Vietnam celebrates 70 years since Dien Bien Phu battle that ended French colonial rule
DIEN BIEN PHU, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam on Tuesday celebrated the 70th anniversary of the battle of Dien Bien Phu in which the French colonial army was defeated by Vietnamese troops, marking the end of the French occupation of Indochina.
At Dien Bien Phu, Vietnamese troops led by General Vo Nguyen Giap, surprised French forces with heavy artillery fire at their mountainous garrison in northwestern Vietnam.
When Dien Bien Phu fell in 1954, it spelled the end of almost a century of French colonial rule.
“The historic Dien Bien Phu victory is a remarkable event, not only for the Vietnamese revolution,” Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said in a speech at the ceremony. “It is also a monumental saga that inspired countries rising up to fight for independence and freedom, marking the collapse of the colonialism all over the world.”
On Tuesday morning, the commemoration was held at a stadium in the center of Dien Bien Phu, once a village in a valley dense with trenches, barbed wires and bomb craters. It is now a city of more than 80,000 people.
Related articles
Minnesota legislators consider constitutional amendment to protect abortion and LGBTQ rights
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Democrats have introduced far-reaching legislation to add abortion2024-05-07Zoe Ball announces death of her 'dear mama' Julia following short battle with pancreatic cancer
Zoe Ball has told fans she is 'bereft' following the death of her 'dear mama' Julia. The BBC Radio 22024-05-07Zoe Ball announces death of her 'dear mama' Julia following short battle with pancreatic cancer
Zoe Ball has told fans she is 'bereft' following the death of her 'dear mama' Julia. The BBC Radio 22024-05-07Who's made the cut for Meghan's new Montecito inner circle? Polo wives, Britney Spears' ex
The soft launch of Meghan Markle's lifestyle brand not only marked the latest business venture for t2024-05-07Kaia Gerber flashes her bra in a sheer black mesh top with maxi coat as she heads out in New York
Kaia Gerber looked effortlessly chic in an-all black look as she was seen out and about in New York2024-05-07With lawsuits in rearview mirror, Disney World government gets back to being boring
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — For the first time in more than a year, the monthly board meeting of Walt Disne2024-05-07
atest comment