The bride, Ngoc Toan, got married to Cao Van Khanh, deputy commander of the 308th Brigade of the Vietnam People's Army, in the De Castries bunker.

Today, she went back to the former battlefield to reminisce about unforgettable memories.

The white-haired woman now had to use a wheelchair to travel on the long journey from HCM City to Dien Bien.

Under the dry sunny weather of the northwestern region, Toan still tried her best to visit historical landmarks with her children.

Toan's first wish upon arriving at the airport was to see her fellow soldiers at the local martyrs' cemetery. Stopping at the A1 Martyrs' Cemetery entrance, she determined to stand up and walk on her own to light incense for her fellow soldiers thanks to the help of others.

In silence, she burned incense to the martyrs in the trembling of emotion, remorse and compassion.

"Visiting the old battleground stirs my memories of numerous soldiers who lost their lives in Dien Bien Phu. I really miss them," she said.

Cao Quy Bao, Toan’s son, said: "My mother always wants to return to Dien Bien, even with her deteriorating health. My family tried to make her dream come true on the special occasion of the Dien Bien Phu victory's 70th anniversary. My mother is more excited and deeply moved as she also celebrates her 94th birthday on this occasion.

Leaving the A1 Cemetery, Toan and her family visited her wedding venue at the De Castries bunker.

Nearly 70 years ago, on May 22, 1954 at the bunker, a wedding was held between military physician Nguyen Thi Ngoc Toan and Cao Van Khanh, deputy commander of the 308th Brigade (later Lieutenant General, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam Peoples' Army).

Before the operation, they had already met and fallen in love. After that, both were mobilised for tasks at the Dien Bien Phu battlefield.

Toan took care of Tuan Giao's emergency tasks, while Khanh assumed directing the 308th Brigade. After the campaign, the two made a commitment to go back to the Northernmost Vietnam base and inform their families of their impending marriage.

Unfortunately, their wedding plan was broken when Deputy Cao Van Khanh's brigade assumed post-war duties while Toan embarked on a mission to tend to wounded soldiers.

Thanks to the advice and encouragement of their fellow soldiers, the couple made the decision to get married at the De Castries bunker after asking for General Vo Nguyen Giap’s approval.

Toan said that it was called a wedding but she had hardly made any preparations. The bride smoothed her hair, while the groom wore his uniform.

In the aftermath of the bombing, a casual, and heartfelt wedding was held on the battlefield amid the remnants of the conflict and the stench of gunpowder, symbolising a fresh start filled with happiness and peace.

The underground cellar of General De Castries was exquisitely adorned with a variety of prey parachutes. Chairs and desks were arranged to make room for 40–50 people.

On the enemy's destroyed map, a crimson umbrella was spread out in front with the words "Having fun without forgetting missions - May 22, 1954".

Champagne and candies, which were the prize won when the French parachute dropped, were served during the celebration. The 308th Brigade commanders stayed to clean up the battlefield along with military medical officers from the bride's side.

It was such a simple wedding but filled with smiles and blessings in the joy of victory.

After the wedding ceremony, the couple stood on the tank tower to take photos, looked over the surrounding villages and mountain forests, envisioning a post-war revival.

Not only serving as the couple's personal remembrance of their wedding, this image has become a "witness" to history.

Toan's family brought the photo with them when they returned to Dien Bien this time and handed it over to the provincial monument’s management board.

Pham Thi Thao, deputy director of the provincial monument’s management board, said "The love and marriage story at the De Castries bunker between the military physician Nguyen Thi Ngoc Toan and deputy commander Can Van Khanh has been learned by the department’s officers, guides and presenters. We tell this story to the visitors every day.”

“We've never seen her before. We were moved and motivated today seeing her return to the old battlefield, right at this memorial. We now have more relevant real stories to share with domestic and foreign tourists,” she said.