Banners protesting the American war in Vietnam as well as gifts from international friends that encouraged Vietnamese people in their resistance wars are on display at an ongoing exhibition at the Vietnam National Museum of History.

Visitors examine objects and photos on international support shown for Vietnam during the American War

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the country's reunification, the exhibition showcases the solidarity and support shown for Vietnam by people in many parts of the world.

More than 150 photos and other artifacts evidencing international support for Vietnam from around 50 countries as well as organisations can be seen at the exhibit.

These include a money-saving box used during the "200 million yen to support Vietnam" campaign organised by the Communist Party of Japan in 1969, a bird grommet made by Japanese women and sold to raise money to support Vietnam's fight against the US aggression and a proclamation signed by John Lindsay, the then mayor of New York City to provide medical aid (on May 9-16, 1973) for Indochina.

Mary Byrne McDonnell, director of the Social Science Research Council in the US, said she was on a business trip in Hanoi and came upon the exhibition by chance.

She said she and her husband John McAuliff participated in many anti-war movements in the US when they were high school students. They gathered at demonstrations in front of the White House with banners calling for an end to the war.

"That time we were young but we knew that there's something wrong," she said.

"We were aware that the war was a big mistake and it would hurt both Vietnamese and American people."

McDonnell said she was moved on seeing the display, which reminded her of the old days when she agitated for peace.

"I'm surprised to see the New York City mayor's proclamation displayed here," she said.

"Although I lived in New York, I never knew about this medical aid campaign."

The great victory of Spring 1975 belonged to the Vietnamese people as well as international friends who wholeheartedly supported and struggled for Vietnam, said Vu Xuan Hong, chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations.

"I believe that no other struggle by any other nation in the 20th century enjoyed such strong and fruitful support from the international community as the one Vietnam waged against the US.

Nguyen Van Cuong, director of the museum, said the exhibition is a tribute to international friends who stood side by side with the Vietnamese people then and are consolidating and promoting that solidarity and co-operation now.

"At the same time, it's a chance to educate the younger generation about our glorious traditions and continue to nurture and further develop the solidarity, friendship and co-operation between Vietnam and the peace loving community."

The exhibition is open at the National Museum of History, 25 Tong Dan Street, Hanoi.