Paris seminar on Dien Bien Phu Victory

Attendees included historian Alain Ruscio, former correspondent of L’Humanite newspaper in Vietnam from 1978-1980, former French ambassador to Vietnam Claude Blanchemaison, French war veterans, Communist Party of France members and French friends who have feeling for Vietnam.

The event reviewed the results and significance of the nine-year war resistance against the French colonialists which ended with the resounding Dien Bien Phu battle victory.

Alain Ruscio explained the historical background of the Dien Bien Phu campaign and highlighted the role played by General Giap in the campaign which concluded French colonial rule, marking a turning point in the struggle for independence and decolonisation around the globe in the 20^th century.

Despite its predominance in troop strength and weaponry, the French army was defeated as it underestimated the Vietnamese people who spared no efforts to safeguard their country’s independence and freedom.

Recalling his meetings with General Giap, Blanchemaison described him as a plain man who loved French literary works and the values of the French Revolution in 1789.

Participants also emphasized the role of other Vietnamese officials such as Le Duc Tho and Nguyen Thi Binh who made significant contributions to the signing of the 1973 Paris Accords, ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam.

They also touched upon Vietnam’s post-war development and the two nations’ joint efforts to develop a sound Vietnam-France for decades which culminated with the signing of a strategic partnership agreement during Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s trip to France in 2013.