Hanoi: The 'epic victory' of Dien Bien Phu as seen in photos

Jenna Duong

May 04, 2024 / 06:53 PM

Precious moments from the Dien Bien Phu Campaign in 1954 were captured by a veteran Vietnamese war correspondent and popularized on postage stamps.

Seventy archival photos of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign by the late reporter Trieu Dai are on display at the Vietnam Women's Museum until May 12 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954- 2024).

Visitors to the exhibition. Photo: Vietnamese Women’s Museum

Trieu Dai (1920-1992) is considered the only reporter in Vietnam who covered the entire development of the battle of Dien Bien Phu, from the beginning to the end.

This exhibition features 70 of the most outstanding photos selected from the late reporter's photo archive.

According to the organizers of the event, in addition to the acclaimed photos such as Vietnamese Flag Flies High Over De Castries' Bunker; President Ho Chi Minh Appoints

General Vo Nguyen Giap as Chief Commander of Dien Bien Phu Campaign; the Politburo Discusses Dien Bien Phu Campaign, and others, there are also photos published for the first time.

Born in 1920 in Thanh Tri District, Hanoi, the late war reporter Trieu Dai joined the army in 1947. He is regarded as a frontline reporter and author of many valuable historical documentary photos, including photos of the Border Campaign, Fall-Winter 1950; the Dien Bien Phu Campaign in 1954, as well as photos depicting the daily lives of soldiers and local people during these fierce battles.

General Vo Nguyen Giap once said: "I appreciate Trieu Dai's photographs of Dien Bien Phu. Although he did not directly fight in the battle, his 'weapon' is his own camera. His wonderful historical photos are the achievements of a photojournalist."

President Ho Chi Minh assigned the task to General Vo Nguyen Giap, Chief Commander of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. Photo: Trieu Dai

President Ho Chi Minh in Border Campaign, Fall- Winter 1950.

To commemorate the victory, a set of stamps entitled "Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory" will also be issued by Vietnam Post on May 5.

The "70th Anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory (1954 - 2024)" stamp set is designed to show the continuity from the heroic past to the bright future of Dien Bien Province.

Designed by Vietnam Post artist Nguyen Du, the stamp set includes four borderless designs measuring 32 x 43 mm and one stamp block, priced from VND4,000 to VND15,000 (US$0.15-$0.8).

Each stamp has its own theme, such as "Be Sure of Victory Before the Battle", "The Whole Country Devotes Itself to War", "The Heroic Song", and "Prosperity and Happiness".

According to the artist, the four stamps are designed in four different hues, but have a harmonious transition from warm orange to fresh blue. "They represent the message of the continuity of life, from the harshness of war to the hope of a better future," he said.

In addition, brocade motifs of ethnic costumes of Thai people, who have been living in Dien Bien Province for a long time, are drawn as the background of stamps to honor the value of local culture.