Alongside memories of those glorious years, the image of General Võ Nguyên Giáp - the Commander-in-Chief and the eldest brother of the Việt Nam People’s Army - remains deeply etched in the minds of every Điện Biên resident. Stories about the people’s General are passed down through generations with pride, respect, and gratitude.

Commander’s fortitude and a historic decision

The profound imprint of General Võ Nguyên Giáp during the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign is inextricably linked to the decision to shift the operational motto from “strike quickly, resolve quickly” to “strike steadily, advance steadily.” On January 26, 1954, faced with the requirement of ensuring certain victory, the Campaign Party Committee and Command reached a consensus to propose changing the motto. Later, General Võ Nguyên Giáp reflected on this as the most difficult decision of his military career.

From that decision, the entire battle array was reorganized: artillery pieces were pulled back, forces were adjusted, and all conditions were prepared for a protracted campaign. This turning-point shift created the momentum for our forces to steadily encircle, encroach, and dismantle the Điện Biên Phủ Stronghold Group, advancing toward final victory on May 7, 1954.

Điện Biên soldier Bùi Kim Điều, who directly participated in the opening battle of Him Lam, lived through those fierce days of combat. Over seven decades later, he still recalls the strategic acumen, organizing capability, and command leadership of the Campaign Command, especially the role of General Võ Nguyên Giáp. “That victory was first and foremost the exploit of the soldiers who fought directly, but behind every battle was the command, calculation, and fortitude of the Campaign Command, headed by General Võ Nguyên Giáp,” Điện Biên soldier Bùi Kim Điều emotionally shared.

Mementos preserving intact memories of the General

While military brilliance defined the stature of the General on the battlefield, his affection for the people made him an endearing and close figure in the memory of every Điện Biên resident. The red cassette radio presented by the General to Lò Văn Bóng (in Bua village) during his return to Mường Phăng in 2004 is one such treasured memory.

During the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign, Lò Văn Bóng served as an outer-perimeter guard and liaison for the Campaign Command Headquarters. In 2004, on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, the General returned to Mường Phăng. After revisiting the former headquarters, the General spent time meeting and inquiring after local compatriots, advising residents to unite, work hard, develop the economy, and build an increasingly prosperous homeland. On that occasion, Lò Văn Bóng was gifted a cassette radio by the General. The small radio was cherished by Lò Văn Bóng until the end of his life. Today, his son, Lò Văn Biên, continues to preserve that keepsake as a family treasure.

“In 2004, learning that Uncle Giáp was visiting, the people of Mường Phăng commune waited from early morning to see the General. Uncle Giáp spoke with and advised the cadres and people of Mường Phăng to strive for unity and work hard to develop the economy. He gave my father the radio; my father was overjoyed, always keeping it by his side and using it regularly. Now that my father has passed away, our family still keeps it to remember Uncle Giáp.”

Continuing the story of the General

For generations born after the war, Điện Biên Phủ is known through pages of history, historical relics, and stories passed down from previous generations. In Mường Phăng, those stories are recounted every day by people born and raised on the very land that once hosted the Campaign Command Headquarters.

As a docent of the Điện Biên Phủ Museum stationed at the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign Command Relic Site, Cà Thị Minh regularly welcomes and introduces tourists to the huts and tunnels where the Campaign Command worked during the historic campaign. Through her work, she has the opportunity to retell stories of victory, the sacrifices of earlier generations, and the strategic mastery of General Võ Nguyên Giáp.

As a daughter of Mường Phăng, Cà Thị Minh considers introducing the history of her homeland part of her responsibility. Each story shared with visitors is her way of contributing so that the values of Điện Biên Phủ are understood correctly, remembered long, and continuously passed down. Cà Thị Minh added: “I am always proud of my homeland. I think the young generation today must take responsibility for preserving historical values. As a docent, I must do my job well so that visitors coming here understand more about the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, the sacrifices of our forebears, and the strategic genius of General Võ Nguyên Giáp. Personally, I will also strive to make a small contribution to preserving history and building my homeland.”

More than 72 years after the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, the land that was once a battlefield has taken on a brighter new appearance. The remaining vestiges continue to recall a heroic era and General Võ Nguyên Giáp, the eldest brother of the Việt Nam People’s Army, the brilliant commander who contributed to forging a victory of special significance in the history of the nation.

For every resident of Điện Biên, remembering the General is also remembering a sacred part of their homeland’s memory. The values left behind by the General continue to be preserved, becoming a source of pride and motivation to live responsibly, dedicate oneself, and build an increasingly civilized and developing homeland.