TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC THƯƠNG MẠI

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GROUP DISCUSSION

IMPORTANT HISTORICAL EVENTS AND

FIGURES

Lecturers : Hà Thị Vũ Hà
Class: 232_ENTH1611_24
Group: 3

Hà Nội, March 2024

Table of Contents
I. Context prior to the 56-day-and-night Dien Bien Phu War (1953- 1954)....................2
1.1. International situation:.............................................................................................2
1.2. Vietnam-France relations:........................................................................................2
1.3. Conclude...................................................................................................................2
II. Course of the war..........................................................................................................2
2.1. Phase 1 of the war (13/03- 17/03)............................................................................2
2.2. Phase 2 of the war (30/03- 30/04)............................................................................3
2.3. Phase 3 of the war ( 01/05- 07/05)...........................................................................3
III. Important characters...................................................................................................3
IV. Results and meaning of the war..................................................................................4
4.1. Results.......................................................................................................................5
4.2. Historical significance..............................................................................................5
REFERENCE.....................................................................................................................6
I. Context prior to the 56-day-and-night Dien Bien Phu War (1953- 1954)

1.1. International situation:

The Cold War is ongoing between the Socialist and Capitalist forces.
National liberation movements in Asia and Africa are gaining traction.
Following the Geneva Armistice Agreement in 1954, Vietnam was temporarily
divided into two military assembly areas with the 17th parallel as the boundary.
The North focused on establishing a socialist regime.
The South was under French colonial administration, as well as Ngo Dinh Diem's
puppet government.

1.2. Vietnam-France relations:

France broke the Armistice Agreement and attempted to unify the country through
force.
The Southern people's battle against the French grew stronger.
In July 1953, France presented the Nava Plan to terminate the Vietnam War within
18 months by achieving a decisive victory.
The aim is Defeat the major Vietnamese force in the Northwest.
Keep the initiative on the battlefield.

1.3. Conclude
The Dien Bien Phu War began as international tensions and disagreements
between Vietnam and France reached their peak. The Party and State of Vietnam made a
brave and wise move with this campaign, which marked a watershed moment in the
resistance battle against the French.

II. Course of the war

2.1. Phase 1 of the war (13/03- 17/03)
In the first phase of the battle of Dien Bien Phu, from March 13 to March 17, our
army conducted a strong attack on subdivisions E, D, C and A of Dien Bien Phu
stronghold, in order to encircle and defeat the enemy army. Opening of the operation at
8:00 a.m. on March 13, began the operation with shelling of Muong Thanh airfield,
burning 2 Dakota aircraft. At 17:05 Vietnamese artillery simultaneously opened fire,
attacking subdivisions E, D, C, A of Dien Bien Phu. Our troops cleverly and bravely
destroyed HimLam and Doc Lap strongholds, Ban Keo stronghold, broke the northern
gateway of Dien Bien Phu stronghold; killing and capturing over 2,000 enemies,
destroying 25 aircraft, wiping out 01 regiment, threatening Muong Thanh airfield; Pirot-
the commander of the French artillery at Dien Bien Phu, helpless against our artillery,
used a suicide grenade. Phase 1 was a successful start for the victory over Dien Bien Phu.
The victory changed the battle position, forcing France to switch to a defensive position,
in addition to making an important contribution to the defeat of the Dien Bien Phu
stronghold group later.
2.2. Phase 2 of the war (30/03- 30/04)
In phase 2 of the battle of Dien Bien Phu, From March 30 to April 30, 1954. Our
forces simultaneously attacked the central bases in the east. For days, continue to attack
and limit the enemy's support. The enemy tried his best to prolong the time. This is the
longest, most violent, and most brutal attack between us and the enemy. The battle begins
with the hills C1, D1, and E. Especially on C1 Hill and A1 hill, on the hill of the C1, the
battle lasted 20 days; the first five minutes broke the steel fence seven times. The battle
lasted 45 minutes, in the army, just 10 people were killed. And on hill of the A1 lasting
30 days, The fighting on the A1 hill was extremely tense, fierce, and damaging to both
sides, continuously lasting until the afternoon of April 1954, when it was suspended.
Both sides tried to consolidate the part of the hill that they had captured.
2.3. Phase 3 of the war ( 01/05- 07/05)
In phase 3 of the battle of Dien Bien Phu, from May 1 to 7, our troops made a
decisive attack, attacking French bases. This attack brought important results, destroying
the strength of the French army and laying the foundation for our final victory.
On the night of May 6, 1954, on Hill A1, the battle between our troops and the enemy
took place very fiercely. The commander of Hill A1 and about 400 surviving enemy
soldiers had to surrender. At 5:30 p.m. on May 7, 1954, our troops occupied the enemy's
headquarters. General De Cat, the entire General Staff, and the soldiers of the Dien Bien
Phu stronghold had to surrender. And that very night, our troops continued to attack the
Southern division, forcing the enemy to flee to Thuong Lao. In 24 hours, all enemy
troops were captured by our troops. Our army's "determined to fight, determined to win"
flag flew on the roof of the enemy's command bunker.

