Thousands gather for 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu triumph over France
War veterans, soldiers and dignitaries gathered in the country’s Dien Bien Phu to mark the 70th anniversary of the battle that ultimately brought an end to the French empire in Indochina.

Vietnam had invited for the first time a government minister from the former colonial power to attend official celebrations, which involved 12,000 people, a gun salute and howitzer and helicopter displays.

French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh were among those attending the two-hour event yesterday that drew huge attention from tourists and residents of northwestern Dien Bien province, which borders Laos.

As celebrations began before a crowd of 10,000 in Dien Bien Phu city’s stadium, 90-year-old veteran Pham Duc Cu spoke on behalf of his fallen comrades.

“It moves me to remember the people who died to achieve this earth-shaking victory,” he said.

“The war has passed. We are so proud to have contributed to making a heroic and beautiful Dien Bien.”

In his opening speech, Chinh said the battle of Dien Bien Phu represented a “victory for justice”, marking the collapse of colonialism.

Spectacular tribute: Armed police marching during a parade.— AFP

“Many martyrs cannot be identified,” he said. “Their blood in this northwestern area was shed for our happiness today.”

The speeches followed 21 rounds of fireworks and the Vietnamese national anthem before a huge military parade got under way.

Eleven helicopters flew over the stadium carrying the flags of Vietnam and the Communist Party.

Outside the stadium, thousands of people wearing ao dai – the traditional Vietnamese dress – as well as people wearing clothes typical of local Thai and Hmong ethnic minorities queued in the streets to see the parade.

“I’ve been here since 4am,” said Nguyen Thi Lan, 55. “It’s a great day that I cannot miss.”

France surrendered to the attacking Viet Minh on May 7, 1954, putting an end to 56 days of shelling and hand-to-hand combat.

Veterans watch the parade commemorating the anniversary at a stadium in Dien Bien Phu city. —AP

Around 13,000 people were reported dead or missing during the conflict, including 10,000 from the Viet Minh side.

“I fired a shot which hit two people, killing one on the spot and the other one with one more shot,” recalled veteran infantry soldier Hoang Van Bay, 93.

“Injuries and deaths were normal on the battlefield, nothing to be scared of. We fought for our independence and freedom,” Bay said, adding he visits his fallen comrades at Dien Bien Phu city’s cemetery every year.

The French force – about 15,000 men of many nationalities – had underestimated the firepower of the communist forces, who managed to install artillery on the hills overlooking the French camp.

In a staggering feat of military logistics, the Viet Minh had transported the heavy weaponry in pieces hundreds of kilometres through the jungle, sometimes by bicycle.

Their victory later led to the Geneva Accords on July 21, 1954, which marked the end of almost a century of French domination in Indochina and the partition of Vietnam, a prelude to future American involvement. — AFP
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War veterans, soldiers and dignitaries gathered in the country’s Dien Bien Phu to mark the 70th anniversary of the battle that ultimately brought an end to the French empire in Indochina.