National Archive on Dien Bien Phu Campaign

The documents are being kept at the National Archive Center No. 3 of the State Records Management and Archives Department of Vietnam.

The National Archives Center No. 3 is showcasing some 200 original documents which describe the historical circumstances, developments, results, and meaning of the Dien Bien Phu campaign and the Geneva Conference.

The documents also cover activities of people nationwide to support the Dien Bien Phu campaign, the role of General Vo Nguyen Giap, the Commander-in-Chief of the campaign, public opinion and the attitude of international friends toward the campaign, and the policy of the government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on caring for wounded, sick, and captured soldiers.

Tran Viet Hoa, director of National Archives Center No. 3, said, “We are introducing documents from the beginning of the Dien Bien Phu campaign, including documents in both Vietnamese and foreign archives. There are guidelines of the Party, the Government, and President Ho Chi Minh. The documents were collected from the Vietnamese government, State agencies, press agencies, historical witnesses, and foreign archives in France and Russia.”

There are plenty of documents depicting the optimistic spirit among Vietnamese soldiers and civilians to fight and support the fight, the leadership, the wise decisions and strategies of the Party, Government, and Vietnamese People’s Army, the power of solidarity and unanimity of all Vietnamese people to win the war and defend national independence.

Colonel Nguyen Boi Giong, former senior expert with the War History Review Department of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army  and assistant to General Vo Nguyen Giap, said, “When talking about the Dien Bien Phu campaign, we must talk about the Party Central Committee’s Resolution. It’s special because, for the first time, it clearly stated that we were determined to use military measures to win national independence. Following this Resolution we launched the Dien Bien Phu campaign. It’s useful to review the milestones of the campaign for people to understand.”

Archives of the 1954 Geneva Conference on restoring peace in Indochina include papers and images of the historical circumstances, developments, and results of the Geneva conference, its impact, the implementation of the Geneva Accords, and international opinions. There are many statements on the positions and views of the parties participating in the conference, and on the support of international friends for Vietnam.

Nguyen Ha Tiep shared his feeling while looking at the display of documents, “The original documents on display are very important for anyone who studies history. These are the authentic materials of that historical period. The documents have been well preserved.”

The archives of the Dien Bien Phu campaign and the 1954 Geneva Conference have been safely preserved and arranged for public study. They honor Vietnam’s tradition of patriotism and unity to protect national independence.