The 70th anniversary celebration of the Dien Bien Phu Victory officially began with 21 ceremonial gun salutes set to the national anthem. Simultaneously with the flag-raising ceremony, a flight of nine helicopters carrying the Party flag and the national flag flew over the main viewing platform.
Delegates in the stands attending the commemoration ceremony. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA)
On the morning of May 7th, in Dien Bien Phu city, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the National Assembly , the President, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and Dien Bien province solemnly organized the ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 2024).
Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered the commemorative speech.
Attending the ceremony were: former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh; former President Nguyen Minh Triet; former President Truong Tan Sang; former President Nguyen Xuan Phuc; former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; former Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Van An; Politburo member, Standing Secretary of the Central Committee, Head of the Central Organization Department, Head of the Central Steering Committee for commemorating major national holidays and important historical events in the years 2023-2025 Truong Thi Mai; Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan; Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man; Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien.
Attending the commemoration ceremony were: members of the Politburo, former members of the Politburo; Secretaries of the Central Committee of the Party, former Secretaries of the Central Committee of the Party; former Vice Presidents; Deputy Prime Ministers, former Deputy Prime Ministers; Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly, former Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly; members of the Central Committee of the Party; leaders of central committees, ministries, branches, and mass organizations; leaders of some provinces and centrally-administered cities; veteran revolutionaries, Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, Labor Heroes, generals in the People's Armed Forces; representatives of Dien Bien Phu soldiers, veterans, former people's police officers, former youth volunteers, civilian workers on the front lines, forces participating in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign and the resistance war against French colonial aggression; provincial leaders and representatives of families of wounded soldiers, martyrs, and families with meritorious services to the nation in Dien Bien province.
International guests attending the ceremony included: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Chansamone Chanyalath; Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia Neth Savoeun; Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Zhang Qingwei; Minister of the Armed Forces of the Republic of France Sébastien Lecornu; representatives of foreign diplomatic missions in Vietnam, defense attachés from various countries, and representatives of overseas Vietnamese.
Helicopters carrying the Party flag and the national flag fly over the reviewing stand. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)
In particular, the commemoration ceremony was honored to receive a congratulatory floral arrangement from Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conveyed the congratulations, sincere and warmest regards, and best wishes for the success of the commemoration ceremony from General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to all delegates, compatriots, comrades, and soldiers nationwide.
The commemoration ceremony began with an artistic formation performance themed "The Epic of Dien Bien Phu," performed by artists and soldiers of the Army Ceremonial Regiment; this was followed by a drum performance involving 1,000 performers, all students from the People's Police Academy, along with 400 drums of various sizes, flag bearers, and dragon dance troupes.
The official rally began with 21 ceremonial gun salutes set to the national anthem. Simultaneously with the flag-raising ceremony, a flight of nine helicopters carrying the Party flag and the national flag flew over the main platform.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivers a speech commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)
The speech commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, delivered by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on behalf of the Party and State, expressed boundless gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap; it also commemorated and expressed gratitude for the immense contributions of our predecessors, heroic martyrs, heroic Vietnamese Mothers, Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, generations of cadres, generals, officers, soldiers, volunteer youth, civilian workers on the front lines, wounded and sick soldiers, families of martyrs, and all the armed forces and people throughout the country who wholeheartedly and bravely fought and sacrificed themselves, contributing to the historic Dien Bien Phu Victory, "renowned throughout the world and shaking the earth." We are sincerely grateful for the invaluable, heartfelt, and loyal support and assistance from China, the former Soviet Union countries, socialist countries, international friends, progressive and peace-loving forces worldwide, especially our brotherly countries Laos and Cambodia in the Indochinese Three Countries' fighting solidarity alliance, for the Dien Bien Phu Campaign in particular and the national liberation struggle of the Vietnamese people in general.
Recalling the arduous, heroic, and tenacious struggle of the nation against the French colonial invaders, the Prime Minister emphasized that, through "Fifty-six days and nights of digging tunnels, sleeping in bunkers, enduring torrential rain, and eating meager rations, blood mixed with mud, unwavering courage, unyielding determination..." with "barefoot," the steely spirit and indomitable, persistent, and heroic fighting will of our army and people, the Dien Bien Phu Campaign achieved a resounding victory, dealing a decisive blow and defeating the last efforts of the French colonialists in the war of aggression against Vietnam.
