China launched an invasion of Vietnam on February 17, 1979
Tensions between Vietnam and China increased dramatically after the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Vietnam established a military presence in Laos; strengthened its ties with the Soviet Union; and toppled the Cambodian regime of Pol Pot in 1979.
Just over a month later, Chinese forces invaded Vietnam, but were repulsed in nine days of bloody and bitter fighting. Tensions between China and Vietnam remained high throughout the next decade, and much of Vietnam’s scarce resources were allocated to protecting its border with China and its interests in Cambodia.
42 years latter (Feb 17, 1979-Feb 17, 2021), Tran Manh Thuong, a photographer unveiled the unique photos he captured on a battlefield in Cao Bang Province on Thanh Nien Newspaper.
A Chinese tank being destroyed at Ban Sat (Hoa An District in Cao Bang province), on February 17, 1979. Photo: Tran Manh Thuong/ Thanh Nien Newspaper.
Vietnamese soldiers on a Chinese tank at Ban Sat (Hoa An District in Cao Bang province), on February 17, 1979. Photo: Tran Manh Thuong/ Thanh Nien Newspaper.
A destroyed tank of People’s Republic of China at Be Trieu commune in Hoa An District of Cao Bang province, on February 18, 1979. Photo: Tran Manh Thuong/ Thanh Nien Newspaper.
On February 17, 1979, the militias fired back, blocked the invasion of the Chinese army (In this photo: the militias of Hoa An District in Cao Bang Province). Photo: Tran Manh Thuong/ Thanh Nien Newspaper.
A battlefield at Khau Chia Pass of Cao Bang Province, where Vietnamese army againsted invasion of the Chinese army. Photo: Tran Manh Thuong/ Thanh Nien Newspaper
Photos by Tran Manh Thuong/ Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper/ Translated by Vietnam Insider staff.