 Where the French war ended: Photos 63 to 84 |
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Where the French war ended: Photos 63 to 84
Asia » Vietnam » Northwest » Dien Bien Phu
June 30th 2009 by theRedRiver
Điện Biên Phủ is a remote city inside the Mường Thanh valley in the north west of Vietnam, only 36.5km from the Lao border. The ethnic minority people living in this area are the Thai and H'mong. The city is famous for the site of the battle, where the French troops were defeated by Việt Minh (the League for the Independence of Vietnam - Việt Nam độc lập đồng minh hội) forces on 7 May 1954 after a 56-day siege, resulting in the end of the French rule in Vietnam (1858 - 1954) and its colonial control in Indochina.
To achieve this victory, the Viet Minh forces, under General Võ Nguyên Giáp, dug trenches and tunnels to reach the French positions without coming under fire. They also carried 105mm artillery pieces and anti-aircraft guns (pháo cao xạ) through jungles, across rivers, up and down passes and mountains, then emplaced them in secret positions overlooking the French positions. All 16,200 men of the French garrison were either killed or taken prisoner, while Vietnam's casualties were about 25,000.
The distance from Hanoi to Điện Biên Phủ is 420km and if you travel overland by car or bus, it often takes a
Full Text Entry: Where the French war ended
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June 30th 2009 - Batatawada: HAPPY Birthday....sorry a bit late....
HAPPY Birthday....sorry a bit late....
July 1st 2009 - Kob: The French War Ended
Dear Hong Ha
Thanks for all of your phtos, with which I visually noticed how Vietnamese fighted with French army.
I wonder why Majority of Vietmamese martyrs at the cementery are anoymous, or whether those martyrs are unidetified civilians.
It's much regrettable that the war expanded to the proxy war between capitalist countries and communist countries in the field of Vietnam, and ended up when N.Vietnam entered Saigon in April 30 1975, leaving behind the great number of irreparable victim.
Regards
Kob
July 2nd 2009 - larry dinh: Happy Birthday!!!
Better late than never. Happy Birthday! I have heard of the battle in Dien Bien Phu but never pictured what the place looks like until I read your entry. Thank you for sharing! Where is your next destination?
July 10th 2009 - Marcus Schuetz: Very interesting ...
... entry. Hope you are fine and enjoyed your birthday trip. Greetings, Marcus
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Explosive hole on A1 hill (Hố bộc phá)
This hole was formed because of 960kg of explosives that Vietnamese soldiers detonated on 6 May 1954 to start a general attack on the battlefield.
A1 hill
This post was to defend A1 hill of the French troops and was taken over by Vietnamese soldiers on 6 May 1954.
Noong Nhai memorial
Noong Nhai was a Thai village where 444 people were killed by French bomb on 25 April 1954.
Noong Nhai memorial
The stupa was built in memory of 444 people at Noong Nhai village, who were killed by French bomb on 25 Apr 1954.
City view from D1 hill
I am walking up over 300 steps to the Statue of Victory on the top of D1 hill.
Bas-relief at D1 hill
Next to 300 steps to the Statue of Victory on D1 hill is the bas-relief (phù điêu bằng đá), which describes the 56 day siege of Vietnamese people.
ATR72 at Điện Biên airport
The 65 seated ATR72 of Vietnam Airlines landed at the airport in the rain.
The Statue of Victory on D1 hill
This 20-ton bronze statue was built some years ago (Tượng đài chiến thắng Điện Biên Phủ trên đỉnh đồi D1).
At D1 hill
Bas-relief of the volunteers (ethnic minority people) carrying food for the siege. (Phù điêu dưới chân đồi D1)
View from the plane
I saw Nậm Rốm river, mountains, rice fields, houses and finally the run-way of the airport.
At A1 hill
The former defense position of the French troops is now covered with metal net. The gate is blocked too.
4 Comments - Add Public Comment or Send Private Message
June 30th 2009 - Batatawada: HAPPY Birthday....sorry a bit late....
HAPPY Birthday....sorry a bit late....
July 1st 2009 - Kob: The French War Ended
Dear Hong Ha
Thanks for all of your phtos, with which I visually noticed how Vietnamese fighted with French army.
I wonder why Majority of Vietmamese martyrs at the cementery are anoymous, or whether those martyrs are unidetified civilians.
It's much regrettable that the war expanded to the proxy war between capitalist countries and communist countries in the field of Vietnam, and ended up when N.Vietnam entered Saigon in April 30 1975, leaving behind the great number of irreparable victim.
Regards
Kob
July 2nd 2009 - larry dinh: Happy Birthday!!!
Better late than never. Happy Birthday! I have heard of the battle in Dien Bien Phu but never pictured what the place looks like until I read your entry. Thank you for sharing! Where is your next destination?
July 10th 2009 - Marcus Schuetz: Very interesting ...
... entry. Hope you are fine and enjoyed your birthday trip. Greetings, Marcus
All Comments
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