Điện Biên veteran Nguyễn Văn Kỷ, from Hamlet C17, Thanh Xương commune (Điện Biên district), joined Regiment 176 of Division 316 in 1952 at the age of 20. For Kỷ, his memories of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign are closely tied to the battle for Hill C1, one of the most intense and grueling confrontations. The battle on Hill C1 lasted over a month, shifting from offense to defense as both sides fought back and forth. According to Kỷ, the fight was marked by relentless bombardment, clouds of dust and smoke, and fierce close-quarters combat over every inch of land, every gun emplacement, every meter of trench. Despite the hardships and brutality, the memory of fighting side by side with his comrades remains deeply etched in his mind. Many of them laid down their lives, their blood soaking the earth, sorrow that still lingers.

Kỷ emotionally shared: “There were battles so brutal that when we returned, only one squad was left. The cook had prepared rice, soup, and meat for the soldiers, but by morning, no one was left to eat it. The rice was ready, but almost all the soldiers had fallen…”

After the liberation, Kỷ returned to Điện Biên to start a family and help build a local farm. Embracing the slogan “Make the Northwest our homeland, make the farm our family,” he continued his service as a soldier of Uncle Hồ, this time in the fight against hunger and poverty, on the very land where he had once battled for freedom.

After the war, Điện Biên was covered in forest and wild grass. Beyond driving for the farm, Kỷ and his family cleared the land and reclaimed it for farming, beginning a new life on terrain still scarred by bombs and bullets.

To ensure future generations never forget the history and the immense sacrifices of fallen heroes who gave their lives for independence and peace, Kỷ frequently recounts his wartime stories to his children and grandchildren. For him, the memories of those fiery days are powerful life lessons to instill patriotism and the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people.

His children and grandchildren have grown up to be respectful, disciplined, and exemplary citizens in both education and work, abiding by the Party’s policies and the State’s laws. They all strive to contribute to a brighter future for the homeland and the nation.

Veteran Bùi Văn Tỉnh, born in 1929, now lives in Residential Quarter No.14, Mường Thanh ward, Điện Biên Phủ city. His hometown is Tiên Lãng district, Hải Phòng city. In late 1951, at age 22, filled with patriotism and a determination to help defeat the French colonialists, he enlisted in the military.

During the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign, he was assigned to Regiment 174 of Division 316, a key unit tasked with capturing Hill A1, one of the most strategically important positions in the French defensive system. Hill A1, with its rugged terrain, fortified trenches, and elite defenders, was the site of the longest and bloodiest battle of the campaign. Tỉnh and his comrades endured days and nights of thirst, deprivation, and relentless bombardment, where blood and tears soaked into the earth.

He recalled: “At Hill A1, the French forces, entrenched in bunkers on high ground, repeatedly launched counterattacks. After four failed assaults, the command proposed a new strategy: secretly dig a tunnel into the heart of the hill and place nearly 1,000kg of explosives to destroy the enemy’s stronghold. Each soldier carried about 20kg of explosives from base. Once we had delivered the explosives to the designated location, I reported back and received the order for the entire squad to retreat 200 meters and wait for the detonation. Just as we reached safety, the massive charge went off. It caused severe casualties among the French defenders, at the very least, they were disoriented and demoralized. Seizing the moment, Vietnamese troops stormed and captured Hill A1 at 4 a.m. on May 7, 1954. The eastern defense center of the French stronghold collapsed completely.”

When Tỉnh learned that General De Castries (commander of the French forces at Điện Biên Phủ) had been captured alive, he felt overwhelming joy and pride at having contributed to the historic victory, but it was bittersweet, remembering the many comrades who had fallen in the process.

Now in their twilight years, veterans of the Điện Biên Campaign still vividly remember their youthful days, when they gave their all, body and soul, for the Fatherland, helping secure a victory that “resounded across five continents and shook the world.” They are not only brave soldiers of the past, but also living role models for younger generations, exemplifying patriotism, resilience, and unwavering loyalty to the nation.