The spirit of the Dien Bien Phu soldiers shines brightly forever.

(Baonghean.vn) -Established in 2004, the Liaison Committee of Dien Bien Phu Veterans in Vinh City has, over the past 10 years, become a "common home" for the soldiers who once fought for "56 days and nights digging tunnels in the mountains, sleeping in bunkers, enduring torrential rain, eating meager rations, and sharing blood mixed with mud..." contributing to the "earth-shattering" victory - a golden chapter in the Vietnamese nation's struggle against foreign invasion.

From just over 20 members, the Liaison Committee of Dien Bien Phu Soldiers in Vinh City now has 83 members. They are mainly soldiers from the five divisions (312, 316, 304, 308, and 351) and affiliated units who directly fought and served in combat, contributing to the "nine years of Dien Bien Phu, creating a glorious chapter in history."

Each person has their own circumstances and different positions, but whether generals, officers, or soldiers, those who are still alive today remain steadfastly loyal to their comrades, showing love, solidarity, and mutual support in life, and actively contributing to the cause of national renewal, construction, and defense. Despite their advanced age and declining health, most are over 80 years old, with the oldest being Mr. Nguyen Van Thu from Doi Cung ward, who is 98 years old this year. Yet, these veterans remain sharp-minded, optimistic, witty, and always serve as shining examples of patriotism, political acumen, morality, and character for the younger generation to emulate. Many, upon returning to civilian life at the request of their local communities, have taken on positions within the socio-political organizations in their residential areas and have excellently fulfilled their duties, contributing to upholding the traditions and qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the homeland of President Ho. Typical examples include Mr. Bui Duc Tung, Mr. Nguyen Dong (Hamlet 24, Nghi Phu Commune), Mr. Tran Hoi (Trung Dinh Block, Hung Dung Ward); Mr. Ho Hai Hien (Block 3, Quang Trung Ward); Mr. Nguyen Cong Dung (Block 8, Truong Thi Ward)...

The Liaison Committee of Dien Bien Phu veterans held a conversation with officers and soldiers on Mat Island.

Since its establishment, the Liaison Committee of Dien Bien Phu Veterans in Vinh City has organized regular, diverse, and meaningful activities such as revisiting the old battlefields, offering incense to commemorate fallen comrades, visiting comrades who are ill, holding spring gatherings, wishing each other a happy new year, and celebrating birthdays. These spring gatherings and birthday celebrations are both heartwarming and meaningful, honoring the training and dedication of the elderly while showcasing the beauty of traditional culture and possessing profound educational value. Besides witty poems and verses composed to wish each other well, birthday celebrations for former Dien Bien Phu veterans always include a couplet: "For the fatherland, Uncle Ho's soldiers are infinitely loyal / For the people, Dien Bien Phu soldiers are completely filial and righteous…"

Their greatest success was working together to compile and publish two books, "Soldiers of Dien Bien Phu - Vinh City" and "Dien Bien Phu - The Rendezvous," containing valuable documents and many pages of combat and service memoirs from those involved. These books help present and future generations better understand the victory of national and historical significance in the 20th century and the noble qualities of Ho Chi Minh's soldiers – "unwavering courage, unyielding determination" in all circumstances.

In addition, in response to the campaign to collect artifacts of the resistance war initiated by the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army and the Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism, the Dien Bien Phu veterans of Vinh City have also donated many valuable artifacts, preserved for decades, to the Museum of Military Region 4 and the Museum of Military History of the Vietnam People's Army, such as tobacco pipes, walking sticks, razors used by French officers, canes donated after the Dien Bien Phu victory, folding shovels used in the Dien Bien Phu campaign, etc.

The Liaison Committee of Dien Bien Phu Veterans in Vinh City revisits the old battlefield.

Colonel Nguyen Dong, a veteran of the pre-revolutionary period and head of the Dien Bien Phu veterans' liaison committee in Vinh City, could not hide his emotion as he recounted to us the reunions of Dien Bien Phu veterans on the anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory on May 7th each year. This is an opportunity for them to meet, encourage each other, inquire about each other's health, reminisce about the unit's traditions, and share stories of the "56 days and nights of digging tunnels and sleeping in bunkers" during the fighting and victory at historical landmarks such as Him Lam Hill, Doc Lap Hill, and A1 Hill. They remind each other to preserve and promote the spirit of the Dien Bien Phu soldiers, the traditional essence of "Uncle Ho's soldiers," and unwavering loyalty to the Party and the people. And those with graying hair stand together, singing the marching song, remembering "Dien Bien Phu of yesteryear, echoing Uncle Ho's words in the trenches..."

Colonel Nguyen Dong, Head of the Liaison Committee of Dien Bien Phu Soldiers in Vinh City, reminisces about his combat memories.

Time passes, history turns a new page, and the soldiers of Dien Bien Phu from yesteryear are now at an advanced age, a time when the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death spares no one. Therefore, their greatest wish is to receive support from all levels of government to publish a book about Nghe An and Dien Bien Phu on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory. This book will be a valuable historical document for future generations, as it is recorded and conveyed from the memories of Dien Bien Phu soldiers from Nghe An who are now living in various localities within the province and throughout the country, not just limited to Vinh City like the two previous books. Because Nghe An is the second province after Thanh Hoa to make significant contributions in terms of both human lives and resources to the Dien Bien Phu campaign (the entire province had 680 martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the Dien Bien Phu campaign, and 3 people were awarded the title of hero (heroic martyr Tran Can, hero Dang Dinh Ho, hero Phan Tu)... These contributions are entirely worthy of recognition and honor!

Text and photos: Khanh Ly