TRƯƠNG HIẾU - Fighting in Cambodia

From 1970 to 1973, war artist Trưóng Hiếu fought with Regiment 88 along the southern Cambodian border of Vietnam, alternating between the region of Mỹ Tho in the Mekong Delta and Prey Veng, 10 kilometres outside of Phnom Penh.

President Richard Nixon secretly started Operation Menu, an encompassing carpet bombing campaign along the Cambodian border targeting Central Office for South Vietnam headquarters(COSVN), in March 1969. A year later, Cambodian Head of State King Norodom Sihanouk was removed from power after a parliamentary coup and replaced by pro-American leader Lon Nol.

This laid the foundation for the Cambodian Campaign - a large-scale ground attack against COSVN strongholds across the Cambodian-Vietnamese border. As well as the US and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) troops attacking the People's Liberation Armed Forces (PLAF) in South Vietnam, Cambodian forces also vowed to push PLAF troops out of Cambodia.

In this video, Trưóng Hiếu gives invaluable insight into the huge odds stacked against the PLAF, as well as the actors involved apparently including Chinese forces. Half of his Regiment 88 was sent to Cambodia to help save the rule of King Sihanouk and, in the process, forge strong friendships with Cambodian villagers.

Artwork: Trưóng Hiếu

Photographs: Trưóng Hiếu

Music: "Night Music"

--- MORE AT:

VIETNAM The Art of War:

Trưóng Hiếu Biography:

Trưóng Hiếu Gallery:

"18 March 1969: Operation Menu and Secret Carpet Bombing in Cambodia":

"30 April 1970: The Cambodian Campaign":

--- ABOUT VIETNAM: THE ART OF WAR

Vietnam: The Art of War documents Vietnam's history told through the eyes and experiences of Vietnamese artists. The project includes art and stories from the French colonial period through the Indochina wars to the modern day. It is supported by Witness Collection, one of the largest Vietnamese art collections in the world.