The victory at Dien Bien Phu over the French colonialists 55 years ago was one of Vietnam’s greatest military exploits and a landmark in the nation’s history of struggle against foreign invaders, said a Party official.

Lo Mai Trinh, Secretary of the Dien Bien provincial Party Committee, made the statement at a grand meeting in Dien Bien city on May 7 to celebrate the event.

She said the victory demonstrated the clear-sighted leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh and their clever use of military strategy as well as the Vietnamese people’s unity, patriotism and iron will to defeat foreign aggressors.

“The victory established the truth: A small nation which has an underdeveloped economy and a young army equipped with rudimentary weapons can defeat any enemy no matter how powerful they are, if it gathers the strength of the bloc of great national unity and receives international support,” said Mrs Trinh.

She said that upholding the spirit of “determination to fight, determination to win” which characterised the Dien Bien soldiers more than half a century ago, the Party Committee, administration and all ethnic groups in the province have united to overcome numerous difficulties and reap important successes in socio-economic development.

During the past few years, she said Dien Bien province has achieved an annual GDP growth rate of 10.7 percent, with per capita income last year reaching US$465. Its economic structure has shifted to favour industry, construction and services sectors and reduce dependence on the agro-forestry sector.

For its socio-economic development achievements, Dien Bien has been presented with many high distinctions from the Party and State, including the Gold Star Order, the Ho Chi Minh Order, the Independence Order (first and second class), and many Labour Orders of different types.

On the occasion, the Party and State decided to present the Ho Chi Minh Order to Dien Bien, acknowledging the province’s significant achievements during the Doi Moi (Renewal) process.

Lo Xuan Nam, Secretary of the provincial Youth Union, showed the local youth’s firm resolve to play the vanguard role in exemplary role model campaigns, including the application of advance technology to production, so as to build a prosperous province.

At the grand meeting, there was a military parade and a mass rally demonstrating the strength of the armed forces and the people of different ethnic groups in Dien Bien. Next came cultural and sports performances given by 1,000 professional and amateur artists and athletes.

In the evening, a special performance programme was held to raise funds for poor districts in Dien Bien.

VietNamNet/VOV