A host of activities are going on throughout Vietnam, including two exhibits in Hanoi and central Quang Binh Province, to commemorate the Dien Bien Phu victory, a prominent triumph during the country’s resistance war against the French colonialists.

“Dien Bien Phu – Moc Vang Lich Su” (Dien Bien Phu – The Golden Historic Milestone), is running at the Military History Museum at 28A Dien Bien Phu Street in the capital city’s Ba Dinh District from April 29 to the end of July.

The exhibit showcases some 300 items used during the Dien Bien Phu battle in May 1954, which include spades used to dig ditches, bikes to carry heavy loads of rice to soldiers, torches, soldiers’ harmonicas, guitars, and personal belongings.

Along with the objects for daily use and a host of photos capturing the brave soldiers on the battlefront and civilians at the time, various Vietnamese and French weapons are also on display.

The weapons vary from rudimentary sticks used by Vietnamese soldiers to pull cannons to the battlefield to both large and small machine guns, which were advanced for the time.

Also on display are well-preserved telephones, pincers and scissors employed to cut barbed wires, and intact battle operation plans and diagrams.

Many of the objects were donated by Dien Bien Phu veterans and their families.

A clutch of archival materials are also on exhibit.

According to Colonel Nguyen Xuan Nang, the museum director, the museum has begun using 3D technology to enhance the exhibited objects.

In the same vein, a photo display, “Dien Bien Phu – Thien Su Vang Choi Loi” (Dien Bien Phu – The Glorious History Chapter) is running from Sunday to May 14 at the resting place of late General Vo Nguyen Giap in Vung Chua – Dao Yen in Quang Binh’s Quang Trach District.

Gen. Giap, who passed away in October 2013, masterminded the Dien Bien Phu battle and was thus instrumental in its resounding success.

On display are 60 photos taken by Vietnam News Agency photojournalists and local photographers.

The photos summarize the main happenings of the historic Dien Bien Phu victory and Gen. Giap’s key role in the campaign.

The Dien Bien Phu campaign was the most decisive battle in Vietnam’s resistance war against French colonialism.

The battle took place between Vietnamese and French troops in Muong Thanh District, Lai Chau Province, which is now Dien Bien Province in the north.

The French were completely defeated and surrendered on May 7, 1954.

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