Heroic memories of Dien Bien Phu Victory

In the first days of the historic month of May, every Vietnamese citizen looks forward to commemorating the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954) that "resounded throughout the five continents and shook the world".

These days, the heroic memories of the war come back to every Dien Bien soldier. After 70 years, the veterans who participated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign living in Da Nang, although old, the arduous, proud, heroic time of their youth is still engraved in their minds.

Participating in transporting food from the front line to the Dien Bien Phu battlefield in 1954, Ms. Vuong Thi Xuan Vy (born in 1933, originally from Dong Son district, Thanh Hoa province) currently living in Thanh Khe district, Da Nang city, recalled: “When I was 18 years old, the whole country was boiling with excitement to fight the French. Responding to the call for all people to participate in transporting food to serve the Dien Bien Phu campaign, with the desire to follow the revolution, I joined the Central Youth Volunteers, and was assigned to team 34. My job at first was to transport food from Thanh Hoa to Dien Bien Phu”.

On May 7, 1954, the historic Dien Bien Phu campaign ended in victory, the entire enemy stronghold in Dien Bien Phu was destroyed by our army, the "Determination to fight, determination to win" flag fluttered on the roof of General De Castries' bunker. Photo: VNA file

Ms. Vy said: “Back then, to transport food to Dien Bien Phu, we had to cross hundreds of kilometers of steep mountain passes, clearing the way as the roads were cut off by bombs. Transporting through the forest, we had to save food, giving each other handfuls of rice, sometimes the meals were improved with wild vegetables. Although there were times when we were hungry, times when we were full, no one showed any fatigue or fear. We all had an iron will, united and obeyed all orders from our superiors. When the food arrived, we were very happy, joyful and always had faith that our army would win.”

Participating in the Dien Bien Phu campaign, Ms. Vy was also assigned to carry ammunition and dig trenches. She fulfilled all her duties and contributed to the Dien Bien Phu victory. After the campaign, returning to peacetime, she was assigned to work on traffic projects, building roads and bridges, and then worked at the Hanoi Locomotive Enterprise. After 1975, Ms. Vy followed her husband and moved to Da Nang city.

Also participating in the Dien Bien Phu campaign, Mr. Nguyen Van Y (born in 1931, from Dien Ban district, Quang Nam province) currently living in Son Tra district, Da Nang city proudly recalls: “I joined the army at the age of 18. Not long after joining the army, the unit assigned me to participate in the Dien Bien Phu campaign. At the battlefield, I was assigned to dig trenches and participate in combat. In the midst of the “rain of bombs and bullets”, we had to take advantage of every minute, every second to take turns digging each square meter of trench. Regardless of day or night, hunger or thirst, we were always determined to win. During the war, I had to witness many comrades fall while carrying out their duties, but each soldier did not show any fear. Because, when participating in the campaign, we were determined to sacrifice for the Fatherland, for the independence and freedom of the nation”.

“I am fortunate to witness the country being peaceful and developing, and the people being prosperous and happy. To have what we have today, countless soldiers and people have shed their blood to take back every inch of land. Therefore, the younger generation needs to continue the tradition of their ancestors, making efforts to build and develop a rich and prosperous country and homeland,” Mr. Y said.

Vice Chairman of the Da Nang City Veterans Association Huynh Ba Thanh said that Da Nang City currently has 24 veterans who participated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign who are still alive. They also often give their enthusiastic opinions on local activities. The city always respects and learns from the example of Dien Bien soldiers in the cause of building and developing Da Nang. Every year, organizations and units organize visits to encourage, express gratitude and appreciation to Dien Bien soldiers in the cause of national liberation.

According to VNA/Tin Tuc Newspaper

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