As part of a series of activities to mark 160 years since the French colonialists attacked Da Nang, and began the war to invade Viet Nam in 1858, an exhibition entitled ‘Da Nang began the anti-French resistance war during the 1858-1860 period’ is being held at the Museum of Da Nang.

A museum guide introducing visitors to stories about General Nguyen Tri Phuong, a famous general who commanded an army and civilians in fighting against French-Spanish coalition forces in 1858 - 1860.

Covering an area of only 20m² on the 2^nd floor of the museum, the exhibition space has welcomed a large number of both locals and visitors in recent days.

The exhibition features a total of over 30 documentary photos, maps, battlefield sketches and artifacts, all relating to the anti-French resistance war of Da Nang people.

In particular, the documentary photos showcase the preparation for the attack to the Dien Hai Citadel by French-Spanish coalition forces, their landing on the left bank of the Han River, an overview of their attack, the defence system of the city’s army and civilians under the command of General Nguyen Tri Phuong, army bases occupied by the enemy, and others.

Also on display at the exhibition are mock-ups of battlefields on 1 September 1858, 8 May 1859, 15 September 1859, and 18 November 1859.

Twenty-two-year-old Le Nguyen Giang Chau residing in Thanh Khe District’s Xuan Ha Ward underlined the significance of the exhibition space in helping her, and other young people, understand more about the anti-French resistance war of people of Da Nang.

Mr Nguyen Thanh Hau from Ha Noi said proudly that although the French and Spanish invaders boasted many destructive weapons and advanced technologies, they were also defeated by Vietnamese brave people.

Notably, a battlefield sketch during the 1858 – 1860 period attracted a lot of attention from visitors to the exhibition.

The battlefield sketch was painted by Vietnamese people, but it was then collected by the French-Spanish coalition forces on 15 September 1859. From the sketch, visitors can visualise Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers’ fierce fight against the enemy.