PRESS RELEASE: Key activities for 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory

1. Purpose and meaning of the event celebration The Dien Bien Phu victory on May 7, 1954, which “echoed across five continents and shook the entire world”, was recorded in the nation’s history as a Bach Dang, a Chi Lang or a Dong Da in the twentieth century, with great significance for the Vietnamese and peace-loving people in the world. The victory affirmed the brave, skillful and wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam led by President Ho Chi Minh; the development of the Vietnam People’s Army and the strength of the great unity of the Vietnamese peoples. The victory of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign completely destroyed the Nava plan, dealt a fatal blow to the invasion plot of the French colonialists, created an advantage on the diplomacy at the Geneva Conference, and ended the long and arduous war against French colonialism by the Vietnamese peoples. This is also a great victory of solidarity and friendship, the noble spirit of international cooperation with the great support of China, the Soviet Union and other socialist countries, and the unanimous support of the worldwide peace-loving people; a victory of the solidarity and friendship of the three Indochina countries of Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia. President Ho Chi Minh affirmed “The Dien Bien Phu Victory is a brilliant golden milestone in history”; “That is a great victory for our people as well as a common victory for all oppressed peoples in the world.” The victory left many valuable lessons and experiences that need to continue to be promoted and spread in the cause of building and protecting the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland today and in the future. In 2024, our country celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory on a national scale; this is a great national ceremony drawing attention from many officials, party members, soldiers of the people’s armed forces, veterans, youth volunteers, frontline workers and people of all levels. The organization of propaganda activities commemorating the event aims to arouse and promote the patriotic tradition, revolutionary heroism, and the will to fight and win of the Dien Bien Phu campaign in the cause of construction and firmly defend the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland; honor and deeply express gratitude to the generations of Vietnamese people who have sacrificed themselves and made many contributions to the cause of national liberation and unification. This is also an opportunity for us to be prouder of the glorious Communist Party of Vietnam, of the great President Ho Chi Minh who led the Vietnamese revolution to overcome all challenges to the achieve the glory. The historic victory of Dien Bien Phu will always be a pride and great strength to cheer and encourage cadres, party members and people from all walks of life to strive to overcome difficulties and successfully fulfill the political goals and tasks in 2024, strive for achievements to celebrate the nation’s major holidays, and determine to successfully implement the resolutions of Party Congresses at all levels for the 2020 – 2025 term and the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress. 2. Leadership, direction, guidance and implementation The Party Central Committee’s Secretariat soon directed and issued the policy for the organization of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory; Issued the decision on setting up the Central Steering Committee to celebrate major holidays and important historical events of the country for the three years of 2023 – 2025; approving the Project to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory. The Central Steering Committee organized meetings, issued guiding documents and assigned specific tasks to departments, ministries, branches, central and local organizations to implement commemorative activities. The Prime Minister issued a call for the whole country to look towards the heroic Dien Bien, mobilizing the participation of all levels, sectors, localities and the entire society, contributing to building Dien Bien to increasingly develop and improve the peoples’ standard of living; along with many other related directions, showing the interest of our Party and State in commemorating the event. The Central Propaganda and Training Commission (the standing agency of the Central Steering Committee) has issued guiding documents on organizing the commemorating activities the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (Directive No. September 20, 2022; Directive No. 135-HD/BTGTW dated January 8, 2024) and orientation for event press propaganda in Directive No. 148-HD/BTGTW dated March 22, 2024; At the same time, regularly monitored the implementation process. Agencies, units and localities assigned to host and coordinate for the commemorative activities such as: Dien Bien Province, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Information and Communications, Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Central Vietnam Veterans Association, Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Vietnam Television,… thoroughly directed, developed plans and implemented the task according to the direction of the Secretariat and the guidance of the Central Propaganda and Training Commission. Particularly, Dien Bien province (which was assigned to host organizing major, key activities and is the place of event) established a Provincial Steering Committee, developed and promulgated relevant documents on the implementation direction; timely coordinate with relevant departments, ministries, branches and central agencies to develop detailed programs and plans and implement the tasks to meet the set requirements and progress. 