Award
The National External Information Service Awards
Awarded a prize in 2015 in Vietnam for articles published in Outlook Magazine.
The articles helped form the book War Site Discoveries of Vietnam.
Review
Audio book review.
Text by Lina Pham.
Lina Pham, reporter and editor at VTV4
“War Site Discoveries of Vietnam” by Virginia Morris, Lê Đỗ Huy, and Clive A. Hills is a captivating and immersive journey into Vietnam’s wartime history, offering a unique blend of personal narrative, historical insight, and first-hand experiences. Through interviews with veterans, visits to historic battlegrounds, and detailed explorations of significant yet often overlooked locations, the authors bring the country’s complex wartime history to life.
One of the book’s strengths lies in its ability to interweave the personal experiences of the authors with the broader historical narrative. Virginia Morris recounts her extensive travels across Vietnam and Laos over a period of two decades. Her encounters with war veterans and legendary figures like General Võ Nguyên Giáp, or the architect of Ho Chi Minh Trail- Lieutenant General Dong Sy Nguyen lend the book an authenticity and depth that set it apart from typical historical accounts. Morris’s journey through battle sites of Vietnam helped answer the question of how a small, seemingly under-equipped Vietnamese army was able to defeat powerful forces like the U.S. military. Along with Lê Đỗ Huy’s research expertise and Clive A. Hills’ photography, this book offers readers a multi-faceted look at a crucial period in Vietnamese history.
Each chapter is dedicated to a different war zone or battleground, from the streets of Hanoi where the August Revolution took root to the Hồ Chí Minh Trail and the base areas of the Việt Cộng. The authors offer detailed descriptions of these locations, often accompanied by maps and photographs that help situate readers in the geographic and historical context.
The Hồ Chí Minh Trail, both on land and via the sea route, receives special attention, as the authors travel along its many paths to document its significance as a lifeline for the North Vietnamese forces. This chapter, in particular, underscores the book’s theme of discovery, as the authors uncover sites that remain relatively unknown to the broader public.
A key highlight of “War Site Discoveries of Vietnam” is the personal testimonies of war veterans. These firsthand accounts are invaluable, offering perspectives from individuals who lived through the conflict and played a direct role in Vietnam’s fight for independence. These veterans’ stories are woven seamlessly into the broader historical context, providing readers with both a macro and micro view of the events that shaped modern Vietnam.
The emotional impact of the book is further heightened by the authors’ personal reflections. Morris, Hills, and Lê Đỗ Huy are not merely observers; they are active participants in the discovery process. Their emotional connection to the places they visited and the people they met is evident throughout the book, making the narrative both engaging and heartfelt.
For both casual readers and history enthusiasts, this book offers a deep and multifaceted understanding of the Vietnam War and its legacy.
Photos by Clive A. Hills