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The 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory officially began with 21 rounds of fireworks accompanied by the national anthem. At the same time as the flag-raising ceremony, a flight of 9 helicopters carrying the Party and national flags flew over the main stage.

Delegates in the stands attending the Celebration Ceremony. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA)

On the morning of May 7, in Dien Bien Phu city, the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly, the President, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Dien Bien province solemnly held the ceremony to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 2024).

Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh read the Commemorative Speech.

Attending the ceremony were: former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh; former President Nguyen Minh Triet; former President Truong Tan Sang; former President Nguyen Xuan Phuc; former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; former Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Van An; Politburo member, Permanent member of the Secretariat, Head of the Central Organizing Committee, Head of the Central Steering Committee to celebrate major holidays and important historical events of the country in the three years 2023-2025 Truong Thi Mai; Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan; Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man; Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien.

Also attending the ceremony were: Politburo members, former Politburo members; Party Central Committee Secretaries, former Party Central Committee Secretaries; former Vice Presidents; Deputy Prime Ministers, former Deputy Prime Ministers; Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly, former Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly; Party Central Committee members; leaders of central departments, ministries, branches, and organizations and leaders of a number of provinces and centrally-run cities; revolutionary veterans, heroic Vietnamese mothers, heroes of the people's armed forces, heroes of labor, generals in the people's armed forces; representatives of Dien Bien Phu soldiers, veterans, former people's police, former youth volunteers, frontline laborers, forces participating in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign and the resistance war against the French colonialists; provincial leaders and representatives of families of war invalids, martyrs, and families with meritorious services to the country in Dien Bien province.

International guests attending the ceremony included: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Chansamone Chanyalath; Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia Neth Savoeun; Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Zhang Qingwei; Minister of the Armed Forces of the French Republic Sébastien Lecornu; representatives of foreign representative agencies in Vietnam, defense attaches of other countries and representatives of Vietnamese people abroad.

Helicopters carrying the Party and national flags fly over the ceremony platform. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

In particular, the Ceremony was honored to receive a congratulatory flower basket from Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conveyed the congratulations, most sincere and warmest feelings and wishes for the success of the Ceremony from General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to all delegates, compatriots, comrades and soldiers nationwide.

The opening ceremony was an artistic formation with the theme “The Epic of Dien Bien” performed by artists and soldiers of the Army Ceremonial Corps; followed by a drum performance with the participation of 1,000 actors who are students of the People’s Police Academy along with 400 drums of various sizes, a flag team, and a dragon dance team.

The official rally began with 21 rounds of fireworks to the national anthem. At the same time as the flag-raising ceremony, a team of 9 helicopters carrying the Party and national flags flew over the main stage.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivers a speech commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)

The speech commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, delivered by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on behalf of the Party and State, expressed infinite gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap; recorded and expressed gratitude to the great contributions of predecessors, heroic martyrs, heroic Vietnamese mothers, heroes of the people's armed forces, generations of cadres, generals, officers, soldiers, youth volunteers, frontline laborers, wounded and sick soldiers, martyrs' families, and all armed forces and our people across the country who devoted themselves to fighting bravely, sacrificing themselves, and contributing to the historic Dien Bien Phu Victory "Resounding throughout the five continents, shaking the world." sincerely grateful for the valuable, wholehearted and righteous support and assistance of China, the former Soviet Union, socialist countries, international friends, progressive and peace-loving forces around the world, especially the brotherly countries of Laos and Cambodia in the solidarity fighting alliance of the Three Indochinese countries for the Dien Bien Phu Campaign in particular and the national liberation struggle of the Vietnamese people in general.

Reviewing the arduous, heroic, resilient, and long-term struggle of the nation against the French colonialists, the Prime Minister emphasized that, after “Fifty-six days and nights of digging mountains, sleeping in tunnels, pouring rain, eating rice balls, blood mixed with mud/ liver not shaken, will not worn out...” with “bare feet”, a spirit of steel and the indomitable, persistent, and heroic fighting will of our army and people, the Dien Bien Phu Campaign won a resounding victory, dealing a decisive blow, defeating the final effort of the French colonialists in the war of aggression against Vietnam.

