(VNF) - On March 4 – 5, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius traveled to Tuyen Quang Province to meet with provincial leaders and visit Tan Trao Village, a historic site symbolizing Vietnam-US cooperation dating back to 1945 (World War II period).

72 years ago, in Tan Trao village, Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh (League for the Independence of Vietnam) joined hands with the United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS) to combat the occupying Axis force.

In those days, the US OSS officers had provided training for Viet Minh guerrillas, shared intelligence information and supplied them with ammunition and medicine. US OSS even presented Ho Chi Minh with a copy of the U.S. Declaration of Independence - the source of reference he later cited in the Vietnam's own version of Declaration of Independence.

During those days, Ho Chi Minh and his Viet Minh troops also rescued American pilots who were shot down in the area.

The US Ambassador and the deputy chair of provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hai Anh at Na Nua camp. (source: US Embassy)

Tan Trao village is a significant historic landmark which symbolizes the cooperation between US and Vietnam in early days. The site represented "the spirit of 1945," when the United States was the prime supporter for Vietnam's movement for independence and sovereignty.

The village is also a personal memorial place to a diplomat working for the Embassy - Political Counselor Brett Blackshaw and his family.

Blackshaw's grandfather, Peter Morris Williams, was part of a British Royal Air Force squadron that had worked to support the Viet Minh and Allies in Tan Trao.

To commemorate his grandfather’s contribution in accompanying Vietnam in the historic fight for independence, Blackshaw laid a rose at the Lan Dong Minh [Allies’ Hut].

Ambassador Osius meeting Tuyen Quang Deputy Chief of provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hong Thang. (source: US Embassy)

Before visiting Tan Trao, Ambassador Osius met with Tuyen Quang Deputy Party Chief Nguyen Hong Thang and other provincial leaders to learn about the province’s development priorities as well as natural and cultural heritage.

During the meeting, Ambassador Osius also congratulated the provincial leadership on successfully hosting of the recent 2017 Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion Conference attended by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc./.

( VNF )