Delivering a speech at the 70th Anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory on the morning of May 7, the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam emphasized: The Dien Bien Phu Victory is not only significant for the Vietnamese Revolution, but also becomes an immortal heroic epic, urging movements to fight for national liberation, marking the collapse of old colonialism, as President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: "It is the great victory of our people, but also the common victory of all oppressed peoples in the world".
On the grand day, Dien Bien soldiers, Lao Cai frontline workers and many people in the province relived the memories of a heroic time and were filled with special emotions. On the morning of a special day in May, Lao Cai Newspaper reporters recorded those special feelings:
Meeting a young Dien Bien soldier who had Uncle Ho's badge pinned on his chest
Together with the Chairman of the Veterans Association of Binh Minh Ward, Lao Cai City, we visited and talked with Mr. Be Sam, 87 years old, residing in Group 14, a Dien Bien soldier in 1953 - 1954, who was honored to have Uncle Ho pin the Dien Bien Soldier badge on his chest.
Mr. Be Sam, a Tay ethnic, was born in Tra Linh, Cao Bang province. He was aware of the revolution early, at the age of 13 he volunteered to be a liaison for cadres, at the age of 16 he volunteered to join the army, was assigned to Regiment 375, Viet Bac Military Region, and directly participated in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.
Mr. Be Sam's unit was initially assigned to dig trenches to surround and conduct guerrilla warfare at the French Muong Thanh airport to limit the enemy's air supply route. After that, Mr. Be Sam participated in many battles on Hill A1 through two tactical phases until the campaign achieved complete victory.
“At first we fought at night, our guns fired, making it easy for the enemy to spot us from inside the fortified bunkers. Then we switched to fighting during the day, and the red fire was no longer there, but just a pure white color,” Mr. Sam said.
Mr. Sam also said that to add courage, training work (ideology, politics) in the army is very important, that is also the secret to our victory against a powerful enemy.
Commemorating the great victory, Mr. Be Sam could not help but feel emotional and sad when remembering the pain and loss, about his comrades who never returned, tears rolling down the wrinkled cheeks of the heroic Dien Bien soldiers. We all understood, without anyone telling us, that in every war to defend the nation, there is a tragic part.
Proud to be a Dien Bien soldier
Mr. Hua Dinh Luong, born in 1934, Tay ethnic group, Dien Bien soldier, residing in Ban Vuoc commune, Bat Xat district
In recent days, I have been following the news about the 70th anniversary of the historic Dien Bien Phu Victory, which has brought back so many memories to me. More than 70 years ago, I was an infantryman, a soldier of the 312th Division, directly fighting in the attack on Hill A1 during the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. I still remember that on the morning of May 7, 1954, we received orders to attack Hill A1, and all the soldiers set out with great enthusiasm and determination to win the battle.
The battle was extremely fierce because the enemy's firepower was very strong, bullets rained down from hill A1.
We fought while looking at the red flag with the yellow star that our comrades were charging forward with. Two comrades who fought in the same trench with me were both seriously injured and died. I was lucky to have a bullet that went through my trouser leg but was not injured. When we saw the red flag with the yellow star flying over the De Castries bunker, the enemy surrendered, we were all extremely happy, hugging each other and cheering happily.
Promoting the spirit of Dien Bien soldiers, right after the campaign I went to Lao Cai to participate in the suppression of bandits in Bac Ha district. In 1959, I was honored to be admitted to the Party, then worked for 20 years at Bat Xat District Party Committee and 4 years as Party Secretary of Ban Xeo commune, 10 years as Party Secretary of Ban Vuoc commune and then retired according to the regime.
This year, I am 90 years old, I am very moved and grateful to the Party and State for their attention to veterans and those who have contributed to the revolution. I am always proud to be a soldier of Dien Bien, directly holding a gun to fight to protect my homeland. Currently, my 8 children are all cadres and party members. I often remind my children and grandchildren to actively strive and study to build the country, worthy of the blood sacrifice of the previous generation to protect national independence.
