How many U.S. planes did the soldiers and people of the North shoot down in the 'Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the Air' campaign in 1972?

How many U.S. planes did the soldiers and people of the North shoot down in the 'Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the Air' campaign in 1972?

Under Subsection 3 Section I of the Propaganda Outline issued with Guideline 160-HD/TW 2024, the information regarding the 'Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the Air' Campaign in 1972: The soldiers and people of the North shot down 81 aircraft, including 34 B52 and 5 F-111 American planes, is as follows:

Faced with the risk of failure in the "Vietnamization of the war" strategy, on April 6, 1972, the American imperialists mobilized a large air and naval force to launch a second major and more intense war against the North (Linebacker I Campaign). With bravery, ingenuity, and creativity in combat, the soldiers and people of the North fought fiercely for seven months, shooting down 654 aircraft and sinking and burning 125 American warships.

In response to severe setbacks, on the night of December 18, 1972, the American imperialists recklessly launched the largest strategic air raid named “Linebacker II Campaign” against the North, focusing heavily on Hanoi and Hai Phong. Once again, the soldiers and people of the North bravely fought, defeating the enemy's strategic raid; shot down 81 aircraft, including 34 B-52s and 5 F-111s. Facing significant losses and without achieving their objectives, the American imperialists were forced to declare a halt to bombing in the North from north of the 20th parallel and resumed negotiations in Paris. The world public referred to this as the “Dien Bien Phu in the air.”

In Vietnam, what is the grade at which the History curriculum covers the "Dien Bien Phu in the Air" campaign?

Under the general education program for History issued with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the specific provisions are as follows:

The content of the "Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the Air" Campaign in 1972 is part of the 12th-grade History curriculum in Vietnam. It is included in the resistance war against the U.S., for national salvation (1954 - 1975).

How many U.S. planes did the soldiers and people of the North shoot down in the 'Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the Air' campaign in 1972? (Image from the Internet)

What are the perspectives on developing the 12th-grade History curriculum in Vietnam?

Under the General Education Program for History issued with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the specific provisions are as follows:

The History curriculum fully embraces perspectives, goals, and general orientations on building and developing the public education curriculum stated in the overall program, especially focusing on developing students' qualities and competencies, while emphasizing several perspectives as follows:

[1] Scientific and Modern

The History curriculum helps students access history through the application of modern achievements in historical science and educational science. To be specific:

- The curriculum thoroughly comprehends the Party’s leadership line and views of the Communist Party and the State of Vietnam;

- The program values foundational principles of historical science, ensuring respect for historical truth and appreciating the multi-faceted and rich nature of history; presenting and interpreting history objectively and comprehensively;

- The curriculum aims to guide and encourage students to independently explore and discover history according to historical science principles, thereby helping students develop historical and critical thinking;

- The curriculum contributes to building the ability to scientifically analyze and evaluate historical figures, events, and processes, enabling students to discern historical rules and lessons and apply them to reality.

[2] Systematic and Fundamental

The main developmental axis of the History curriculum is a system of themes and learning modules revolving around fundamental world history issues, Southeast Asian regional history, and Vietnamese history to enhance and expand the general historical knowledge students have learned at the secondary level. To be specific:

- The historical themes and modules in the program are systematic and fundamental, starting from the need to develop competencies and historical education requirements for each grade level;

- The curriculum’s knowledge components ensure logical connections (including longitudinal and transverse relationships, interactions between Vietnamese history, regional history, and world history...);

- The curriculum ensures students access basic historical knowledge across political, economic, social, cultural, and ideological fields; it helps develop students’ lifelong self-directed historical learning abilities and the capacity to apply this knowledge about history, culture, and society in the world, region, and Vietnam to real life.

[3] Practical and Hands-on

The History curriculum emphasizes hands-on historical content that connects history with real-life situations. To be specific:

- The program recognizes practical engagement as an important content and a useful, effective tool to develop students’ competencies;

- The curriculum increases time for practical activities; diversifies forms of practice through educational formats such as group activities, and self-directed learning; learning in class, museums, in the field; learning through projects, heritage...;

- The curriculum is designed to fit with the country’s and each locality's economic and societal conditions. The curriculum provides flexibility allowing adjustments suitable for localities and student groups while maintaining the national standard for public education, aligning with regional and global standards.

[4] National and Humanistic

The History curriculum helps students correctly perceive national traditional values, forms, and develops admirable qualities of Vietnamese people alongside universal values of global citizens. To be specific:

- The curriculum helps students have a correct understanding of patriotism and the progressive national spirit of the Vietnamese people, the country's and nation's international position throughout historical periods, aiming to build genuine national pride, recognizing both strengths and limitations in the historical legacy of the nation;

- The curriculum aids students in developing humanistic values, community spirit, anti-prejudice, and discrimination on social, cultural, ethnic, and religious grounds; directing students towards values of tolerance, compassion, respect for differences, and equality among ethnicities, communities, genders, and societal groups; encouraging peace, reconciliation, unity, and cooperation;

- The curriculum helps students maintain a positive, active attitude on issues related to resource conservation, environmental protection, and sustainable development while striving for a peaceful world and a progressive, transparent, just, and civilized society.

[5] Open and Interconnected

The History curriculum is open and interconnected. To be specific:

- The curriculum’s knowledge and skill structure in History allows students to connect and interlink with knowledge and skills in other subjects such as Geography, Literature, Civic Education, National Defense, and Security Education...;

- The curriculum grants localities and schools the initiative to develop educational plans suited to local conditions, creating space for teachers to implement the policy of "one curriculum, many textbooks"; emphasizing coordination between school, family, and society in history education;

- The curriculum maintains a high level of integration in lower grades, gradually differentiating in higher grades; creating close links between educational levels, grade levels within each level, and connections to vocational education programs and higher education curricula.