On the occasion of her 94th birthday, Professor, Doctor Nguyen Thi Ngoc Toan, "Dien Bien Bride" - the affectionate name that many people used when referring to the female military medic famous for the "wedding in De Castries bunker" event right after the Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954 - returned to visit the battlefield, the old "wedding ground" with many lingering emotions about a painful, heroic time...
Female military doctors from the past visit a model recreating the work of caring for and treating wounded soldiers in the Dien Bien Phu Historical Victory Museum.
70 years have passed, on the wheelchair had to be pushed by another person to move conveniently on the long journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Dien Bien Phu, the "Dien Bien Bride" Nguyen Thi Ngoc Toan of that time is now in poor health. However, in the erratic hot and cold weather of March in the Northwest, she still tries to visit the old battlefields with her children and grandchildren.
After landing at the airport, her first wish was to visit her comrades who were resting at the A1 Hill Martyrs Cemetery. Entering the cemetery grounds, Ms. Toan asked her relatives to help her stand up to light incense sticks for her comrades while being moved to tears.
Mr. Cao Quy Bao, son of Professor, Doctor Nguyen Thi Ngoc Toan, shared: “Despite her old age and poor health, my mother has always wanted to return to Dien Bien Phu once again. Therefore, on the special occasion of preparing to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory, which is also the occasion of her 94th birthday, the family tried to fulfill her wish so that her joy would be doubled.”
Leaving the A1 Martyrs Cemetery, Ms. Ngoc Toan and her family visited her old "wedding venue" - General De Castries' command bunker. Here, 70 years ago, on May 22, 1954, after the Dien Bien Phu victory, female military doctor Nguyen Thi Ngoc Toan married the Deputy Commander of the 308th Division, Cao Van Khanh (later he became Lieutenant General, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army).
In the sacred and emotional atmosphere, old memories came flooding back: Before she was destined to be with the Deputy Commander of the 308th Regiment, Cao Van Khanh, she was a student at Dong Khanh School, the daughter of a Minister of the Nguyen Dynasty with the birth name Ton Nu Ngoc Toan. When the August Revolution broke out, she volunteered to join the Viet Minh, working in the military medical department. In 1949, she followed her brother-in-law, Professor Dang Van Ngu, to work in the Viet Bac War Zone. In 1949, Mr. Khanh was also transferred to Viet Bac. During a talk with students of the Viet Bac Medical University, he and she met without knowing that this fateful encounter had been secretly arranged by Mr. Vuong Thua Vu, Commander of the 308th Regiment; Le Quang Dao, Director of the Propaganda Department; and Professor Ton That Tung, her teacher.
In 1954, both he and she participated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign. He directly commanded the 308th Division, she worked as a medic at the serious injury area in Tuan Giao. The two had an appointment after the campaign to return to the Viet Bac War Zone to report to their families to hold a wedding ceremony. On the night of May 7, as soon as she heard the news of our total victory at Dien Bien Phu, she and the serious injury surgery station marched all night to enter the center of the battlefield to treat wounded soldiers. Mrs. Ngoc Toan's mission of treating wounded soldiers after May 7, 1954 was quite heavy. Deputy Commander Cao Van Khanh was also busy with work, when he was assigned by the Front Command to command a unit stationed at Dien Bien to solve the problems arising after the victory. The intention to return to the Viet Bac War Zone to hold a wedding was not successful (at this time, Mr. Cao Van Khanh was nearly 40 years old). Suggested by many high-ranking officials, the couple asked General Vo Nguyen Giap for permission to hold their wedding ceremony at De Castries bunker. The wedding ceremony of the two Dien Bien soldiers was held simply, but meaningfully on May 22.
She added that although it was called a wedding, she had prepared almost nothing. The groom was still wearing his military uniform, while the bride had only neatly combed her hair. The underground bunker of General De Castries was decorated with colorful captured parachutes. The tables and chairs were enough for 40-50 guests. In front was a red parachute, with a line cut from a torn map left by the enemy: "Happy marriage, don't forget your duty - May 22, 1954". The party consisted of champagne and candy - spoils of war we captured when the French parachuted down. On the bride's side were medical officers, on the groom's side were officers of the 308th Division and officers and soldiers who stayed behind to clean up the battlefield. It was simple, but the wedding was filled with smiles and blessings in the joy of victory that still lingered, as a testament to a new beginning - peace and happiness.
After the wedding, the bride and groom stood on the tank turret to take a photo, looking at the village and mountains with the belief that life would revive after the war. This photo has become a historical “witness” and not just a personal memory of the couple. On the occasion of returning to Dien Bien this time, the family also brought the photo and presented it to the Dien Bien Phu Provincial Relic Management Board.
Article and photos: Le Phuong
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