The event is part of the activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam (also known as the Paris Peace Accords) (January 27, 1973 – 2023).
The exhibition showcases more than 200 documents, photos, and items being preserved at the National Archives Centers 2 and 3, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Archives, the Vietnam National Museum of History, the U.S. Archives, Russia’s Archives, and by historical witnesses.
The exhibits give visitors an overview of the domestic and international situation and process of negotiating and signing the Paris Peace Accords. They also show the special relationship among military, political, and diplomatic fronts in the Vietnamese people's resistance war against the U.S. imperialists.
The negotiations in Paris lasted for nearly 5 years with two phases. During the bilateral negotiation from May 13 to October 31, 1968, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam demanded the U.S. to end the war from October 31, 1968 and accepted the convening of a four-party conference with the participation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam.
    |
 |
|
Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam (also known as the Paris Peace Accords) (January 27, 1973 – 2023) |
The four-party negotiation was from January 25, 1969 to January, 1973, during which the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam resolutely requested the U.S. to end the war, withdraw its troops from Vietnam, and respect the right of self-determination of the people in South Vietnam. The U.S. wanted to end the war, but demanded that the North and the U.S. simultaneously withdraw their troops and maintain the demilitarized zone and Saigon government.
After nearly 5 years with 201 public meetings, 45 high-level private meetings, 24 secret meetings, 500 press conferences, 1,000 interviews, and hundreds of rallies in support of Vietnam held, on January 27, 1973, the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam was signed. It became a milestone in the history of Vietnam and marked a great development in the diplomatic front and Vietnam’s revolution. The U.S. was forced to withdraw its troops, creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese people to step up the Southern liberation and national reunification struggle.
The exhibition was a practical activity to promote values of archives and enhance the efficiency of archival materials, contributing to educating the spirit of resilience, indomitability, patriotism, love of independence and freedom.
Translated by Tran Hoai