PANO- 140 photographs, 21 decrees, 23 artefacts, 3 documents and 8 books are being displayed at the exhibition “40th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Accords ” organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The exhibition opened on Jan. 23 in Hanoi in the presence of former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh.

The valuable documents and exhibits recall the negotiation process towards the signing of the agreement. Some artefacts are on display for the first time, including: the original Paris Agreement on ending war and restoring peace in Vietnam; the stamp and name plate of the delegation of the Provisional Government of South Vietnam; the 2 pens used by the Vietnamese delegation to sign the accords and the International Protocol on the Recognition of the Agreement; the aluminum saucepan used to stir glue to seal the accords; a notebook which contains signatures of 10,000 Cubans on a document opposing the war conducted by the US and supporting the Vietnamese struggle for national unity and independence.

Via the exhibits, visitors can understand the panorama of the enduring struggle and the bravery, clever and resourceful mind, wisdom and firm will of Vietnamese revolutionary diplomats during negotiations, as well as the Party’s tactful combination of the 3 fronts: military, politics and diplomacy.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Phuong Nga, Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Board of the State-level Organizing Committee on activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Accords, said: “40 years have passed. Since the signing event, several Vietnamese generations have been born in peacetime and have enjoyed real peace. Some witnesses of this historic event may no longer be alive. However, the great significance and the historical lessons drawn from the negotiations can be used to serve today’s national development and defence.

It is always significant for Vietnamese people to honour the historic victory and show gratitude to our forefathers’ contribution and sacrifices, as this can promote good national traditions and bring into full play the Vietnamese heroism and mind in both national construction and defence causes. The exhibition is among a series of meaningful activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Accords.”

The exhibition will last until Jan 28th.

Here are some images from the exhibition:

Cutting inauguration ribbon at the exhibition.
Former Vice State President Nguyen Thi Binh at the event.
The bag containing documents from the Paris Peace Accords.
The notebook with the signatures of 10,000 Cubans.
The 2 pens and some artefacts used by the Vietnamese delegation to sign the agreement.

Representatives of the Vietnamese and US sides, the International Supervision Board and the Quadripartite Joint Military Panel working on procedures to exchange war prisoners (1973).

Special Advisor Le Duc Tho, Foreign Minister Xuan Thuy and the American delegation at a close meeting on Sep 8th, 1968 in Paris.

Overseas Vietnamese waving the red flag with yellow star in the centre and the flag of South Vietnam’s National Liberation Front to welcome the 2nd plenary on the Paris Peace Accords (Jan 25th, 1969).

The first release of 116 US war prisoners (Feb 12th, 1973).

Translated by An Khue