The Epic Battle of Dien Bien Phu - 70th Anniversary and Battlefield Tour (video and pictorial)

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu, fought from 13 March to 7 May 1954, was a pivotal Vietnamese military victory that ended French colonial rule in Vietnam. This battle led to the division of the country into North Vietnam and South Vietnam, setting the stage for further conflict and, ultimately, the Vietnam War involving America and its allies. Located in the northwest of Vietnam, this epic battle saw nearly 15,000 French Union troops face off against 50,000 North Vietnamese soldiers (Viet Minh) and almost 100,000 civilians who supported logistics efforts, transporting supplies to the front lines on foot and by bicycle. 

The battle required huge logistical efforts from both sides. After securing the valley floor of Dien Bien Phu in November 1953, the French fortified their position, relying on parachute drops and cargo aircraft for supplies, delivered via two runways. Ten tanks were parachuted in parts and assembled by Foreign Legionnaires, while 105mm and 155mm cannons, jeeps, bulldozers, ammunition, and other essential supplies were brought in. An underground hospital was built near the French command post. Key to their defence of the French fortress were several strongpoints, heavily fortified centres of resistance with artillery, machine guns, and trenches manned by various French, Colonial, and Foreign Legion battalions. 

The Viet Minh, confronted with substantial logistical obstacles, lacked aircraft and had restricted road access for transporting supplies to the distant French fortress encircled by mountains, 325 kilometres from Hanoi. Instead, their soldiers and labourers carried most of the heavy artillery pieces through jungles and over mountains to the surrounding hills, evading detection by French reconnaissance planes. Despite exposure to harsh conditions and a scarcity of medical supplies, the Viet Minh successfully positioned sufficient weaponry, soldiers, and supplies to ready themselves for an assault on the French fortress. 

The battle began on 13 March 1954, with Viet Minh cannon fire raining down on the French positions. The fight lasted for 56 days, featuring heroics on both sides. Viet Minh soldiers exhibited extraordinary bravery, sacrificing themselves to form human bridges over barbed wire or block French machine gun fire. They fought hand-to-hand against the French at several strongpoints. Meanwhile, French troops, vastly outnumbered and under constant fire, showed remarkable resilience, counterattacking and regaining lost ground, despite dwindling supplies and ammunition. Wounded French soldiers returned to battle, some with severe injuries, to hold off the Viet Minh. 

On 7 May 1954, the Viet Minh had destroyed most of the French strongpoints, incapacitated the airfield, and destroyed French artillery pieces and several tanks. By afternoon, the French command ordered a ceasefire, and General Christian De Castries’s command post was surrendered, marking a decisive victory for the Viet Minh. Thousands of French supporting troops were marched to jungle prison camps, with many perishing during the march or in captivity. 

The Viet Minh’s victory occurred just one day before the Geneva Conference in Switzerland was set to discuss the withdrawal of French forces from Vietnam, providing Ho Chi Minh and General Giap with a strong negotiating position. The Geneva Accords, finalised on 20 July 1954, outlined the process for the French withdrawal from Vietnam, ending nearly a century of French rule in Indochina. This agreement also led to the partition of Vietnam, setting the stage for future American (and Australian) involvement. 

The Dien Bien Phu battlefield is the most preserved battlefield in Vietnam, offering numerous sites to explore. For schools and special interest groups studying the French colonial period, the Cold War, revolutions, conflict in Indochina, Ho Chi Minh, reconciliation and reunification, and the precursor to the Vietnam War, this battlefield is a must-see destination. Key sites to visit include: 

• Dien Bien Phu Museum: Featuring hundreds of relics from both sides of the battle 

• French Command Post 

• General Vo Nguyen Giap’s Command Centre (Muong Phang to the Vietnamese) 

• Strongpoint Elaine II (Hill A1 to the Vietnamese):  Fortifications, bunkers, and a small command post 

• Colonel Piroth’s bunker site (artillery commander) 

• Outdoor collection of French tanks, artillery, and aircraft pieces 

• Strongpoint Dominique and the Victory Monument (Hill D1 to the Vietnamese) 

• Dien Bien Phu Military Cemetery 

• Strongpoint Beatrice (Him Lam to the Vietnamese): Fortifications, trenches, and a small command post 

• Strongpoint Isabelle (Hong Cum to the Vietnamese): The last French strongpoint to surrender 

• The French Memorial (one of only two foreign memorials dedicated to fallen soldiers in Vietnam) 

• The French-Built Bailey Bridge (Muong Thanh Bridge to the Vietnamese): Leading to the French command post bunker 

Vietnam commemorates the anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory on 7 May each year. Every decade, the Vietnamese government organises a grand celebration and commemoration service at Dien Bien Phu to honour their battle heroes. On the 70th anniversary of the battle (7 May 2024), our director, Billy Penfold, and two staff members attended the two-day event to film the occasion and revisit the battlefield, highlighting the significance of this battle and the commemoration services to the Vietnamese and French people. They met Vietnamese veterans and listened to their vivid stories. They also attended the French memorial service, where they met the official French delegation, including Patricia Miralles, the French Secretary of State for War Veterans and Memory, and Andre Mayer, one of only three French Dien Bien Phu veterans who travelled from France for the occasion. 

We invite you to watch the captioned pictorial below and the short video we produced showcasing this unique event. 

For further information on incorporating a visit to Dien Bien Phu into an educational tour of Vietnam, please contact our office: Tel +61 3 9876 5058 or email us at info@edventuretravel.com.au