HANOI -- Vietnam commemorated the 70th anniversary of its victory over French forces in Dien Bien Phu, a town in the northwest of the country, on May 7, reflecting on its historic fight for independence and freedom. The scars of the decisive battle, which brought an end to French colonial rule, can still be seen.
The ceremony, honoring the sacrifice and unity of the Vietnamese people, also highlighted the ongoing issues of corruption and power struggles within the Vietnamese Communist Party.
Nestled 450 kilometers west of the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, the valley town of Dien Bien Phu was abuzz with preparations two days before the anniversary. Soldiers in crisp uniforms and Public Security Ministry officers were stationed everywhere. Siren-blaring escort vehicles shuttled dignitaries back and forth, creating a tense atmosphere.
The First Indochina War began in 1946, shortly after the end of World War II. Under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh, the founder of the Indochina Communist Party, the Vietnamese forces clashed with the French in a determined fight for independence.
Plagued by Vietnam's relentless guerrilla tactics, the French focused on Dien Bien Phu, a town in a valley near the Laotian border. Armed with American-supplied weapons, the French forces airlifted elite troops to the area and constructed massive fortifications. The French strategy was to lure the Vietnamese, who lacked air power and had difficulty transporting weapons, into the valley to annihilate them.
The plan, however, was foiled.
The Vietnamese displayed remarkable ingenuity and determination. They manually hauled massive artillery pieces across mountainous terrain and transported supplies on bicycles. Tens of thousands of soldiers gathered, outnumbering their French opponents. They amassed a formidable force that ultimately overwhelmed the French.
The Vietnamese people demonstrated astonishing unity in the critical battle, which decided Vietnam's independence. Nguyen Van Ky, a 92-year-old veteran, reflected on the battle, saying, "I wasn't afraid because I knew that someday I would die." He vividly remembers that out of 171 comrades he dined with one night, only a squad's worth -- no more than 50 -- survived the next day's fighting.
The former soldier recounted that there were more enemy troops than expected in the French positions occupied by Vietnamese forces, and he "walked over the bodies."
Many soldiers are still missing, with families continuing their search. Next to Hill A1, called Eliane by the French, the site of fierce fighting, there is a cemetery filled with nameless graves. A man, visiting one such grave, shared his story: "My father died in this battle when I was just a child. He was missing for so long. But with the help of a medium who can communicate with the dead, I finally reached his resting place."
On May 7, 1954, after grueling days of combat, the Vietnamese forces achieved a monumental victory, compelling the French to withdraw from Vietnam and the Indochina Peninsula. The triumph marked the end of colonial rule, but also set the stage for the Vietnam War -- the Second Indochina War -- a conflict with the U.S. that lasted until 1975, driven by American fears of communism spreading in the region.
The anniversary parade, held on May 7 this year, saw 12,000 people march through Dien Bien Phu, with citizens and tourists cheering along the route. "I want new generations never to forget the people who gave us independence and freedom," said 94-year-old Bui Kim Dieu, who survived the epic battle.
The ceremony was attended by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other leaders of the Communist Party, but notable absences included Vietnam's top leader, General-Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who is rumored to be in poor health.
Recently ousted top officials, including former President Vo Van Thuong and former National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, who were ousted in March and April, also did not attend. Corruption and internal power struggles within the Communist Party cast a shadow over the event.
The Communist Party, increasingly driven by self-interest and infighting, is getting frosty glances from the public.
Prime Minister Chinh, in his speech, called for "the creation of a new Dien Bien Phu," invoking a legacy of valor and pledging to overcome international and economic challenges.
But the historic victory was achieved under the trusted leadership of figures like Ho Chi Minh and Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap. Whether today's Communist Party can rally the Vietnamese people in the same way is an open question.
