Valuable images and documents about Dien Bien Phu - A golden epic.

Seventy years have passed, yet the glorious chapters of the Dien Bien Phu victory remain a shining milestone in the history of our nation's founding and defense.

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 – May 7, 2024), the Can Tho City Museum, in collaboration with the Dien Bien Phu Historical Victory Museum, is holding a photo exhibition entitled “Dien Bien Phu – A Golden Epic”.

"Dien Bien Phu - A Golden Epic" features over 80 images and documents of historical value, introducing visitors to the heroic chapters of the nation's history in the resistance war against foreign invaders.

The images and documents are divided into three parts. Part 1 shows the Party's and President Ho Chi Minh's policies in response to the schemes and actions of the French colonialists during the Dien Bien Phu campaign in 1954.

Following the August Revolution, unwilling to accept defeat, in September 1945, the French colonialists returned to invade Vietnam and provoked conflict in the South. This is the Call for National Resistance issued by President Ho Chi Minh on December 19, 1946.

Upon receiving news that the main Vietnamese forces were marching to the Northwest, on November 20, 1953, French paratroopers occupied Dien Bien Phu.

Looking at the image of President Ho Chi Minh assigning tasks to General Vo Nguyen Giap (January 1954), Tran Hoan My (wearing glasses, on the left) - a 7th-grade student at Thoi Thuan Secondary and High School, Thot Not District, Can Tho City - said that the images and documents in this exhibition have helped her and her fellow students gain more knowledge about history, absorbing useful content and valuable information that they would find difficult to find in books.

A student was fascinated, meticulously examining every detail of the image depicting civilian laborers using bicycles to transport food supplies to the front lines.

Part 2 depicts the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. To achieve victory in the opening battle on March 13, 1954, many of our officers and soldiers bravely sacrificed their lives. A prime example is the hero Phan Dinh Giot, who used his body to block a machine gun emplacement, creating the conditions for his comrades to charge and destroy the enemy stronghold.

Surrounding, sniping, and capturing Muong Thanh airport.

The battle to capture D1 stronghold.

The French fired flares over Dien Bien Phu. The first special tactic we used in that campaign was the "Advance Attack" tactic. Our troops used straw-woven "shacks" to ensure the safety of those lying behind them, digging trenches and gradually advancing toward the enemy. At a suitable distance, our troops used howitzers to capture several enemy bunkers, then chose the opportune moment to launch a surprise attack, giving the enemy no time to react.

The performing arts troupe of the General Political Department performed at the Dien Bien Phu front; the people danced and sang to celebrate the Dien Bien Phu Victory.

The smiles on the faces of the people when they saw the image of the "Determined to Fight, Determined to Win" flag flying atop General De Castries' bunker, marking the end of "56 days and nights of digging tunnels, sleeping in bunkers, enduring rain and eating meager rations"; the Dien Bien Phu victory ending in triumph.

In Part 3 - Dien Bien Phu in a New Era, 70 years have passed, but the memories of the glorious Dien Bien Phu, of the heroic people in the Dien Bien Phu campaign, will forever live in the hearts of today's and future generations. This is an image of the May 7th Road - a project commemorating the 30th anniversary of the founding of Dien Bien Phu City (April 18, 1992 - April 18, 2022).

The photo exhibition "Dien Bien Phu - A Golden Epic" aims to propagate and educate the younger generation about national pride and absolute trust in the Party's leadership; and to continue promoting the patriotic tradition, self-reliance, and independence of the nation. The exhibition will be open to visitors at the Hung King Temple in Can Tho City until May 20th.

Laodong.vn