Memories of Dien Bien Phu

"Let's all carry rice to feed the troops, the villagers will help each other. Some have less, some have more, let's carry it quickly... in case of strong winds or heavy rain. Shout and cheer... let's all prepare together."

These are the songs that Mrs. Lu Thi Choan and other women often sang during their time as civilian laborers supplying rice to our soldiers in the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Back then, each woman carried 20 kilograms of rice on their small shoulders, traversing forests and streams day and night to avoid enemy raids. These songs were a great source of spiritual strength, helping them overcome the hardships and dangers.

Ms. Choan was a volunteer youth worker and a civilian laborer on the front lines during the Dien Bien Phu campaign.

Ms. Lu Thi Choan, from Bat 2 village, Vo Lao commune, Van Ban district, recalled: “Back then, nothing was difficult; if others could go, so could we. When we saw planes arriving, we had to camouflage everything, both ourselves and our loads. For several years, we would go and then come back, and then go again.”

In 1952, Mr. La Van Kim was one of hundreds of young men from Van Ban who joined the civilian labor force, transporting weapons from the lowlands to the battlefield. Although he is now at a very advanced age, the stories of his time contributing to the Dien Bien Phu campaign remain vivid in his mind.

The memories of contributing to the Dien Bien Phu campaign remain vivid in the mind of Mr. La Van Kim.

Mr. La Van Kim, from Giang village, Liem Phu commune, Van Ban district, shared: “Back then, we used canned meat to cook rice. When planes came, the rice wouldn't cook properly; the planes would put out the fire. Some nights it would cook, some nights it wouldn't. We were so hungry that we ate it even if it wasn't cooked. When our feet hurt too much, we used tree bark to make makeshift sandals.”

Stories and memories of those difficult times are still recounted by many frontline workers to their children and grandchildren, as a reminder to today's generation to live in a way that is worthy of the sacrifices of their ancestors.

Today's and future generations must never forget the glorious history of our nation.

Ms. La Thi Xung, from Giang village, Liem Phu commune, Van Ban district, said: “I am always proud of my grandfather who participated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign. To uphold the patriotic tradition, I always strive to learn and improve my knowledge to contribute to building a more prosperous and beautiful homeland and country.”

Seventy years have passed, but the spirit and courage of each soldier of Dien Bien Phu, the volunteer youth, and the civilian workers on the front lines of that era remain intact. These beautiful memories are the most vivid and authentic evidence of the war, reminding present and future generations never to forget the glorious history of the nation.

Diep Chi - Luong Manh

Source: http://laocaitv.vn/chinh-tri-xa-hoi/hoi-uc-dien-bien-phu-1