3. Activities implemented to create a joyful atmosphere among people from all walks of life towards the event Various practical activities of departments, ministries, branches, and unions of the Central Government and Dien Bien province have been implemented to ensure the quality and meet the requirements, and have been highly appreciated by public such as: National scientific conferences; meeting and expressing gratitude to Dien Bien soldiers, young volunteers, and frontline workers who directly participated in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign; the campaign to support the construction of great solidarity houses for poor households in Dien Bien province and some Northwest provinces; Cherry Blossom Festival – Dien Bien Phu in 2024; Dien Bien Phu marathon 2024; Dien Bien – Northwest Culture – Tourism Week in Ho Chi Minh City (from December 4-7, 2023), in Hanoi City (from December 15-17, 2023), in Thanh Hoa province (from December 19-17, 2023). January 21, 2024); Opening of Dien Bien National Tourism Year and Ban Flower Festival 2024 on March 16, 2024; Exhibition “Women with Dien Bien” on March 4, 2024; Launching a campaign to compose and promote songs, Music Month “Dien Bien song” on March 19, 2024; Exhibition of large poster posters and venue for a mobile propaganda contest on commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory; National professional music and dance festival; Film week on commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory; National Librarian Festival propagates for the development of reading culture and book introduction; Launching a painting contest for teenagers and children about the Dien Bien Phu Victory and images of Dien Bien today; Organizing the journey “Dien Bien Phu – River aspirations” and the Competition to learn about 70 years of Dien Bien Phu Victory combined with the 70 years of signing the Geneva Agreement on ending the hostilities in Vietnam… Along with these, news agencies, especially major newspapers, have issued many news routes, articles, reports, and programs on publications and platforms to propagate this event and report on commemorative activities and training process of forces participating in military parades and marching. Promoting the spirit of self-reliance in difficult conditions, Dien Bien province has made efforts to balance resources and focus on leading and directing the completion of works and projects to serve the activities and celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory such as: Completing 5,000 supported Great Solidarity houses in Dien Bien province; Completing a number of construction projects to restore and embellish monuments, renovating and embellishing a number of relics and urban areas to promptly put them into use to serve the commemorative activities; submitted to the Government for decision to announce investment before the anniversary, including 02 projects: (1) Rural power supply project from the national grid; (2) Project to preserve and renovate the Dien Bien Phu stronghold group center combined with renovating the green tree system at relic sites, completing investment procedures, speeding up the implementation of a number of projects mobilizing socialized resources: Uncle Ho Memorial House Construction Project and additional investment in a number of construction items at E2 Hill Relics … Many projects to celebrate the 70th anniversary of victory are being implemented as planned such as: Uncle Ho Memorial House construction project and additional investment in a number of construction items at E2 Hill Relics; Artistic lighting system project for Hill A1 and Hill D1 relics under the special national relic of Dien Bien Phu battlefield, … 4. Key activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory implemented until May 7, 2024 (in chronological order) 4.1. Organizing activities and opening the Press Center to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 – May 7, 2024), including: – Opening of the Press Center for the 70th Anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954-May 7, 2024) – Issued a set of stamps on commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory. – Exhibition of 33 the Special People’s Army newspaper issues published at the Dien Bien Phu front in 1954. + Time: From 3:30 p.m. on May 5, 2024 (Sunday). + Location: Hall on the 1st floor, Dien Bien Province Cultural and Convention Center, No. 845, Vo Nguyen Giap street, Muong Thanh ward, Dien Bien Phu city, Dien Bien province. 