More than a decade has passed since millions of Vietnamese people and international friends paid their final respects to General Vo Nguyen Giap as he was laid to rest in his homeland of Quang Binh province (October 4, 2013). Renowned as an exceptional military strategist in Vietnam's history, particularly for his pivotal role in the resounding victory of 1954 Dien Bien Phu campaign, the image of the humble, sincere, and devoted general, who dedicated his whole life to the nation and people, is not only revered and admired by the Vietnamese people but has also left an indelible mark in the hearts of international friends.
Today marks the 11th anniversary of the passing of General Vo Nguyen Giap, a prominent military strategist in Vietnam’s history renowned for his leadership in the victorious Dien Bien Phu campaign in 1954, a crucial event that marks the end of the French colonial rule in Vietnam.
General Vo Nguyen Giap was a military leader of the greatest stature, a strategist of the “people’s war” and a faithful representative of the thought of President Ho Chi Minh, said Algerian Ambassador to Vietnam Sofiane Chaib.
A photo exhibition named “The Imprint of General Vo Nguyen Giap on Dien Bien Phu” opened in the central province of Quang Binh – the hometown of the General - on August 20.
Dien Bien Phu city in Dien Bien province has become known as an emerging tourism centre of Vietnam’s Northwest region, boasting strengths in historical and cultural tourism, eco-tourism, exploration of natural landscapes, and resort, entertainment, and healthcare tourism.
More than 1 million tourists, including 4,800 foreigners, flocked to the northwestern mountainous province of Dien Bien from the outset of the year to May 7, according to the provincial Department of Culture and Sports.
The Dien Bien Phu Victory is a model for the cause of national liberation in Asia, Africa and Latin America, contributing to putting an end to colonialism, Gastón Fiorda, an expert on Southeast Asian affairs at the National Radio of Argentina has said.
The Dien Bien Phu Campaign on May 7, 1954, went down in history as a glorious milestone of the entire Vietnamese Party, army, and people in the resistance war against the French colonialists (1945 - 1954).
“It took nine years to secure Dien Bien/The victory was a red flower and a golden epic.” These lines of verse, part of a poem titled “Thirty years we have the Party in our life” by To Huu, describe the pride that millions of Vietnamese people take in the Dien Bien Phu Victory. It “resounded across the five continents and shook the globe”.
A special music show was held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Dien Bien Phu city, the northwestern province of Dien Bien, on May 6 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954-2024).
The war may have ended over 70 years ago, yet the relic site of Dien Bien Phu remains a lasting reminder for the Vietnamese people of the sacrifices of their ancestors in the struggle for national independence, freedom, and happiness.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on May 6 received French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu, who is in Vietnam to attend celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory.
Four years after the liberation of Dien Bien Phu, a number of army units were ordered back to the former battlefields to engage in economic development, including the building of agricultural farms and repairing roads.
A TV show connecting five locations nationwide was held by the Vietnam Television (VTV) on May 5 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - 2024).
Seventy years ago, Vietnam won the Dien Bien Phu battle, forcing the French government to sign the Geneva Agreement in July 1954 and marking the end of the French military presence in the whole Indochina.
On May 7 seventy years ago, a Vietnamese flag flew atop the bunker of French General De Castries, signalling a glorious victory for Vietnamese nation in the battle at Dien Bien Phu.
Some precious information about the Dien Bien Phu Campaign 70 years ago will be revealed for the first time in a documentary titled “Dien Bien Phu – Nhin tu nuoc Phap” (Dien Bien Phu – A view from France) that will be aired by Vietnam Television (VTV) on May 7.
The Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House and the family of late General Vo Nguyen Giap held a ceremony to introduce the 9th edition of the book “Dien Bien Phu” written by the General.
