A corner of General Vo Nguyen Giap forest. (Photo: VOV)

The forest in Nhot hamlet covers an area of about 200 hectares between two mountain ranges. In 1954, while marching from Yen Bai province to Dien Bien province to command the Dien Bien Phu campaign, General Giap and the liberation army bivouacked in the forest. Since then the local people have called it "General Vo Nguyen Giap forest".

Over the past 7 decades, the forest with several types of perennial treeshas been protected by villagers. Lo Van Linh is chief of Nhot hamletand head of the local rangerteam.

“I’m proud to be part of the ranger team protecting General Vo Nguyen Giap forest. We patrol the forest three times a week and encourage our offspring to protect it,” Linh said.

In 2008 Son La authorities recognized General Vo Nguyen Giap forest as a provincial historical relic. In 2021 a temple dedicated to General Giap was built at the site.

Dinh Cong Son guards the Vo Nguyen Giap forest.

Dinh Cong Son, who guarded the forest for nearly 30 years, now guards the temple. Son says that, despite his age, he’ll continue to work with the villagers to preserve the relic site. 

“I’m proud to work here and tell visitors, especially school pupils, about the temple and our ancestors’ triumphant history. It’s my honor to guard the temple and burn incense on the altar every day,” Son said.  

General Vo Nguyen Giap’s Temple

Visitors not only learn about the liberation army participating in the Dien Bien Phu campaign but also enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the forest and the temple.  

“I’m very proud of our ancestors’ merits. As a young person, I feel a responsibility to introduce the historical importance of this place to other people,” said visitor Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh.

General Vo Nguyen Giap forest has been a constant reminder of the triumphant victory of the legendary General and his army 70 years ago.