4.2. Live broadcast program “Under the flag of victory” commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory was conducted by Vietnam Television under the direction of the Central Propaganda and Training Commission from 05 bridge points: Hanoi (Ba Dinh Square, Hung Vuong street, Ba Dinh district); Dien Bien (Ceremony area, Dien Bien Phu Victory Monument at Hill D1, Dien Bien Phu city); Ho Chi Minh City (Thu Ngu flagpole relic area, Ton Duc Thang street, District 1); Thanh Hoa (Lam Son Square, Phan Chu Trinh Street, Dong Tho Ward, Thanh Hoa City); Kon Tum (Kon Klor communal house, Bac Kan street, Thang Loi ward, Kon Tum city). The program will be broadcast live on VTV1 channel – Vietnam Television at 8:00 p.m. on May 5, 2024 with the participation of the Party and State leaders; Leaders of departments, ministries, branches, central and local organizations, and people from all walks of life in 5 localities setting up the bridge points; the program is staged with meaningful content, many attractive art performances, and the highlight is the light show of drones. 4.3. Organizing a visit to the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh and commemorating heroic martyrs at the Memorial on Bac Son Street in Hanoi at 7:30 a.m. on May 6, 2024; Ceremony of visiting heroic martyrs and visiting historical relics in Dien Bien Phu City at 2:00 p.m. on May 6, 2024. 4.4. Special art program will be held at 8:00 p.m. on May 6, 2024 at May 7 Square, Dien Bien Phu city, Dien Bien province. The program is chaired by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with Dien Bien province; There will be high-altitude fireworks display after the end of the show. The program will be broadcast live on Vietnam Television and broadcast to all localities nationwide. 4.5. Organizing the incense and flower offering Ceremony at the Martyrs’ Temple at Dien Bien Phu Battlefield: from 06:30 on May 7, 2024, the delegates gather in the reception area and move to the Temple’s yard; at exactly 07:00, on May 7, 2024, the Incense Offering Ceremony is going to begin. Participants: Leaders, former leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front; leaders of central departments, ministries, branches and organizations; leaders of Dien Bien province and representatives of the armed forces, veterans, former youth volunteers, former people’s police, representatives of ethnic people of Dien Bien province. 4.6. Celebration, parade, marching: At 07:45, May 7, 2024 at Dien Bien Provincial Stadium, Dien Bien Phu city, Dien Bien province. – Name of organization: Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, National Assembly, State President, Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Central Committee of Vietnam Fatherland Front and Dien Bien province. – Invited guests: Leaders, former leaders of the Party, State, Vietnam Fatherland Front, departments, ministries, branches, central organizations, provinces, cities and representatives of Dien Bien province (approximately 900 delegates). For international guests, up to April 16, 2024, 270 international delegates and foreign press reporters confirmed to attend the event (including Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Chansamose Chanyalath; French Minister of the Army and Secretary of State in charge of Veterans and War Memories; a Chinese Deputy State leader is expected to attend). – Detailed program: + Flag Salute Ceremony. + Declaring the reason and introducing the delegates. + Party and State leaders make commemorative speeches. + Speech by representative of Dien Bien Phu Soldiers. + Speech by representative of the young generation. + Ceremony of awarding the First – Class Independence Order to Dien Bien province. + Parade and marching program: Participation of about 12,000 people, including all forces of the Army, Militia and Self-Defense Force and Police, departments and social organizations. The highlights of the program are the performance of the ceremonial artillery guns and the Vietnamese People’s Air Force. The Organizing Committee would like to recommend that press agencies closely follow the instructions and documents on directing and orienting propaganda issued by the Central Propaganda and Training Commission; Pay attention to popular, regular and continuous propaganda about the Dien Bien Phu Victory, the Anniversary and key activities from now until May 7, 2024 by maximum dissemination of the informative articles about the event, creating an atmosphere of joy, excitement, and trust among people of all walks of life, spreading throughout the Party and the entire society. Particularly, it is necessary to deepen the stature, historical significance, and lessons learned from the Victory; affirming the Party’s ingenious and wise leadership, Vietnam’s intelligence and strength in the Ho Chi Minh era; the faithful and unwavering solidarity of the three Indochina countries, the valuable support and assistance of international friends for our people’s rightful resistance war; strongly arouse the patriotism and national pride for every Vietnamese person; applying and promoting the spirit of victory in the cause of national innovation, international integration and the responsibilities of all levels, sectors, and each official, party member and civilian for the task of building the country with prosperity, happiness and firmly protect the Socialist Fatherland of Vietnam. Kind regards!