HCM CITY — A television series on the life of Vietnamese people and soldiers at the ancient citadel of Quang Tri during the American War is being aired on HCM City Television (HTV) this week. The four-part series is called Forty Flower Seasons in the Fiery Land of Quang Tri.

In 20-minute episodes, a group of talented directors and cameramen like Lu Hoa, Hong Son and Duc Manh recount events surrounding the battle of Quang Tri which began on June 28, 1972 and lasted 81 days and nights until September 16.

In that battle, the Army of the Sai Gon regime, backed by the US Army, used more than 382,000 tonnes of lethal ammunition with destructive capacity equivalent to almost six Hiroshima-size atomic bombs. But despite the heavy toll in terms of lives lost and injured, the courage and heroism of the freedom fighters prevailed.

Located in downtown of Quang Tri Town, the citadel is known as the Land of Heroism, where several thousand Vietnamese citizens gave up their lives for the nation.

"Through the film, we want to highlight the Vietnamese revolutionaries' remarkable spirit and work in achieving the country's freedom," said HTV Manh, who travelled with his colleagues throughout the province to talk with people who witnessed the battle.

Manh said he had his staff research the battle thoroughly before depicting it.

"We want to help young audiences understand the spirit and revolutionary cause that gives the battle of Quang Tri Battle its special place in Vietnamese history," he said.

The airing of the series was started last night on HTV9 at 8:30pm and will last for four consecutive nights. — VNS