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu was a great victory for the Viet Minh. It showed the
world that they were capable of defeating the French and helped boost their morale. The
battle also had a significant impact on the French. It led to the collapse of the French
government and helped convince the French that they could not win the war in Vietnam.

III. Important characters

The historic victory of Dien Bien Phu, the pinnacle of the resistance war against
French colonialism, was first and foremost the victory of the Party's political, correct and
creative military line, headed by President Ho Chi Minh. President Ho Chi Minh has
contributed greatly to the historic victory of Dien Bien Phu from planning a common way
to save the country to directing each battle and each campaign. As the leader of the
nation, as well as the supreme commander of the Dien Bien Phu campaign, President Ho
Chi Minh not only graciously taught our soldiers broad issues, spoke the greatest truths of
the times, basic views on people's war and building the people's armed forces, but also
motivate and instruct cadres and soldiers in each campaign, each battle, each specific
deed and behavior.

In addition, the victory over Dien Bien Phu had the great contribution of General
Vo Nguyen Giap. With absolute confidence, General Vo Nguyen Giap was assigned by
Uncle Ho to be the commander-in-chief of the Dien Bien Phu campaign - a decisive
campaign in the resistance war against French colonialism. With experience in
commanding many major campaigns such as Operation Border, Peace, Northwest... The
victory of our troops and people in the East-Spring strategic offensive from 1953 to 1954,
culminating in the victory over Dien Bien Phu, contributed decisively to bringing the
resistance war against French colonialism to a successful end. "Dien Bien Phu shook the
globe" brought General Vo Nguyen Giap to the rank of general recorded by world
military history.

IV. Results and meaning of the war

 On May 7th, 1954, after 56 days of fierce fighting, the Battle of Dien Bien Phu
ended in a resounding victory for the Vietnamese army.

4.1. Results
 Military
The entire French garrison at Dien Bien Phu was defeated, with over 16,000 French
soldiers and 11,726 soldiers from other colonies captured.

The Vietnamese army captured 17,000 guns, 1,000 tons of ammunition, 16 airplanes,
and many other war materials.
 Political
The victory forced France to sign the Geneva Accords, which ended the war and
restored peace in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

North Vietnam was completely liberated and moved towards building socialism. The
national liberation movements in other colonies gained momentum.

4.2. Historical significance

 A shining milestone in Vietnamese history: The victory demonstrated the

Vietnamese people's strong spirit of unity, determination, and patriotism.
 A symbol of bravery and creativity in military art: The battle went down in world
history as a resounding victory that contributed to the defeat of the colonial
aggressors.
  A great inspiration for the world's national liberation movements: The victory
affirmed the strength of oppressed people and encouraged their fight for
independence.

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu was a great victory with immense historical and
international significance. It marked a turning point in Vietnam's history, from a colony
to an independent and free nation, and contributed to the collapse of the colonial system
of imperialism worldwide.

REFERENCE
1. Chiến thắng Điện Biên Phủ - bản anh hùng ca bất diệt của thời đại Hồ Chí Minh. (n.d.).
Nhandan.Vn. Retrieved March 20, 2024, from
https://special.nhandan.vn/chienthangdienbienphu_baonhandan/index.html
2. Vov B. Đ. (2023, May 7). Chiến dịch Điện Biên Phủ: Thắng lợi vẻ vang của chiến tranh nhân
dân. Báo điện tử VOV. https://vov.vn/chinh-tri/chien-dich-dien-bien-phu-thang-loi-ve-vang-cua-
chien-tranh-nhan-dan-post1018462.vov