Brazilian President watches tank 843 that crashed into the gate of the Independence Palace

President Lula da Silva is a long-time great friend of the “Vietnam generation”, the generation that united in support of Vietnam in its struggle for liberation.

He also has deep affection and admiration for Vietnamese history, and once took to the streets to support Vietnam in the struggle for national liberation.

President Lula da Silva and the delegation listened to an introduction to the exhibition themes: Fighting against French colonialism to gain national independence (1858 - 1945); Resistance against French colonialism (1945 - 1954); Resistance against the US (1954 - 1975).

Right from the museum lobby, the President was introduced to an overview of Vietnam's history through a video. Also in the lobby, he listened to an explanation of the MiG-21 aircraft numbered 4324 on display. This aircraft participated in combat to prevent attacks by the US Air Force in North Vietnam and achieved 14 times shooting down US aircraft. In 2015, this aircraft was recognized as a national treasure.

At the exhibition booth of the historical period 1858 - 1945, the President of Brazil was introduced to the cannon of the Nguyen Dynasty used to fight the French.

He shared his admiration for the indomitable and strong spirit of the Vietnamese people - one of the most resilient peoples in the world, because Vietnam has defeated many great military powers to protect the country.

At the exhibition area about the birth of the Communist Party of Vietnam, stopping for a long time next to the photo "Nguyen Ai Quoc speaking at the Tours Congress of the French Socialist Party, December 1920", the Brazilian President asked very carefully about President Ho Chi Minh's process of finding a way to save the country.

The President also shared the event that in 1912, while working on a French ship from Vietnam, Uncle Ho landed at the port of Rio de Janeiro. He established close ties with the Brazilian labor union movement. And from this event, President Ho Chi Minh laid the foundation for the friendship and cooperation between the two countries from the beginning of the 20th century.

In November 2024, during a working trip to Brazil, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the inauguration ceremony of a memorial plaque for President Ho Chi Minh in Santa Teresa neighborhood, Rio de Janeiro city.

The Brazilian President was also introduced to an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence read by President Ho Chi Minh at Ba Dinh Square (September 2, 1945). On this occasion, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan introduced the major celebrations that Vietnam will organize this year, including the 80th anniversary of the country's founding.

At the exhibition booth for the period 1954 - 1975, President Lula da Silva listened to an introduction about the General Offensive and Uprising in the Spring of 1975.

Next to the T-54B tank numbered 843, the President wrote in the guestbook. He expressed his admiration for the resilience of the Vietnamese people in their long and arduous struggle for independence and freedom.

During the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, on April 30, 1975, tanks 390 and 843 crashed into the gate of the Independence Palace.

The Vietnam Military History Museum is one of six national museums and the first museum in the Military Museum system, established on July 17, 1956.

In 2019, the Ministry of National Defense invested in building a new Vietnam Military History Museum in Tay Mo and Dai Mo wards, Nam Tu Liem district, Hanoi.