This was the pinnacle of victory in the resistance war of "All people, comprehensive, protracted, relying primarily on our own strength," a victory of the spirit of "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom," and the crystallization of Vietnam's strength in the Ho Chi Minh era; forcing the French colonialists to sign the Geneva Agreement (July 21, 1954) on the cessation of hostilities in Vietnam; creating the basis and premise for the liberation and construction of the North in its transition to socialism and a solid foundation for the struggle to liberate the South and unify the country.
According to the Prime Minister, the historic victory at Dien Bien Phu was a momentous event, not only significant for the Vietnamese Revolution, but also becoming an immortal epic that inspired national liberation movements, marking the collapse of old colonialism worldwide, as President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: “It is a great victory of our people, and also a common victory of all oppressed nations in the world. The victory at Dien Bien Phu further illuminates the truth of Marxism-Leninism in the present era: The wars of aggression by imperialists will inevitably fail, and the liberation revolutions of nations will inevitably succeed.”
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presents the First-Class Independence Order to the Party Committee, government, and people of Dien Bien province. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)
The Prime Minister stated that the historic victory at Dien Bien Phu left behind many valuable lessons. Seventy years have passed, but these lessons remain just as valuable for present and future generations. Firstly, it emphasized the importance of correctly identifying the resistance strategy, conducting a people's war involving the entire population and encompassing all aspects, simultaneously engaging in resistance and nation-building, creating a combined strength to defeat all invading enemies.
Secondly, we must foster the patriotic spirit and the determination to fight and win of our entire Party, people, and army.
Thirdly, we must promote the spirit of independence, self-reliance, self-strength, initiative, flexibility, and creativity, correctly determining the revolutionary war strategy and military art, and the art of people's war of Vietnam.
Fourth, to build and strengthen the great national unity, with the worker-peasant-intellectual alliance as its core, under the leadership of the glorious Communist Party of Vietnam.
Fifthly, to closely, harmoniously, and effectively combine national strength with the strength of the times, domestic strength with the support and assistance of international friends.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pointed out that, building on the spirit of the Dien Bien Phu victory, our nation has achieved many great victories, continuing the heroic epic of the Ho Chi Minh era, creating glorious achievements such as the "Dien Bien Phu in the Air" victory in 1972 and the pinnacle being the Great Spring Victory of 1975 with the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign. After the country was unified, we focused on restoring socio-economic life, fighting to protect the borders of the Fatherland, and fulfilling our noble international duty, helping the Cambodian people overthrow and escape the genocidal regime.
After nearly 40 years of implementing reforms and international integration under the leadership of the Party, Vietnam has achieved tremendous achievements of historical significance, as General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stated: "With all humility, we can still say that our country has never had such a foundation, potential, position, and international prestige as it does today."
From a poor, backward country that suffered the most pain and loss after World War II, Vietnam has become a developing country with a middle income; its GDP per capita has increased 58 times compared to the early period of reform, reaching US$4,300 in 2023; it is among the top 40 largest economies in the world and among the top 20 countries with the largest trade volume globally. Vietnam is recognized by the United Nations as one of the leading countries in implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and is striving for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
From a country once under siege and embargo, Vietnam now has diplomatic relations with 193 countries, expanded economic and trade relations with 230 countries and territories, and serves as a model for healing and recovering from the wounds of war. The socio-political situation is stable; national defense and security are strengthened; social order and safety are ensured; national independence and sovereignty are maintained; foreign relations and international integration are promoted; and a peaceful, stable, and favorable environment for cooperation and development is preserved.
Assessing the situation in the coming period, especially the difficulties and challenges, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that Vietnam will continue to strongly promote the fighting spirit of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign of the past; the more enthusiastic and proud of the glorious historical traditions of the nation and of previous generations, the more strengthened the belief and clear the responsibility to the country in the present and future; overcoming difficulties and challenges, determined to strive to the highest degree to continue creating new "Dien Bien Phu miracles" in the cause of building and defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.
The entire nation pledges to march forward under the glorious banner of the Party, united in purpose and spirit, consolidating the great national unity, focusing on: building a socialist democracy, building a socialist rule of law state of the people, by the people, and for the people, and building a socialist-oriented market economy; effectively implementing the policy: socio-economic development is the central focus; Party building is the key, personnel work is the "key of keys"; cultural development is the spiritual foundation and intrinsic strength; ensuring national defense and security is crucial and ongoing, in order to realize the aspiration of building a socialist Vietnam that is increasingly prosperous, democratic, thriving, civilized, and happy.
