(VOVWORLD) - The militia forces that fought in the Dien Bien Phu campaign are being honored at an exhibition which opened at the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi on Thursday.
 The exhibition on militia forces in the Dien Bien Phu campaign opens at the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi on April 25, 2019. (Photo: Bui Hang/VOV5) |
On display are 300 documents, photos, and items of the militia forces, who provided the logistics support that make possible the 1954 Dien Bien Phu victory which ended French colonial rule in Vietnam. The exhibition highlights their optimism, courage, love, and daring sacrifice for their homeland.
 Exhibits include items used by sappers. (Photo: Bui Hang/VOV5) |
Nguyen Van Che, a war veteran from Vinh Phuc province, said: “I’m moved to see these precious documents which remind me of the hardships the militiamen endured. I still remember those who were assigned to transport 30 kilograms of rice with their rudimentary bicycles but had only 5 kilograms left when they reached their destination up on the mountain. The other 25 kilograms were used to feed militiamen and soldiers along the way.”
 During the Dien Bien Phu campaigns, militia carried food and ammunition on rudimentary bicycles. (Photo: Bui Hang/VOV5) |
Do Thi Duong, a former militiawoman from Vinh Phuc province, told VOV: “The militia forces were charged with carrying food and ammunition to the front and transferring wounded soldiers from the front back to rear stations. This exhibition has touched my heart. It recalls all the difficulties I had to face when I was a militiawoman.”
 (Photo: Bui Hang/VOV5) |
Divided into three categories, the exhibits describe the activities of the militia forces, the determination of the soldiers and militiamen, and the Party’s wise leadership.
The Dien Bien Phu Campaign under the command of General Vo Nguyen Giap culminated in a victory on May 7, 1954, leading to the signing of the Geneva Accords in which France agreed to withdraw its forces from its colonies in Indochina.