Confessions of a Veteran Against America
Mr. Nguyen Manh Toan, born in 1953, group 7, Bat Xat town, Bat Xat district
On the morning of May 7, I and the veterans at Group 7, Bat Xat town watched the live TV program celebrating the 70th anniversary of the historic Dien Bien Phu victory and the parade to celebrate the country's great event.
I myself am a soldier who participated in the resistance war against the US, directly fought in the Quang Tri battlefield in 1973 and in 1975 participated in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign. Having gone through the fierce war years, where sacrifices were just a hair’s breadth away, I understand better than anyone the hardships and sacrifices of soldiers and compatriots in the resistance war against the French, especially in the historic Dien Bien Phu Campaign. Those bloody sacrifices contributed to the glorious victory that “resounded throughout the five continents and shook the world”.
At that time, the Dien Bien Phu Victory as well as the heroic spirit of the Dien Bien soldiers gave our generation more motivation to fight against the invading American imperialists. Therefore, every soldier of Uncle Ho's Army determined to fight regardless of danger to protect the homeland.
Today, looking at the documentary images of the 70th Anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, we are even more excited and proud. I was very moved when I visited historical sites such as A1 Hill, De Castries Tunnel, Muong Phang Commune... and witnessed the jubilant and excited atmosphere before the 70th Anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory.
Promoting the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers, we always try to be exemplary in completing the tasks assigned by the Party, State and People; educating our children and grandchildren to comply with the policies of the Party and State, and strive to study well to protect and build our homeland.
Live and work well to be worthy of the sacrifice of our ancestors.
Mrs. Lu Thi Chao, 75 years old, Mong ethnic group, Ta Chai commune, Bac Ha district
Since the Party and Uncle Ho led the way, Mong ethnic people have participated in the resistance war against the French, worked as porters on the front lines, transported wounded and ammunition, etc., contributing to the Dien Bien Phu Victory.
Until now, the Party and the State have always had policies for our people so that we can feel secure in production and develop our family economy. I myself always remind and educate my children to continue to believe in the leadership of the Party and to live, study and work in a way that is worthy of the sacrifices of our ancestors during the resistance years.
Proud to have a father who is a Dien Bien soldier
Mr. Ha Thu Thanh, 65 years old, Bac Ha town, Bac Ha district
My father, Mr. Ha Trong Thiep, was born in 1931, in Phu Tho province. My father was a soldier in the 312th Division, directly participating in the attack on Hill A1, contributing to the overall victory of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.
After the campaign, my father was assigned to Lao Cai at the Apatite mine, then to Sa Pa to build the armed police force, then transferred to Si Ma Cai to work at Border Post 201. In 1969, my father transferred to the commercial sector, working until 1982 when he retired.
My father passed away 1 year ago at the age of 92, he has always been the pride of the whole family and clan. Promoting the family tradition, I always strive to improve myself in all aspects of study, work and daily life.
Currently, as Vice President of the Veterans Association of Bac Ha town, I always strive to fulfill my assigned tasks to build my hometown to develop more and more.
Proud to visit Uncle Ho's Mausoleum before the victory anniversary
Mr. Vu Van Sinh, 94 years old, An Thanh village, Pho Lu town, Bao Thang district
On the morning of May 7, we, along with the Party Secretary and Chairman of the People's Committee of Pho Lu town, visited and encouraged Mr. Vu Van Sinh, born in 1930, residing in An Thanh village, a soldier in Dien Bien from 1952 to 1954.
Mr. Sinh was born in Tien Lang, Hai Phong city. At the age of 15, he joined the revolution, directly participating in marches and rallies to seize power in 1945. After the August Revolution, Mr. Sinh joined the army and was assigned to the Viet Bac Military Region. In 1952, he was transferred to unit C41, e351, f304, supplementing the Northwest Campaign, followed by the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. Mr. Sinh also remembers that around 1958, he returned to his hometown from the army and volunteered to go to Lao Cai to build a new economic zone.
