Many original archives about Dien Bien Phu Campaign published for the first time

Records and documents recreate the historical context, the process of directing and preparing the Campaign; the developments, results and significance of the Campaign; the process of the military and people of the whole country coordinating with the Dien Bien Phu battlefield.

Many original archival documents about the Dien Bien Phu Campaign and the Geneva Conference were published for the first time and were introduced by the National Archives Center III (Department of State Records and Archives, Ministry of the Interior ) at a meeting with press agencies on the morning of April 5.

Director of National Archives Center III Tran Viet Hoa said that the Center is preserving a large volume of records and documents recreating the historical context, the process of directing and preparing for the Dien Bien Phu Campaign; the developments, results and significance of the campaign; the process of the army and people of the whole country coordinating with the Dien Bien Phu battlefield; public opinion and international friendship; campaign logistics; policies of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam towards wounded and sick soldiers and deserters; documents on the optimistic fighting spirit and combat service of our army and people during the campaign...

The documents reflect the talented leadership, sharp decisions and strategies of the Party, Government and Vietnam People's Army, the strength of solidarity and unanimity of the entire people and army determined to win in the struggle to protect national independence; and the role of General Vo Nguyen Giap - Commander-in-Chief of the campaign...

The archives on the Geneva Conference on restoring peace in Indochina in 1954, including documents and images on the historical context, developments, results of the Conference, impacts and implementation of the Agreement; world public opinion on the Geneva Conference..., especially many statements on the stances and viewpoints of the participating parties, on the support of international friends for Vietnam... vividly reflect the developments of the Geneva Conference.

In late 1953, in Viet Bac, President Ho Chi Minh and Party leaders decided to launch the Dien Bien Phu campaign, determined to destroy the strongest French stronghold in Dien Bien Phu. (Photo: VNA documents)

Nearly 200 documents introduced are a very small number among thousands of archives with 14km of documents that the Center is preserving. Documents, materials, and images about the Dien Bien Phu Campaign and the Geneva Conference in 1954 preserved at the Center are important evidence contributing to scientific research on historical events, military, diplomacy... and the history of the Vietnamese people, at the same time having great significance, making a practical contribution to the research and education of the tradition of patriotism, solidarity in the struggle to protect national independence of the Vietnamese people.

These documents have been edited, scientifically arranged and safely preserved, serving the needs of the general public. In recent times, these documents have been promoted in many forms by the National Archives Center III, the State Records and Archives Department, through writing articles, displaying, exhibiting, publishing books, making films, etc.

To practically celebrate the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 2024) and the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Agreement, the National Archives Center III is coordinating with the Military History Museum, the Department of Home Affairs of Bac Giang province, and the Department of Culture and Sports of Hanoi to organize exhibitions, displays, and book publishing activities.

At the document introduction event, Colonel Nguyen Boi Giong - former senior expert in the War History Summary Board of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army shared many stories about the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, about the examples of heroes, spreading the meaning of the campaign, contributing to educating the tradition of patriotism in the young generation.

On May 7, 1954, the historic Dien Bien Phu campaign ended in victory, the entire enemy stronghold in Dien Bien Phu was destroyed by our army, the "Determination to fight, determination to win" flag was fluttering on the roof of General De Castries' bunker. (Photo: VNA documents)

The Dien Bien Phu victory on May 7, 1954 forced the French colonialists to sit at the negotiating table, negotiate and sign the Geneva Agreement (July 1954) on ending the war and restoring peace in the Indochinese countries, ending the long-standing colonial rule and opening a new step of development for the Indochinese revolution. This was a great victory, of extremely important significance in the history of the Vietnamese nation.

For the first time, the French Government and "each country participating in the Geneva Conference pledged to respect the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity...," "absolutely not to interfere in the internal affairs" of Vietnam; the French army had to withdraw, North Vietnam was completely liberated, entered the process of building socialism, and became a large and solid rear for the people of the South to continue the struggle for national liberation and national reunification.

From Dien Bien Phu to the Geneva Conference was a process of persistent and victorious struggle of the Party, Government, army, people and diplomatic delegations of Vietnam. It was a victory of the ardent patriotism, will for independence, aspiration for freedom and love of peace of the Vietnamese people./.

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