This was the pinnacle of victory of the resistance war "All people, comprehensive, long-term, relying mainly on one's own strength", the victory of the spirit "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom" was the crystallization of Vietnam's strength in the Ho Chi Minh era; forcing the French colonialists to sign the Geneva Agreement (July 21, 1954) on the cessation of hostilities in Vietnam; creating the basis and premise for the liberation and construction of the North in transition to socialism and a solid foundation for the cause of fighting to liberate the South and unify the country.

According to the Prime Minister, the historic victory of Dien Bien Phu was a momentous event, not only significant for the Vietnamese Revolution, but also became an immortal heroic epic that urged movements to fight for national liberation, marking the collapse of old colonialism around the world, as President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: “It was a great victory of our people, but also a common victory of all oppressed peoples in the world. The victory of Dien Bien Phu further illuminates the truth of Marxism-Leninism in today's era: The imperialist war of aggression is bound to fail, the liberation revolution of the peoples is bound to succeed.”

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presented the First Class Independence Medal to the Party Committee, government and people of Dien Bien province. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)

The Prime Minister said that the historic victory of Dien Bien Phu left many valuable lessons, 70 years have passed, but those lessons are still valuable for today's and future generations. Firstly, determining the correct resistance path, conducting people's war, all-people, all-round, both resistance and nation-building, creating a combined strength to defeat all invaders.

Second, promote the spirit of patriotism and the determination to fight and win of our entire Party, people and army.

Third, promote the spirit of independence, self-reliance, self-strengthening, proactiveness, flexibility, creativity, correctly determine the revolutionary war path and military art, and people's war art of Vietnam.

Fourth, build and consolidate the strength of the great national unity bloc, the core of which is the worker-peasant-intellectuals alliance under the leadership of the glorious Communist Party of Vietnam.

Fifth, closely, harmoniously and effectively combine national strength with the strength of the times, domestic strength with the support and assistance of international friends.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pointed out that by promoting the spirit of Dien Bien Phu victory, our nation has achieved many great victories, continuing the heroic epic of the Ho Chi Minh era, establishing glorious feats such as the 1972 “Dien Bien Phu in the Air” Victory and the peak of the Great Spring Victory in 1975 with the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign. After the country was reunified, we focused on restoring the socio-economy, fighting to protect the Fatherland’s borders, and fulfilling our noble international obligations, helping the Cambodian people overthrow and escape the genocidal regime.

After nearly 40 years of carrying out the renovation and international integration under the leadership of the Party, Vietnam has achieved great and historic achievements, as General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stated: "With all modesty, we can still say that: Our country has never had the foundation, potential, position and international prestige as it does today."

From a poor, backward country that suffered the most pain and loss after World War II, Vietnam has become a middle-income developing country; GDP per capita increased 58 times compared to the early period of renovation, reaching 4,300 USD in 2023; belonging to the group of 40 largest economies in the world and the group of 20 countries with the largest trade scale globally. Vietnam is recognized by the United Nations as one of the leading countries in implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and is striving for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

From a country under siege and embargo, Vietnam has now established diplomatic relations with 193 countries, expanded economic and trade relations with 230 countries and territories, and is a model of healing and restoring post-war wounds. The socio-political situation is stable; national defense and security are consolidated and enhanced; social order and safety are ensured; national independence and sovereignty are maintained; foreign affairs and international integration are promoted; a peaceful, stable and favorable environment for cooperation and development is maintained.

Assessing the situation in the coming time, especially the difficulties and challenges, the Prime Minister believes that our country will continue to arouse and strongly promote the spirit of determination to fight and win of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign of the past; be more excited and proud of the heroic historical tradition of the nation and previous generations, strengthen the belief and see clearly the responsibility to the country in the present and the future; overcome difficulties and challenges, and strive with the highest determination to continue to create "new Dien Bien Phu" miracles in the cause of building and defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.

The whole country vows to advance under the glorious flag of the Party, join hands and unite, consolidate the great national unity bloc, focus on: Building socialist democracy, building a socialist rule-of-law State of the people, by the people, for the people and building a socialist-oriented market economy; effectively implementing the policy: Socio-economic development is the center; Party building is the key, cadre work is the "key of the keys"; cultural development is the spiritual foundation, endogenous strength; ensuring national defense and security is essential and constant to realize the aspiration of building a socialist Vietnam that is increasingly rich, democratic, prosperous, civilized and happy.