Moved with emotion on the day of victory, Mr. Sinh proudly said: Our soldiers are very good and resilient. The Dien Bien Phu campaign was extremely difficult and arduous, but everyone was optimistic, believed in victory, never discouraged, and did not mind sacrifice. In any era, Uncle Ho's soldiers always believed that "every task would be completed, every difficulty would be overcome, and every enemy would be defeated".
Memories of a female firefighter who crossed the forest to clear the way and carry ammunition
Mrs. Nong Thi Tam, born in 1936, La 1 village, Xuan Thuong commune, Bao Yen district
“I joined the frontline as a civilian laborer at the age of 18. The main job was carrying rocks, digging soil, clearing roads, and carrying ammunition.” At the age of 88, Mr. Tam’s memories of the wartime at Dien Bien Phu battlefield are still intact.
At that time, the whole province was in a state of excitement to go support the Dien Bien front. Xuan Thuong commune had 3 volunteers, including me. Although not directly in the battle, the rear areas still actively took care of logistics, supplies, opened roads, transported military equipment and necessities to the front lines for the soldiers directly fighting.
When the campaign ended in victory, I returned to my hometown to work and produce. Although those memories are only in my memory, I always cherish them and tell them to my children and grandchildren to remind them to cherish the peaceful moments today, to strive to study and work to build their homeland and country.
Today, in the moment of national pride towards Dien Bien, I recall with emotion the memories of the “time of war”. The country is at peace and is on the path of development, the result of solidarity and bravery in fighting.
Participants in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign like me have always received attention from the Party, the State and the locality. I was awarded the Resistance Medal and my family was supported to build a house. I believe that the leadership of the Party and the policies of the State and the locality will bring the country and my hometown Bao Yen to many important achievements in all fields.
Intact memory
Mr. Cao Dat, born in 1930, group 5, Bac Lenh ward, Lao Cai city
Today, Mr. Cao Dat woke up earlier than usual, he said: Today is a special day. Early in the morning, I was eagerly and nervously waiting in front of the TV screen to watch the live broadcast of the parade celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory.
Mr. Dat proudly put on the military uniform that General Vo Nguyen Giap gave him many years ago. The eyes of the 96-year-old veteran seemed to light up when he saw the documentary images of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign 70 years ago. Looking at the majestic parade formation and the jubilant atmosphere of the whole country towards the anniversary, it seemed like he had met himself in his twenties with his comrades, the memories suddenly came back fresh and vivid.
It was in 1950, because of avoiding military service, young man Cao Dat left his hometown Hung Yen for Thanh Hoa, then met soldiers and followed the revolution from there. After 8 months of specialized information training, he was assigned to Division 304.
As the years passed, his memory was powerless against his age, and the old veteran could not fully recall his fighting experience at the Dien Bien Phu battlefield. He only knew that he and his unit participated in the Hoa Binh Campaign, Ninh Binh, and Upper Laos before entering the decisive Dien Bien Phu campaign.
According to Mr. Dat, around the beginning of March 1954, his unit began marching to Dien Bien Phu, assigned to surround the Hong Cum sub-region, control the airport and enemy artillery positions, and proceed to separate the Hong Cum sub-region from the central Muong Thanh sub-region. Here, in addition to ensuring information for combat, Mr. Dat also participated in digging trenches to gradually encroach on enemy bases to bring firepower closer and restrain enemy artillery.
“The trench digging work was very hard. At first, we had to lie down and dig. When it was deep enough, we could sit and then stand up to dig. While the enemy bombs and bullets were fiercely blocking us, everyone was determined to complete the task with the highest spirit,” veteran Cao Dat emotionally recalled.
From May 1st, in Hong Cum, artillery and mortars of Division 304 fired heavily at the enemy's artillery positions. Mr. Dat and his comrades fought bravely, one fell first, the next followed, determined to open the way to the central area. On the afternoon of May 7th, General De Castries and the Dien Bien Phu stronghold surrendered.
Memories of the heroic years that created a Dien Bien Phu that "resounded throughout the five continents and shook the world" will never fade in the hearts of the Dien Bien soldiers of that day, including Mr. Dat.
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