On the morning of December 10, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper, accompanied by a Harvard University delegation, visited and worked with the National Archives Center III in Hanoi, part of the State Records and Archives Department.

Tran Viet Hoa, Director of the National Archives Center III, introduced the facility, highlighting its state-of-the-art storage system - considered the most advanced in Southeast Asia - which preserves a vast collection of invaluable documents dating back to 1945.

The center has made significant contributions by providing critical documents for political missions and scientific research. It has also hosted various exhibitions, domestically and internationally, to promote and showcase its archival materials, offering the public a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s history, culture, and society.

During the visit, the delegation viewed several national treasures, including:

A collection of drafts for the Vietnamese national emblem by artist Bui Trang Chuoc (1953–1955).

Presidential decrees signed by President Ho Chi Minh during the early days of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (1945–1946).

Personal files and memorabilia of individuals who served in the "B" battlefield during the war against the U.S., notably the records of martyr Dang Thuy Tram.

Ambassador Knapper expressed his honor at being the only U.S. ambassador to have visited both National Archives Centers in Vietnam - the National Archives Center IV in Da Lat (May 2023) and the National Archives Center III in Hanoi. He emphasized the U.S. government’s appreciation for the cooperation between the U.S. Embassy and Vietnam’s archival agencies.

“This partnership aims to deepen our understanding of the historical ups and downs shared by our two nations, ultimately benefiting our people and strengthening bilateral relations,” he remarked.

Ambassador Knapper also highlighted the significance of 2025, a milestone year marking 30 years of U.S.-Vietnam diplomatic relations, 50 years since Vietnam's reunification, and 80 years of Vietnam's National Day.

“This is a time not only to reflect on the past but to look forward to what we hope to achieve together in the coming decades,” he said.

Dr. Anthony James Saich, a professor of international relations at Harvard Kennedy School and director of the "Unexplored Vietnam War Legacy" project, praised the archive center's preservation efforts. He noted its accessibility to the public, enabling greater engagement with its invaluable materials.

The project, undertaken over many years, consolidates data from various wartime participants. It has established formal cooperation between the U.S. and Vietnam to share verified information about Vietnamese martyrs and missing soldiers.

Dr. Saich recounted a visit to Nghe An, the hometown of President Ho Chi Minh, where his team donated a military notebook from the Central Highlands B3 battlefield to the provincial museum, expressing admiration for President Ho Chi Minh.

On December 9, Vietnam’s National Steering Committee 515 (Ministry of National Defense) and the U.S. Embassy jointly handed over wartime memorabilia to the families of eight Vietnamese martyrs and veterans.

During his visit, Ambassador Knapper was gifted replicas of Ho Chi Minh's signature by Dang Thanh Tung, Director General of the State Records and Archives Department.

Dr. Saich shared insights about the digitization of the "Unexplored Vietnam War Legacy," allowing global access to data on missing persons. With over 3 million archived documents digitized and stored in Washington, the project enables researchers to search for information by name, location, or military unit.

Tran Thuong - Thach Thao