Two "legendary" treasures of the 20th century

Nearly two months after being recognized as national treasures, the map depicting the Ho Chi Minh Campaign and the Mig-21 aircraft that shot down 14 American planes of various types were presented to a large audience at the ceremony to receive the title of National Treasure at the Vietnam Military History Museum (Hanoi, morning of March 10).

These are 2 out of 12 artifacts recognized by the Prime Minister as National Treasures in the 3rd batch (2015). Among them, the Mig 21 aircraft, serial number 4324, was manufactured in the former Soviet Union and assigned to the 371st Air Force Division of Vietnam from January 1967. For 12 consecutive months afterward, this aircraft was used by 9 Vietnamese pilots, shooting down a total of 14 American aircraft of various types, between April 30th and December 17th. Notably, 8 out of 9 pilots who flew this aircraft were awarded the title of Hero of the Armed Forces, including names that have become legends such as Pham Thanh Ngan, Nguyen Van Coc, and Nguyen Hong Nhi...

The Mig 4324 aircraft is on display at the museum.

Present at the ceremony on the morning of March 10th, Lieutenant General Pham Thanh Ngan, a pilot who used this aircraft to shoot down two F105s, stated: The Mig 21 with serial number 4324 was among the best quality Mig aircraft in Vietnam at that time. And, the Vietnamese Air Force called it the "14-star" aircraft – because, according to the tradition of the Air Force, each achievement of the aircraft was marked with a red star painted on its fuselage.

The second most "starred" aircraft is the Mig 21, serial number 4326, with 13 victories, currently on display at the Air Defense and Air Force Museum. It is known that since the end of 1974, the Mig 21, serial number 4324, has been transferred to the Vietnam Military Museum for safekeeping.

Regarding the treasure "Determined to Win the Ho Chi Minh Campaign," this map was kept by General Van Tien Dung since 1975 and donated to the museum in 1990, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of national reunification. This is the only map that General Dung - Commander of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign - and Political Commissar of the Campaign - Pham Hung - jointly approved at the Ho Chi Minh Campaign Command Headquarters (located in Loc Ninh) on April 22, 1975.

Measuring 185cm in length and 170cm in width, this map of South Vietnam was drawn by the Operations Room of the Campaign and submitted to the Campaign Command for approval. Over time, despite some fraying and tearing at the folds, the map still retains the original hand-drawn red arrows (marking the attack directions of the various army units into Saigon) and the signatures of the campaign commanders.

According to thethaovanhoa.vn