70 years after the victory of Dien Bien Phu, interview with the Vietnamese ambassador to Argentina

In a very few days, more precisely on May 7, we will remember the 70th anniversary of one of the most important defeats of contemporary colonialism. This is the battle of Dien Bien Phu. On that occasion, on May 7, 1954, the Vietnamese people and armed forces grouped in the Viet Minh and commanded by General Nguyên Giàp, defeated the invading French troops, in what was the final battle and defeat for them. last.

On the occasion of this important commemoration, the new Ambassador of Vietnam in Argentina, Ngo Minh Nguyet, gave the following interview to the Argentine press:

–What are the decisive factors for the Vietnamese army and people to achieve this great victory?

-70 years ago, after 56 days of fighting with courage, intelligence and creativity, the Vietnamese army and people defeated the French troops in the battle of Dien Bien Phu, after the capture of all the enemy soldiers and the demolition of 62 planes.

The historic Dien Bien Phu operation is the great epic of the Vietnamese people’s war, known as a victory that broke the colonial system in the world.

The victory of the war of resistance against the French colonialists, which culminated in the victory of Dien Bien Phu, is the victory of patriotism, the indomitable and heroic spirit of the Vietnamese people forged over thousands of years of its history.

It is about the victory of resistance and independent military tactics, led by the Communist Party of Vietnam, headed by President Ho Chi Minh.

From the first day of fighting against the French colonial invasion, the Communist Party of Vietnam led the people to carry out a comprehensive war of resistance with the participation of all the people.

The popular armed forces were made up of the regular army, local army and the guerrilla militia. These three forces were the nucleus for the entire people to fight against the enemy, combining guerrilla warfare with regular warfare; military attacks and popular uprisings; military struggle with political, economic, cultural and diplomatic struggles.

Under the call of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese people, from rural to urban areas, from mountainous lands to lowlands, from young to old, with patriotism and revolutionary heroism, They provided human and material resources for the armed forces on the battle front.

During this long and arduous war of resistance, the Vietnamese people received strong support and valuable assistance from brother countries, as well as from oppressed peoples in Asia, Africa and Latin America, especially from the three countries of Indochina and the fighting movements of the progressive peoples of the world, and also those of France.

–How do you assess the significance of the feat of the battle of Dien Bien Phu, in terms of the struggle for national liberation, both for the people of Vietnam and for other colonialist countries in the world?

-First, the victory of Dien Bien Phu, the pinnacle of the war of resistance against the French colonialists, laid the decisive foundation for the signing of the Geneva Agreement on the cessation of the war in Vietnam.

This victory forced the French government and the participating parties to sign the Geneva Agreement to suspend the war in Vietnam on July 21, 1954. It is also a decisive victory for Vietnam on the diplomatic front, as it improves Vietnam’s position in the international level and contributes to ending the war of invasion of the French colonialists in the country.

Second, the feat of Dien Bien Phu marked a new revolutionary period, leading North Vietnam to the transition to socialism, serving as a solid rearguard for the cause of the struggle to liberate the South and unify the country.

This victory put an end to the war against the French colonialists, generating fundamental changes in all fields from politics, military to diplomacy of the Vietnamese Revolution and began a new stage: the North, towards the construction of socialism and the South, the struggle for national reunification.

The achievements in the construction of socialism, as well as the contributions of the Northern rear to the great Southern front, have strengthened the confidence of the people of both the North and the South towards the final victory of the Vietnamese people.

Promoting the spirit of independence and self-determination of the Dien Bien Phu victory and creatively applying Marxism-Leninism and the ideology of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam has won numerous victories, defeating American troops and their vassal army, liberating and unifying the country.

Thirdly, the feat of Dien Bien Phu evidenced the correct path of resistance of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the growth of the Vietnam People’s Army.

The victory demonstrated that a small country with a limited economic resource could defeat any enemy that has a much greater economic and military potential, if there was a Marxist party that led with correct policies and military strategy, with the sympathy and support of the people. progressives of the world.

The historic victory showed the outstanding maturity of the Vietnam People’s Army. Since its founding with only 34 soldiers with rudimentary weapons in 1944, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese army has grown from strength to strength. This is the basis for the Party, the people and the army to greatly promote revolutionary heroism, and defeat the American invaders, liberating the South, and unifying the country.

Fourth, the victory of Dien Bien Phu ended the rule of French colonialism in the three countries of Indochina, beginning the process of collapse of colonialism throughout the world.

This feat encouraged the oppressed people of the world to rise up and fight for independence and freedom; forcing the French government to end its policy of colonial rule, and from there grant independence to many countries in Asia and Africa.

– How did the fighting spirit and heroism of the Battle of Dien Bien Phu promote the cause of independence and development of Vietnam?

-Vietnam is a pioneer country, a symbol in the movement to fight for national liberation, overthrow old colonialism, open a new page in the history of humanity and contribute to changing the world situation.

After the triumph of Dien Bien Phu in 1954, the Vietnamese people continued to write a brilliant epic in the Ho Chi Minh era, establishing glorious victories: the well-known victory of Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu in the air in 1972, and the historic Ho Chi operation Minh in 1975, which culminated in the liberation of the South to reunify the country.

From that moment on, all the people of Vietnam, both North and South, strived to build socialism, firmly defend the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Fatherland.

For nearly 40 years of the implementation of the Doi Moi (reform) process, taking advantage of advantages and opportunities, the entire Party, Army and Vietnamese people have promoted the spirit of patriotism, solidarity, determination, courage and creativity, striving for important achievements .

Vietnam has achieved rapid and sustainable development. The trust of the people in the Communist Party of Vietnam, in the State and in the socialist regime is strengthened, as its General Secretary, Nguyen Phu Trong, stated: “With all humility, we can proudly assure that our country has never had the same fortune, potential, position and international prestige as now.”

At present, Vietnam remains firm in the policies guided by the Party and the State in the construction and defense of the Homeland: strengthening the great national unity; defend independence and national sovereignty and socialism; promote peace and preserve a peaceful and stable environment for socio-economic development, industrialization and modernization of the country.

We also promote friendly relations, cooperation and mutual development with other countries, creating intertwined interests on the principle of respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs; we support resolving disputes and disagreements through peaceful means; Do not use force or threaten to use force.

Vietnam adheres to the national defense policy of all the people and closely combines national defense with security, foreign relations, economy, culture and society.

The 70th anniversary of the victory of Dien Bien Phu is an opportunity for the Vietnamese people to be more proud of their glorious Communist Party, of the great President Ho Chi Minh who led the Vietnamese revolution to glory.

The historic triumph of Dien Bien Phu will forever be a source of pride and encouragement that encourages the entire Party, the people and the army to strive to successfully implement the Platform for Nation Building in the period of transition to socialism, as well as the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, which promotes and materializes the aspiration of developing a prosperous and happy country, with high incomes in the middle of the 21st century.