The victory at Dien Bien Phu is a pivotal moment in Vietnamese history. To truly understand the significance of this battle, you can delve into the powerful emotions it evoked through historical films and songs.

4 must-watch films about Dien Bien Phu’s victory

Hoa ban do (Red Bauhinia)

“Hoa ban do” is a famous film released in 1994, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory (1954 – 1994). Unlike other war films, “Hoa ban do” has an unique approach by not focusing too much on images of battles but instead chooses to show the quiet moments of wartime such as cultural performances to encourage the soldiers’ spirit and gentle love stories…

The film was produced in 1993 and 1994 with a grand budget, nearly 100% of the scenes were carefully and realistically built. Thanks to careful investment, “Hoa ban do” convincingly and attractively recreates history, surpassing many historical films of the same period.

Ky uc Dien Bien (Memories of Dien Bien)

In 2004, on the 50th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory, “Ky uc Dien Bien” was produced with a budget of over 13 billion VND – a huge investment at that time. The film attracts viewers with an interweaving of memories and the present and a skilful combination of memories and future aspirations.

Fighting scenes are depicted realistically and vividly so that the audience can feel the danger and sacrifice of the soldiers in close-quarters combat when Vietnamese and French troops are only a few meters apart or directly facing each other.

“Dien Bien Phu – The Battle Between the Tiger and the Elephant”

“Dien Bien Phu – The Battle Between the Tiger and the Elephant” is a documentary by French director Daniel Roussel. The film was copyrighted and broadcast by Vietnam Television on the 55th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory – in May 2009.

He made the film over 10 years, from 1991 to 2006. The director had many opportunities to meet with General Vo Nguyen Giap. Therefore, he depicted the decisive role of the General on the Dien Bien Phu battlefield, which not only brought independence to the Indochinese countries but also inspired the spirit of the national liberation movement around the world.

Duong len Dien Bien (The Road to Dien Bien)

“Duong Len Dien Bien” by director Bui Tuan Dung is a film commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory. This is the first feature-length film about this historic victory. The film was made in 1954 and tells the story of young soldiers leaving the capital to fight the war and the beautiful and gentle female porters.

The film mainly revolves around the journey of the 5th Battalion through the Northwest to participate in the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Parallel to them is the journey of 500 female porters. Love and bullets, blood and tears are depicted romantically and tragically, permeating and spanning from the first episode to the end of the film.

4 songs composed during the Dien Bien Phu campaign

Qua Mien Tay Bac (Through the Northwest) – Composer Nguyen Thanh

Composer Nguyen Thanh wrote the piece “Qua mien Tay Bac” before the Dien Bien Phu campaign. The poetic and realistic song expresses the passionate patriotism of our soldiers. Nguyen Thanh composed this song at the top of Khau Vac Pass, over 2,000 meters high, which is the gateway to Dien Bien.

Hanh Quan Xa (Marching Far Away) – Composer Do Nhuan

The representative piece “Hanh Quan Xa” truthfully reflected the just war and the heroism of our people. With gentle, concise, easy-to-understand, and sincere words of encouragement for officers and soldiers, this song accompanied them, helping them overcome arduous marches.

Ho Keo Phao (Pulling the Artillery) – Composer Hoang Van

An unforgettable image during the battle in Dien Bien is the image of “Pulling the artillery in, pulling the artillery out.” The composer recounted: “Under the moonlight, hundreds of soldiers wore defensive uniforms, bending forward, dragging their feet. Their strong arms gripped the ropes, pulling the artillery…”

All those images and sounds created a magnificent painting, an atmosphere full of determination and vibrant determination that resounded through the mountains and forests of Dien Bien. “Ho Keo Phao” was composed right on the front.

Giai Phong Dien Bien (Liberation of Dien Bien) – Composer Do Nhuan

The birth of “Giai Phong Dien Bien” was recorded by composer Do Nhuan in his memoir as follows: “On May 7, 1954, we were digging and laying stones when in the afternoon, a comrade from the frontlines rode a bicycle over and shouted, ‘The enemy has surrendered Muong Thanh! Dien Bien is liberated!’ All the construction workers stopped digging, embraced each other, and danced without needing music…”

The song was born from that moment. The song concludes with soaring lyrics: “Mountains and rivers rise/Our country shines brightly/Dien Bien’s fields, the victory flag soars high in the sky.”

 

Compiled from: Báo Tiền Phong, Báo ĐCSVN, Báo Nghệ An