The Prime Minister expressed his belief that the glorious and heroic history of our nation, with the immortal spirit of Dien Bien Phu, will continue to be built upon the difficulties and challenges overcome, writing further epics of victory with all the determination, perseverance, enthusiasm, national pride, and love for the homeland of present and future generations, as taught by beloved President Ho Chi Minh: "Nothing is difficult, only the lack of perseverance is to be feared. Digging mountains and filling seas, with determination, anything can be achieved."
The scene at the ceremony. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA)
Speaking at the ceremony, recalling the arduous and heroic struggle, veteran Pham Duc Cu, representing the Dien Bien Phu soldiers and forces participating in the Dien Bien Phu campaign, expressed his pride in having contributed to the victory of Dien Bien Phu and the building of Dien Bien Phu in particular and the beautiful country as it is today; he resolved to always uphold the fine traditional qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers, be exemplary in lifestyle, and abide by and implement the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws; and hoped that present and future generations would always remember, be proud of, and promote the glorious traditions of the nation, creating new miracles in the cause of building and protecting the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.
Youth Union member Vu Quynh Anh, representing the young generation of Vietnam, expressed her happiness and pride in being born in peace, in the historic land of Dien Bien; she vowed to remember the contributions of generations of ancestors who dedicated themselves to building and developing the country; considering this as a valuable asset on her path of learning, self-improvement, and career development; she pledged to overcome difficulties and hardships, ready to go anywhere and do anything the country needs, joining forces with the community to resolutely protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland, participate in maintaining security and order, and ensure the peaceful lives of the people; carrying the pioneering spirit of youth and the shared aspirations of the entire nation, contributing to building a more prosperous country.
On this occasion, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presented the First-Class Independence Order to the Party Committee, government, and people of Dien Bien province for their exceptionally outstanding achievements in contributing to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.
Lieutenant General Nguyen Trong Binh, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, is pictured in the command vehicle leading the parade. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)
Immediately following the rally was a parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, with the participation of over 12,000 people. Along with other activities of the commemoration, this event was warmly awaited and enthusiastically cheered on by tens of thousands of people of all ethnic groups in Dien Bien province and from all over the country.
The forces participating in the parade and march included ceremonial contingents with floats displaying the national emblem, Party flag, national flag, floats carrying portraits of President Ho Chi Minh, and floats symbolizing the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory; contingents of armed forces such as the Army, militia, police, veterans, youth volunteers, and civilian workers on the front lines; and contingents of mass marches and artistic parades such as workers, farmers, intellectuals, youth, women, ethnic groups from the Northwest, and art groups.
The parade and march of the armed forces, militia, veterans, youth volunteers, and civilian workers on the front lines, with their synchronized, strong, and beautiful movements, demonstrated the discipline, strength, and maturity of the revolutionary armed forces; ensuring combat strength to protect the Fatherland and the People.
Officers of the Peacekeeping Force march in formation. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)
The parade of workers, farmers, intellectuals, youth, women, ethnic groups from the Northwest, and the art group recreated the heroic spirit of the historic Dien Bien Phu Victory, "renowned throughout the world and shaking the earth"; demonstrating the invincible spirit and strength of national unity; the tradition of patriotism, self-reliance, and self-improvement; and the enthusiastic emulation in labor, production, innovation, and creativity.
The parade and march program aims to encourage and motivate the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army to uphold the revolutionary nature, promote the heroic national traditions, the spirit of decisive struggle and victory; the aspiration for a prosperous and happy country; to successfully carry out the cause of building and protecting the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland; and to contribute to the struggle for peace, national independence, democracy, and social progress throughout the world.
Party and State leaders and former leaders pay tribute to the heroic martyrs. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)
Earlier that morning, a delegation from the Central Committee of the Communist Party, the National Assembly, the President, the Government, and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, laid wreaths and offered incense at the Martyrs' Memorial Temple in the Dien Bien Phu battlefield.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong sent a wreath to pay respects to the fallen heroes and martyrs.
The Prime Minister and the delegation respectfully commemorated and expressed their boundless gratitude to the great President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap, the heroic martyrs, soldiers of the armed forces, youth volunteers, civilian workers on the front lines, and all the people who bravely sacrificed themselves on the Dien Bien Phu battlefield, contributing to the Dien Bien Phu victory - a glorious golden milestone, an immortal epic of the nation.
According to VNA
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