Vietnam News Agency opens a special photo exhibition about General Vo Nguyen Giap at its headquarters, 5 Ly Thuong Kiet St, Ha Noi. --VNS Photo Nguyen Khanh Chi

HA NOI (VNS) – Nguyen Phuong Mai couldn't take her eyes off a black and white portrait of General Vo Nguyen Giap in a green soldier's hat.

"I feel so close, warm and moved," the native Hanoian said. "It really touches my heart. Later today, I will take my 10-year-old son here so he can understand more about the General."

The portrait is among 50 photos depicting the life and career of the legendary General Giap that are on display in front of the Viet Nam News Agency (VNA) headquarters at 5 Ly Thuong Kiet St, Ha Noi.

They illustrate the long, illustrious career of the General, who rendered significant services to the Party and the nation during his revolutionary life spanning over 80 years.

An old man takes a close look at the General's photos.—VNA/VNS Photos

Visitors to the outdoor event can relive the resounding victories Viet Nam claimed under his leadership, such as the historical Dien Bien Phu Victory in 1954, the Ha Noi – Dien Bien Phu Victory in the Air in 1972 and the historical Ho Chi Minh campaign to liberate the south and unite the nation in 1975.

The photos also show the other side of the General, a simple, open and kind-hearted man close to both soldiers and civil citizens. Many showcase his friendly and informal meetings with high-ranking leaders from countries around the world such as the US, Venezuela, Cuba and Laos.

According to VNA leaders, the exhibit accounts for a miniscule fraction of VNA's archive, which contains thousands of photos of the General.

The photo exhibition is another demonstration that the General's personality has always drawn great public attention.—VNA/VNS Photo

"We expect the public to understand more about the hardships Viet Nam went through in the fights for national independence and freedom, as well as the General's simple daily life," said head of VNA's Photography Department Pham Tien Dung.

"We are delighted to see a huge number of visitors to the photo exhibition. Local residents, police, students and passers-by all stop for awhile to look back at the General's life. It's just another demonstration that the General's personality has always drawn great public attention.

"With this special photo exhibition, VNA would like to express its great respect for the National Hero and People's General."

The photos will be on display until Monday.— VNS