Launch of Russian translation of book about intelligence cluster H.63: The harmony of two heroic nations

Writer Nguyen Quang Chanh shares at the launch of the Russian translation of the book about the H.63 intelligence cluster. (Photo: Thai Thong)

Recently in Hanoi, the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Hanoi held a launching ceremony for the book "Telling the story of the heroic H.63 intelligence group" by author Nguyen Quang Chanh and the Russian translation "Legerandar rédésir Н.63".

The launch, which was broadcast in Vietnamese and Russian, began with a short documentary introducing the H.63 Intelligence Group.

5-year journey of telling the hero's story

The heroic H.63 intelligence cluster was the most successful network of Vietnam's Defense Intelligence during the resistance war against the US, contributing significantly to the victory of liberating the South and unifying the country.

For the first time, the story of the H.63 intelligence group - a network that operated brilliantly in enemy territory until April 30, 1975 without anyone being exposed - was fully told in a book, attracting the attention of a large number of readers.

The work recreates the silent but extraordinary feats of intelligence soldiers, while realistically portraying their lives and thoughts during and after the resistance war.

By chance, Nguyen Quang Chanh had the chance to meet intelligence heroes and listen to them tell stories about their lives in intelligence activities. Because of his passion and admiration for these people, the author wanted to record the simple yet great stories about their lives.

During 5 years of fieldwork, the author traveled to every corner of Ho Chi Minh City to meet and listen to vivid memories from witnesses of the H.63 intelligence network. Many touching stories were recorded, including those shared by Hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyen Van Tau (alias Tu Cang), Head of H.63. He told of moments of near-danger, when he had to maintain his spirit against the enemy, or of clever and courageous rescues of his comrades.

Intelligence officer Pham Xuan An – admired by the CIA and Western press, and called “the perfect spy” by American history professor Larry Berman, transferred crucial documents to the revolution. He was the only Vietnamese correspondent for Time magazine for 11 years, one of the most well-informed people in Saigon in the 1960s and 1970s, secretly sending extremely valuable information that contributed to the nation’s historic victory.

His documents were transferred to the Cu Chi tunnel intelligence network, then from Cu Chi to the Liberation Army Command. In addition to Pham Xuan An's silent feat, the book highlights the bravery, intelligence, and cleverness of the intelligence soldiers of Group H.63.

Cover of the book "Telling the Story of the Heroic H.63 Intelligence Group" Russian version. (Photo: Thai Thong)

Epic of silent victories

The book " Tell the story of the heroic H.63 Intelligence Group" is not only a collection of true intelligence stories, but also an epic about the courage and silent sacrifice of Vietnamese intelligence soldiers, through the direct stories of those involved.

The pages highlight the depth of humanity, the strong patriotism and the desire to unify the country. They were ready to trade their identities, even their lives, to complete the sacred mission in the heart of the enemy.

At the book launch ceremony, Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Tuan, former Director of the Propaganda Department, General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army emphasized: "The book tells about the members of the H. 63 Intelligence Group and the Commander of the Intelligence Group, Hero Nguyen Van Tau (Tu Cang), talented intelligence General Pham Xuan An, liaison officers Nguyen Thi Ba, Tam Kien, soldiers of Ben Dinh base, people loyal to the revolutionary cause, who created an important strategic intelligence network, people's intelligence".

The book's translation into Russian is a fate between people who share a close friendship. The Vietnamese version of the book was first published in June 2023 in Vietnam and shortly after that, in December 2023, when he first met Mr. Viacheslav Kalganov, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Saint-Petersburg City in Ho Chi Minh City, author Nguyen Quang Chanh gave him the book and told him the content of the book.

At the request of Mr. Kalganov - who greatly admired the silent achievements of the legendary H.63 group and the perfect spy Pham Xuan An, in February 2024, the Foreign Affairs Committee of Saint-Petersburg City organized a number of seminars on Pham Xuan An, and author Nguyen Quang Chanh was invited to attend online.

Mr. Kalganov introduced translator Evdokia Petrunova – a former student of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Saint-Petersburg State University – who has a deep love for the country and culture of Vietnam. She undertook the translation of the book from Vietnamese to Russian and completed it within 4 months.

The translation was then edited and proofread by Associate Professor Dr. Ida Andreeva, a retired Russian literature expert in Saint-Petersburg, who volunteered to edit and proofread the text for free. She taught at Hanoi University from 1982–1984, had many academic connections with Vietnamese lecturers and artists, and always kept in mind the image of the country and its people.

Stemming from her deep love for Vietnam, despite being nearly 90 years old, Ms. Ida Andreeva still completed the editing work in just over 3 months.

Both versions of the book were widely published by the Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House. 100 copies of the Russian version were given to the Russian Embassy to be presented to Russian veterans who had supported Vietnam.

Readers admire author Nguyen Quang Chanh for spending the past 5 years researching and meeting the main characters of the H.63 Intelligence Group, listening to them humbly recounting every detail of their silent feats in the war against America to save the country, to write this realistic, attractive, and meaningful book.

The author shared that he and many other survivors tell stories about heroes with the hope that future generations will live up to their fathers and grandfathers, and better understand and appreciate today's peaceful life.

The book launch ceremony is not only an opportunity for readers and journalists to access a valuable historical work, but also an opportunity to look back at the heroic history of the nation, and pay tribute to those who have silently devoted themselves to the independence, freedom and unification of the country.

The simultaneous launch of two books " Tell the story of the heroic H.63 Intelligence Group" in Vietnamese and Russian is also considered a unique "people's diplomacy" activity, with many meanings on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Russia (1950-2025), the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification of the Vietnamese people (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), and the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War of the Russian people (May 9, 1945 - May 9, 2025).

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ra-mat-ban-dich-tieng-nga-cuon-sach-ve-cum-tinh-bao-h63-su-dong-dieu-cua-hai-dan-toc-anh-hung-311063.html