Fulfilling the wish to visit the old battlefield of Dien Bien Phu

Dien Bien soldier Nguyen Van Tam and his daughter join the crowd of visitors to the Dien Bien Phu Historical Victory Museum.

On the morning of May 4, Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong (Group 8, Tan Thanh Ward, Dien Bien Phu City) helped her father, Dien Bien soldier Nguyen Van Tam (93 years old, Do Luong District, Nghe An) to visit the Dien Bien Phu Historical Victory Museum. He had just come from his hometown to visit his daughter's family and the old battlefield for 2 days. The long journey made it hard to avoid fatigue, but "the morning he arrived in Dien Bien, he asked his children and grandchildren to take him to visit the martyrs' cemetery and burn incense for his comrades. Today, he woke up very early, wanting to go to the Martyrs' Temple at the Dien Bien Phu Battlefield. His children and grandchildren were worried and tried to stop him because the Temple was steep and had many steps, but he was deeply grateful to those who had fallen, so we had to follow his wishes" - Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong shared. She also added that when he returned here, his spirit was excited, happy, and seemed to be healthier, he only stopped to rest 3-4 times on the long, high steps to the Temple. After getting off, he continued to visit the Dien Bien Phu Historical Victory Museum.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tam was a soldier of the 57th Regiment, 304th Division, participating in the siege and fighting the enemy in the Hong Cum subdivision. At that time, the French built a solid Hong Cum subdivision with a reserve airport to receive reinforcements and supplies. To surround and restrain enemy artillery, the 57th Regiment encircled the enemy's Hong Cum subdivision with horizontal and vertical trenches, forming a tight, continuous battle field around it, cutting it off from the central subdivision, ending the landing of aircraft on the runway at the Hong Cum airport. From April to early May 1954, the trenches of the 57th Regiment increasingly advanced closer to the enemy bunkers, tightening the siege, forcing the enemy to retreat and lose the battle.

Dien Bien soldier Nguyen Van Tam visited and told his daughter stories about old battles.

Revisiting Dien Bien, recalling old memories, Mr. Tam was moved: “In the beginning of the battle, my unit sacrificed a lot, but after changing tactics, we won many victories. Now that I am back here, I personally burn incense for my comrades and brothers who fought together on the battlefield and I cannot help but choke up. You sacrificed for the country's peace. I will forever be grateful! That's why I must come back to visit you on this occasion, probably the last time. That was my only wish, and now that it has come true, I am so happy!”

That joy seemed to give him more strength to make each step more steady, so that this journey of Dien Bien soldier Nguyen Van Tam could be completed. At the Dien Bien Phu Historical Victory Museum, he walked slowly, visiting the circular painting "Dien Bien Phu Campaign", pointing out details, telling stories about the old battle with his daughter. Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong added: "Tomorrow, he wants to visit the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Command Headquarters - where the General worked and commanded our army to victory. He has been preparing for this trip to Dien Bien for a long time. Since the 60th anniversary of the Victory, he said that if he could still walk, he would try to go to Dien Bien to celebrate the 70th anniversary. On this occasion, his children and grandchildren are still hesitant to let him travel a long way, but he insists that he wants to try to go, to fulfill his wish".

Dien Bien soldier Bui Trong Hien (sitting) listens to the explanation of the circular painting "Dien Bien Phu Campaign".

Looking towards Dien Bien on the big anniversary day, soldier Bui Trong Hien (born in 1933), Ward 8, Vung Tau City, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province quietly returned to Dien Bien with his daughter. This was also the first time he visited the old battlefield after 70 years away. The wish seemed simple but it was not until he was 91 that he was able to fulfill it.

At the age of 18, Mr. Hien volunteered from his hometown of Hai Phong to join the army, was assigned to Unit 148, the Northwest Independent Army Corps, with the mission of liberating the Northwest in 1952. After that, he and his comrades were stationed in Dien Bien (former Lai Chau). When the French recaptured Dien Bien Phu in 1953, the Corps continued to share the fire with the Campaign. Mr. Hien's unit was assigned the important responsibility of protecting our artillery, supporting anti-aircraft artillery, at the Hoong Lech forest gate (an area belonging to Thanh Hung, Thanh Chan, Thanh Yen communes, Dien Bien district). After May 7, he and his comrades continued to march to help Laos liberate Phoong Sa Ly. So he was away, taking on many different missions and being caught up in family matters, far away, and separated, Mr. Hien never had the opportunity to return to Dien Bien to visit his comrades and visit the old battlefield.

Dien Bien soldier Bui Trong Hien fulfilled his wish to revisit the old battlefield.

Radiant because his dream had come true, Mr. Hien confided: “When the plane was about to land, looking down at the land of Muong Thanh, emotions welled up in my heart. The fierce, arduous but heroic days, enduring so many bombs and bullets, and sometimes having nothing to eat for many days... came flooding back. When I set foot on Dien Bien Phu, I was already very satisfied, I had to stop and look around carefully. The battlefield of that day has changed so much, it is modern, prosperous and beautiful, not in vain of the blood and sacrifices of my comrades in the past. On this occasion, everyone is also excited with many grand commemorative activities. I am even more proud to have contributed a small part to the Victory.”

Mr. Hien visited Dien Bien from May 2nd until the anniversary on May 7th. He tried to visit 1-2 places every day, martyrs' cemeteries, museums, historical sites associated with the campaign to satisfy his wish.

The wish of Dien Bien soldiers Nguyen Van Tam and Bui Trong Hien to return to the land where they fought and died on the special occasion of the 70th anniversary of the victory has been fulfilled. Joining the crowd visiting destinations and historical sites, once again they were lost in memories, returning to the 18, 20 year old youths full of fighting spirit, meeting their comrades to share the joys and sorrows in their memories...

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