Thank you Front for helping us return to Dien Bien

PV talked with delegates attending the program to meet and pay tribute to Dien Bien soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline workers who directly participated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Photo: Quang Vinh.

On April 16, nearly 150 delegates from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and the provinces of Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Lao Cai, Yen Bai , and Hoa Binh were present in Dien Bien Phu city to attend the meeting and gratitude program for Dien Bien soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline workers who directly participated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign, organized by the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee in coordination with Dien Bien province.

Up to this point, the preparation work to welcome delegates to the meeting program and pay tribute to Dien Bien soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline workers who directly participated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign has been carried out thoughtfully and attentively by the Organizing Committee.

Mr. Tran Khac Long, a former youth volunteer who participated in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. Photo: Quang Vinh.

Along with the members of the delegation, Mr. Tran Khac Long (90 years old), a former youth volunteer currently living in Hoang Mai district, Hanoi city, has been in Dien Bien Phu city since April 15. Although he has been to Dien Bien many times, for Mr. Long, returning to the old battlefield brings a very special feeling.

Mr. Long emotionally shared that this year, returning to Dien Bien Phu, after 70 years, he felt extremely proud of the contributions and sacrifices of his comrades for the total victory of the Dien Bien Phu campaign, but he also realized that his contributions were just like a grain of sand on the graves of his comrades who are still lying here. Dien Bien Phu made him think that his life of dedication to the country was worthy, and that he was not ashamed of the sacrifices of his comrades in Dien Bien in the past.

“Today, the generation that participated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign are mostly over 80-90 years old. We are trying to overcome the difficulties of old age to set an example for our children and grandchildren to follow in their father's footsteps,” said Mr. Long.

Ms. Duong Thi Cach participated in the frontline labor force serving the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Photo: Quang Vinh.

Also present at the reunion at the Dien Bien battlefield, Mrs. Duong Thi Cach (90 years old) - Phu Lien village, Bac Hong commune, Dong Anh district shared, recalling the days of participating in the frontline labor force serving the Dien Bien Phu campaign, she did not think she could live to this day because of the fierceness of the war. At that time, she and many of her teammates carried out the task of transporting rice and logistical supplies to serve the campaign. The rice loads were transported by the frontline labor force at night, each person had only a flashlight, wading through passes, climbing streams, and following the mountainside to avoid bombing planes, so it was very difficult.

"Thank you to the Party, the State, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front for creating conditions for us to revisit the old battlefield and meet our comrades and teammates who fought side by side in the Dien Bien basin. Seeing everyone happy and healthy, I was very happy, excited, and felt healthier. My children and grandchildren also encouraged me to revisit the old battlefield, take many beautiful pictures, and capture the moments of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory here," Ms. Cach shared.

Mr. Thai Huu Hoanh, former youth volunteer serving in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. Photo: Quang Vinh.

Arriving at Muong Thanh Hotel after the journey from Son La to Dien Bien Phu city, Mr. Thai Huu Hoanh (87 years old, former youth volunteer serving in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign) emotionally shared that it had been nearly 20 years since he had returned to Dien Bien Phu city, he and many of his comrades were very happy and excited.

“Despite my old age and poor health, I still tried to join this meaningful trip to meet my old comrades and witness the changes in the heroic land of Dien Bien Phu,” Mr. Hoanh emotionally shared.

Mr. Quang Van Say, a former youth volunteer serving in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. Photo: Quang Vinh.

Among nearly 40 delegates who were Dien Bien soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline laborers who directly participated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign, Mr. Quang Van Say (95 years old, Thai ethnic group, former youth volunteer) recognized two comrades who had fought side by side with him in the Dien Bien Phu campaign.

"I am very happy to meet my old comrades again. Thank you to the Party, the State and the Vietnam Fatherland Front for creating the conditions for us to have this meaningful reunion, together recalling stories and unforgettable memories at the Dien Bien Phu battlefield," Mr. Say shared.

Delegates attending the meeting program to pay tribute to Dien Bien soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline laborers who directly participated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Photo: Quang Vinh.

“
On April 17, in Dien Bien Phu city, Dien Bien province, the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee coordinated with Dien Bien province to organize a meeting to express gratitude to Dien Bien soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline workers who directly participated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Organizing the meeting right in Dien Bien is a tribute and gratitude to those who have devoted their youth to the country. This is one of the important and meaningful activities on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the historic Dien Bien Phu Victory.

Source