*Veteran Pham Binh Han - The days of holding the corridor during the Dien Bien Phu campaign
In the atmosphere of the whole country commemorating the 72nd anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory (May 7, 1954 – May 7, 2026), we met Colonel Pham Binh Han, a veteran (Hamlet 7, Thai Thuy Commune). In his twilight years, with white hair, his eyes still lit up with emotion when he spoke of the years he participated in that historic campaign.
He slowly recalled: "In 1950, at the age of 15, I volunteered to join the army along with thousands of young people from Hung Yen with the determination, 'I would rather sacrifice everything than lose my country or become a slave.' Initially a cadet, I was later assigned to be a secretary in Company 29, Battalion 183, Regiment 246. In 1951, I participated in the fighting in Bac Giang. After the campaign, I returned to the Viet Bac base – the cradle of the revolution, where the will and faith of cadres and soldiers were forged before entering major battles."
In late 1953, when the Politburo decided to launch the Dien Bien Phu Campaign to destroy the strongest French colonial stronghold in the Northwest, Mr. Han's unit received orders to march and coordinate with the forces of the 304th Division to protect the campaign's corridor and perimeter. At that time, the French colonialists intensified their air attacks on the routes to the Northwest to cut off supplies from the rear. Overcoming "bombing and shelling," the unit marched across the Au Lau ferry and the Lung Lo pass to Lai Chau.
In early 1954, most areas in northern Lai Chau, such as Mu Su, Mu Ca, Muong Te, Muong Nha, and Muong Cha, were occupied by bandits. Following the directives of the Central Party Committee and the Northwest Regional Party Committee, his unit, along with local troops, implemented the "three together" policy with the people, exposing the crimes of the French invaders and their collaborators who harmed the country and its people; propagating and explaining the government's lenient policies; and calling on the bandits to surrender their weapons. Enlightened, many families voluntarily went into the forest to call their husbands, sons, and brothers to leave the bandit ranks and return to the revolution. By the end of April 1954, many bandit groups were routed, making a significant contribution to the overall victory.
“I can never forget, in early May 1954, our unit received orders to march quickly to the corridor. Just after crossing the Nam Rom River, we received news that General De Castries and his entire General Staff and soldiers of the French colonial army at Dien Bien Phu had surrendered. The whole unit erupted in joy and happiness,” Mr. Han recalled emotionally. Amidst the mountains and forests of Northwest Vietnam, the cheers echoed, and everyone was choked with emotion. Anticipating that the enemy might parachute into Son La, his unit advanced towards Na San airfield and established a base there.
After the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, Colonel Pham Binh Han continued his service in the military, holding various positions. In 1985, he served on an international mission in Cambodia. After 40 years of military service, he retired in 1990. For his significant contributions, he was awarded many prestigious honors by the Party and State, including: the Third-Class Military Merit Order, the Second-Class Combat Merit Order, the First-Class Resistance Order, the Victory Banner Order, and the Third-Class Order for Protecting the Fatherland.
Not only Colonel Pham Binh Han, but many sons and daughters of Thai Thuy commune experienced the fierce years of war, contributing to the victory at Dien Bien Phu. Currently, the commune still has two veterans who directly participated in the campaign. The war has long since ended, the hair of these former soldiers has turned gray, but the memories of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign remain vivid and deeply etched in their minds. They are living witnesses, role models of courage and unwavering will.
*Veteran Pham Van Cu - The soldier who carried out the demolition work back then*
Even at the age of 90, the memory of veteran Pham Van Cu, from Vi Giang village, Hong Minh commune (Hung Yen province), who participated in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign and whom we met and spoke with, remains vivid. He still vividly remembers the heroic years of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign and the victory that "shook the world and resonated across continents."
In 1953, when the resistance war against French colonialism entered its most intense phase, Phạm Văn Cư, then only 17 years old, volunteered to join the army. He was assigned to Company 606, Battalion 166, Regiment 209, Division 312 and marched to the Northwest. In the early days, he was an infantry soldier, directly involved in pulling artillery into position. Later, he transferred to become a demolition soldier, facing imminent danger as he had to destroy barbed wire fences and enemy bunkers under heavy gunfire.
Veteran Pham Van Cu recalled: "Hill D was built by the French colonialists as a forward outpost of the eastern hill range, shielding and protecting the command post of the Dien Bien Phu fortified complex and the Muong Thanh airfield. They built extremely strong and formidable defensive structures and deployed a highly skilled battalion to occupy it. Our side determined that capturing the eastern high ground, including Hill D1, was an extremely important task in the second phase of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. At exactly 5 PM on March 30, 1954, our artillery simultaneously bombarded Hill D1 and the eastern high ground of the central Muong Thanh area. Within 30 minutes of fighting, our unit captured Hill D1. The next morning, the French counterattacked in combination with air power to try to recapture the stronghold, and the fighting was fierce. After two days, our troops completely controlled Hill D1."
During the campaign, the weather was unfavorable, with heavy rain. Some sections of the trenches were flooded, and our soldiers had to endure the rain, fighting the enemy for every meter of trench. Mr. Cu added: "I was assigned to a demolition team with the task of breaking through the barbed wire fences, clearing a path for our troops to attack the command post and destroy the enemy stronghold. Aware of the importance of the mission, I and my teammates directly scouted the terrain, studied the direction of attack, and quickly rushed forward 30 meters to approach the fence, placing the explosive charges despite the enemy's bombs and bullets. One explosion blew away about 5 meters of the enemy's fence, creating favorable conditions for our troops to attack."
Life for the soldiers back then was extremely difficult. Meals consisted of only a few small handfuls of food, supplemented with cassava or wild roots, but no one complained. In the midst of hardship, camaraderie and fighting spirit grew stronger than ever. "Hungry, cold, and tired, but everyone was determined. We only thought about how to win the battle so we could return home," Mr. Cu shared.
After days of fierce fighting, the campaign entered its decisive phase. On the afternoon of May 7, 1954, the "Determined to Fight - Determined to Win" flag of the Vietnam People's Army flew atop General De Castries' bunker, and the entire battlefield erupted in joy at the victory. Mr. Cu emotionally shared: "When we heard the news of the victory, we were overjoyed. We hugged each other, everyone had tears in their eyes, and we all shouted, 'Long live Uncle Ho! Long live General Giap!'"
It was not only the joy of soldiers who had just emerged from the brink of death, but also a moment that opened a new chapter in the nation's history, a chapter of independence and freedom. Because of those sacrifices, in 2024, at the age of 90, with 65 years of Party membership, Mr. Cu remained lucid and proud to attend the 70th anniversary celebration of the Dien Bien Phu victory, as if reliving those historic days once again.
Sharing her thoughts about the veteran Party member, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hue from Vi Giang village, Hong Minh commune, emotionally stated: "Mr. Pham Van Cu is not only a veteran who directly participated in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, but also a shining example of the qualities and will of a Party member. For many years, he has always been exemplary, actively participating in local activities and educating the younger generation about traditions. His stories are vivid lessons about patriotism and the noble sacrifices of our forefathers."
The war ended, some sacrificed themselves, becoming one with the land and sky of Northwest Vietnam, while others returned to rebuild their homeland. Today, Dien Bien Phu veterans like Mr. Pham Van Cu, now at a rare old age, live simple lives in their faded military uniforms. Yet, he still radiates the courageous fighting spirit and complete self-sacrifice for the goal and ideal of national liberation, bringing independence and freedom to the country and happiness to the people.
Source: https://baohungyen.vn/ky-uc-nguoi-linh-dien-bien-3194736.html
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