Le Huy Toan was born on 10 October 1930 in Vinh Yen Ward, Vinh Phuc Province outside of Hanoi. His father was a portrait painter and it could be argued that Toan inherited his artistic talents from his father. He took part in a range of artistic and creative pursuits including singing, dancing, playing music, drama and painting propaganda pictures. He painted even when in situations of extreme poverty and danger. He did not have any formal art training. Toan taught himself to draw and paint, as well as becoming a skilled toy maker. Here, the picturesque natural landscape contains stunning rock formations painted in variations of blue hues. Toan participated in the August Revolution in 1945 to promote Vietnamese independence, eventually attaining the rank of Colonel. He served with the 87th Regiment from 1947 to 1950. In 1951, Toan became an artist for the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN). He then transferred to the 312 Division and fought at Dien Bien Phu in 1954. While at Dien Bien Phu, he kept detailed daily illustrated diaries, which he used as the basis for subsequent art works when he returned to Hanoi. His works were exhibited in military museums and published in army magazines. Some of his works from Dien Bien Phu were issued as commemorative stamps on 7 May 1984. Toan became a member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, exhibiting extensively both in Vietnam and abroad. His featured exhibitions include Who Wants To Remember A War And Lines, National University of Singapore Museum (2016-2017), Vietnam 1954-1975, National University of Singapore Museum (2015-2016). Many museums display his works in Vietnam including but not limited to The Total Vietnamese Nation and Ho Chi Minh Campaign.