The Prime Minister believes that the heroic and glorious history of our nation with the immortal spirit of Dien Bien Phu, the difficulties will be resolved, the challenges will be overcome to continue writing the epics of victory with all the determination, perseverance, endurance, enthusiasm, national pride, love for the homeland and country of today's and future generations, as taught by beloved Uncle Ho: "Nothing is difficult, Only fear the heart is not steadfast, Digging mountains and filling seas, with determination, it will be done."

Scene of the ceremony. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA)

Speaking at the ceremony, reviewing the arduous and heroic struggle, Veteran Pham Duc Cu, representative of Dien Bien soldiers and forces participating in the Dien Bien Phu campaign, expressed his pride in having contributed part of his efforts to the Dien Bien Phu victory and to building Dien Bien in particular and the beautiful country as it is today; determined to always promote the good traditional qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers, be exemplary in lifestyle, comply with and implement the Party's guidelines and the State's laws and policies; hoping that current and future generations will always remember, be proud of and promote the glorious traditions of the nation, creating new miracles in the cause of building and defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.

Union member Vu Quynh Anh, representative of the young generation of Vietnam, expressed her happiness and pride in being born in peace, in the historic land of Dien Bien; vowed to remember the contributions of generations of fathers and brothers who have contributed and built; considered this as a valuable asset on the path of studying, establishing a career and building a career; vowed not to be afraid of difficulties and hardships, ready to go anywhere, do anything the Fatherland needs, join hands with the community, determined to firmly protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland, participate in maintaining security and order, for the peaceful life of the people; carrying the pioneering aspirations of youth and the common aspirations of the whole nation, contributing to building our country more and more prosperous.

On this occasion, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh awarded the First Class Independence Medal to the Party Committee, government and people of all ethnic groups in Dien Bien province for their outstanding achievements in contributing to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Trong Binh, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, on the command vehicle leading the parade. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)

Immediately after the rally was the parade celebrating the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory with the participation of more than 12,000 people. Along with other activities of the Celebration, this was an activity that tens of thousands of people of all ethnic groups in Dien Bien province and all over the country enthusiastically awaited and cheered.

The forces participating in the parade include the ceremonial groups with model cars of the National Emblem, Party flag, Fatherland flag, cars carrying President Ho Chi Minh's photo, model cars symbolizing the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory; armed forces such as the Army, Militia, Police, veterans, youth volunteers, frontline workers; mass parade groups and artistic parade groups such as workers, farmers, intellectuals, youth, women, ethnic groups of the Northwest, and the arts group.

The parade and march of the armed forces, militia, veterans, youth volunteers, and frontline laborers with even, strong, and beautiful movements demonstrate the discipline, growth, and maturity of the revolutionary armed forces; ensuring the fighting strength to protect the Fatherland and protect the People.

Peacekeeping Force officers marching. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)

The parade of workers, farmers, intellectuals, youth, women, ethnic groups in the Northwest, and the art group recreated the heroic spirit of the historic Dien Bien Phu Victory "famous in five continents, shaking the world"; demonstrating the spirit and invincible strength of the great national unity bloc; the tradition of patriotism, the will of self-reliance and self-improvement; enthusiastically competing in labor production, innovation and creativity.

The parade program encourages and motivates the entire Party, people and army to uphold the revolutionary nature, promote the heroic national tradition, the spirit of determination to fight and win; the aspiration to develop a prosperous and happy country; successfully carry out the cause of building and defending the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam; and contribute to the movement for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress around the world.

Leaders and former leaders of the Party and State pay tribute to heroic martyrs. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

Earlier the same morning, the delegation of the Party Central Committee, National Assembly, President, Government, and Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh offered flowers and incense at the Martyrs' Temple at Dien Bien Phu Battlefield.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong sent wreaths to pay tribute to heroic martyrs.

The Prime Minister and the delegation respectfully commemorated and expressed their infinite gratitude to the great President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap, the heroic martyrs, armed forces soldiers, youth volunteers, frontline laborers, and compatriots who heroically sacrificed their lives in the Dien Bien Phu market, contributing to the Dien Bien Phu victory - a golden milestone, an immortal heroic epic of the nation./.

According to VNA

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/viet-tiep-nhung-ban-hung-ca-213530.htm