Timeline of the Battle of Dien Bien Phu

Time Progression
November 20,1953 French forces establish the fortified
camp of Dien Bien Phu in northwestern
Vietnam, near the border with Laos, as
part of their strategy to control the Viet
Minh insurgency.
December 13, 1953 Viet Minh forces, under the command
of General Vo Nguyen Giap, begin
surrounding Dien Bien Phu with
artillery and anti-aircraft guns.
March 13, 1954 Viet Minh forces launch their first
major assault on the French positions,
capturing several important outposts
around the perimeter of Dien Bien Phu.
March 30, 1954 The French garrison at Dien Bien Phu
is now completely surrounded, and
supplies are running low. French
attempts to resupply the base by air are
hampered by Viet Minh anti-aircraft
fire.
April 7, 1954 Viet Minh forces launch a massive
assault on the central French positions
at Dien Bien Phu, breaching the
defenses and threatening the French
command center.
April 27, 1954 With the situation becoming
increasingly desperate and no hope of
relief, the French commander, Colonel
Christian de Castries, orders his troops
to cease fire and surrender to the Viet
Minh.
May 7, 1954 The French garrison at Dien Bien Phu
officially surrenders to the Viet Minh,
marking the end of the 56-day battle.
This event effectively signals the end
 of French colonial rule in Indochina.
July 21, 1954 The Geneva Conference begins, aimed
at resolving the conflict in Indochina.
The conference ultimately leads to the
partition of Vietnam into North and
South, with a temporary ceasefire and
French withdrawal from the region.

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu symbolizes the resilience and determination of the Vietnamese
people in their struggle for independence. It was a crucial moment in history, signifying the end
of French colonial rule in Indochina and setting the stage for the reunification of Vietnam.

On November 20, 1953, French forces established the fortified camp of Dien Bien Phu in
northwestern Vietnam, near the border with Laos, as part of their strategy to quell the Viet Minh
insurgency.

By December 13, 1953, Viet Minh forces, commanded by General Vo Nguyen Giap, began
encircling Dien Bien Phu with artillery and anti-aircraft guns.

In March 1954, on the 13th, Viet Minh forces launched their initial major assault on the French
positions, capturing several crucial outposts surrounding Dien Bien Phu. By the 30th of the
month, the French garrison found themselves completely surrounded, with dwindling supplies
and hindered attempts at resupply by air due to Viet Minh anti-aircraft fire.

On April 7, 1954, Viet Minh forces initiated a massive assault on the central French positions at
Dien Bien Phu, breaching the defenses and jeopardizing the French command center. Later that
month, on the 27th, facing increasingly dire circumstances and no prospect of relief, Colonel
Christian de Castries, the French commander, ordered his troops to cease fire and surrender to
the Viet Minh.

Finally, on May 7, 1954, the French garrison at Dien Bien Phu officially surrendered to the Viet
Minh, marking the conclusion of the 56-day battle. This event effectively spelled the end of
French colonial rule in Indochina.
On July 21, 1954, the Geneva Conference commenced, aimed at resolving the conflict in
Indochina. Ultimately, the conference led to the partition of Vietnam into North and South,
accompanied by a temporary ceasefire and French withdrawal from the region.

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu remains emblematic of Vietnamese perseverance and the victory of
the underdog. It serves as a poignant reminder that in the face of daunting odds, the pursuit of
freedom and independence endures.