Dien Bien Phu Victory Monument

63 years after the war, everything in the Dien Bien Phu Victory relic site has been maintained to mark a triumphant historical period of Vietnam’s struggle for national independence. In May thousands of people nationwide, including war veterans, return to Dien Bien Phu’s former battle fields.

Veteran Pham Thang shares his feelings: "Standing on A1 Hill, once a fierce battle field, I feel deep gratitude for local people who have built Dien Bien province today. I pay tribute to my fallen comrades and hope that contemporary people remember that hundreds of soldiers died to take control of A1 Hill.”

A1 Hill

The Dien Bien Phu Victory covers 45 sites including the headquarters of the Vietnam People’s Army, the De Castries bunker, A1 Hill, the Victory Monument,  and the Victory Museum. The museum, which is located opposite the cemetery of martyrs on the A1 Hill, has 5 sections displaying 400 items and photos of the Dien Bien Phu campaign.

The most impressive site is the headquarters of the Vietnam People’s Army hidden in the jungle in Muong Phang commune. The sentry box, observatory tower, communication trenches, and the shelter of General Vo Nguyen Giap, the Commander-in-chief of the Vietnam People’s Army during the Dien Bien Phu campaign can be found there.

Visitors, particularly French tourists, are interested in General De Castries’s bunker in the center of Dien Bien Phu in Muong Thanh field. Didiel is a French tourist: “We want to learn about Vietnam’s history of struggle for national independence. I feel sorry for the French defeating, but I’m content with the victory of freedom and independence. The victory is beyond the military framework and the standard of win and lose. It proves that the Vietnamese nation united as one.”

People, who were born and grew up in peaceful times, visit Dien Bien Phu relic sites to enrich their knowledge. Watching the war remnants, young people are proud of their predecessors’ victory 63 years ago.

Nguyễn Bích Ngọc of Lang Son province said: “I knew about the Dien Bien Phu victory on books and TV programs. This is the first time I come here to learn how our ancestors fought invaders. I feel the sacred ambience here. We visit the A1 Hill and De Castries bunker and offer incense on the martyr’s cemetery."

Along with tours to historical sites, Dien Bien province has organized cultural and sports events involving local ethnic people. Dien Bien Phu, which was smashed by bomb craters and trances 63 years ago, has risen into a modern city where people enjoy peaceful and prosperous lives.

Le Phuong