As thousands of veterans across the country’s provinces and cities, from border regions to islands, turned their attention to Dien Bien on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (1954-2024), 25 members of the Veterans’ Association of National Economics University (NEU) recently embarked on a journey back to their roots, visiting the heroic land of Dien Bien Phu.

The NEU Veterans’ Association sets off for Dien Bien Phu

The Dien Bien Phu Victory became a thunderclap that shook the world, tearing through the dark clouds of colonialism and imperialism and providing tremendous encouragement for oppressed peoples to rise up and gain independence. The three names—Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and Dien Bien Phu—resounded everywhere, becoming a source of pride and an expression of the yearning for freedom among the oppressed and exploited, a symbol of unparalleled courage, and a shining star of the national liberation movement, heralding the collapse of colonialism worldwide.

The Dien Bien Phu Victory was all the greater because it was the triumph of a young army from a nation considered small and weak, yet one that defeated a colonial giant with superior troop strength and weaponry. Over 56 days and nights, Vietnamese forces eliminated more than 16,000 enemy troops and completely crushed the fortified complex that the West had regarded as an “impregnable fortress.” This was also the first time in history that such a large expeditionary force of a Western imperial power had been destroyed in a colony.

Only those who have experienced war can understand how precious peace is, and only those living in peace can truly appreciate the losses and suffering of the generations who laid down their lives for the nation’s independence and freedom. Like a heroic epic, Dien Bien Phu continues every day to teach successive generations about patriotism and hatred of the enemy. Today, walking on Hills A1, C1, and D1, through the Him Lam, Ban Keo, and Doc Lap strongholds, General de Castries’ bunker, and the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Headquarters in Muong Phang… we can truly sense the heroic struggle and indomitable resilience of our forebears 70 years ago.

Following in the footsteps of the soldiers of years past, the delegation traveled over the once winding and treacherous Cun Pass, through Thung Nhuoi and Thung Khe, and across the Moc Chau Plateau, a highland area with a cool, fresh climate. On the way to the town center, the delegation passed through Long Luong Village, beautiful in all four seasons, and visited Son La Prison and the To Hieu peach tree…

Crossing Pha Din Pass, where heaven and earth meet, the delegation arrived in Muong Phang Commune, Dien Bien District, to visit the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Headquarters. Here, General Vo Nguyen Giap and the Campaign Command issued decisive directives and attack orders, culminating in the order for a general assault across the entire front on May 7, 1954, which brought about the Dien Bien Phu Victory, renowned across the five continents and shaking the globe.

The University’s Veterans’ Association visits the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Headquarters

Upon arriving in Dien Bien Phu City, the veterans’ delegation paid its respects at A1 Martyrs’ Cemetery, the resting place of more than 600 fallen heroes. With deep reverence, the University’s veterans’ delegation offered incense and paid tribute to the fallen heroes. Their names are forever linked to heroic battles and will echo throughout Vietnam forever. “Hail the soldiers of Dien Bien / Heroic soldiers / Heads aflame with iron resolve / Fifty-six days and nights carving into mountains, sleeping in dugouts, enduring relentless rain, eating rice balls / Blood mixed with fresh mud / Courage never faltering / Will never fading / Comrades who laid down their bodies as gun rests / Who blocked embrasures with their heads / Who hurled themselves across mountains of barbed wire / Surging like a storm / Comrades who braced their backs to save the artillery / Bodies crushed, eyes closed, still holding on… / Hands that cut through mountains and rolled away bombs / Determined to open roads for our vehicles to bring reinforcements to the battlefield.”

The University’s veterans’ delegation pays its respects and offers incense at A1 Martyrs’ Cemetery

The veterans’ delegation next visited Hill A1. During the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, Hill A1 occupied a particularly important strategic position, considered the “throat” protecting the central sector and directly guarding General de Castries’ bunker. The assault on the stronghold on Hill A1 was one of the most heroic battles fought by Vietnamese troops and civilians during the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. Thousands of Vietnamese officers and soldiers bravely sacrificed their lives here. Finally, Vietnamese forces gained complete control of the A1 stronghold at 4:00 a.m. on May 7, 1954, throwing open the steel gate and advancing directly into the center of the Dien Bien Phu fortified complex.

The University’s veterans’ delegation visits Hill A1 and poses for a commemorative photo

The University’s veterans’ delegation visits the Dien Bien Phu History Museum

While in Dien Bien, the University’s veterans’ delegation also visited the Dien Bien Phu History Museum, which features many important displays using models, sculptural groups, and nearly 1,000 documents, artifacts, and images… In particular, they viewed firsthand the Panorama painting covering more than 3,000 m² and depicting more than 4,500 figures, recreating the entire Dien Bien Phu Campaign. The painting not only has historical value and conveys a message of yearning for peace, but also serves as a valuable resource, helping preserve revolutionary traditions and pass them on to future generations. During this journey, the delegation also visited de Castries’ bunker, the Dien Bien Phu Victory Monument, and Muong Thanh Bridge… These sites still resonate with the heroic echoes of a battle of historic significance for the entire nation.

The University’s veterans’ delegation visits the Dien Bien Phu Victory Monument and poses for a commemorative photo…

… and General de Castries’ command bunker

Also during this journey, the University’s veterans’ delegation visited and presented gifts to two veterans’ families facing difficult circumstances in Thanh Xuong Commune, Dien Bien District, and proposed building and donating homes for veterans in recognition of their service.

The University’s veterans’ delegation visits and presents gifts to two veterans’ families facing difficult circumstances

Although time has passed, the Dien Bien Phu Victory, “renowned across the five continents and shaking the globe,” will forever remain a glorious milestone in history and a source of pride for the Vietnamese nation. It is a source of spiritual strength, tremendous inspiration, and encouragement, while also offering many valuable lessons for the entire Party, people, and armed forces in building and defending the nation today and in the future. We will forever remember the immense contributions of the officers, soldiers, youth volunteers, frontline civilian laborers, and military personnel and civilians who fought and sacrificed heroically to achieve the Dien Bien Phu Victory.

The trip left members with beautiful, unforgettable memories of the NEU veterans’ journey back to their roots.

Some photos from the trip:

Article and photos: Veterans’ Association and Department of Communications

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.