975. The army's contributions in protecting the country since 1975 is showcased as well. Rounding up the four main topics is the display featuring the high honours given to the People's Army by the State and the People.

The objects include items that are being introduced to the public for the first time, such as the possessions of Hoang Sam, the former head of the Armed Propaganda Brigade for the Liberation of Viet Nam – the previous name of the Viet Nam People's Army. The belongings of military heroes, Tran Can, Cu Chinh Lan and Hung Sinh, who fought during the Dien Bien Phu campaign are included in the exhibit as well.

The exhibition will be held at Viet Nam's Military History Museum, 28A Dien Bien Phu Street, until January 1, 2015. — VNS