The Dien Bien Phu war caused the French to fail

Today, we will discuss the Dien Bien Phu campaign, which took place on September 2, 1945. On this day, Japan surrendered to the Allied forces, marking the end of World War II. At Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh announced the Declaration of Independence, leading to the creation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. This event opened a new chapter for the Vietnamese people. After disarming the Japanese army, France reestablished its control over Indochina. During this time, the new Vietnamese government faced many challenges. President Ho Chi Minh sought peace to foster stability, signing the Vietnam-France preliminary agreement on March 6, 1946, and the Vietnam-France provisional agreement on September 14, 1946. However, as the French colonialists became more aggressive, it became clear they were intent on reclaiming Vietnam. The Vietnamese people felt the need to unite and fight against colonialism, believing that everyone, regardless of gender or religion, had a role to play in this battle. The struggle to free the country began in earnest in 1953, following years of conflict. France was struggling in this war, suffering significant losses. In July 1953, they attempted to regain control through the Nava plan. The Dien Bien Phu campaign would ultimately be the decisive battle that thwarted these efforts, ending French ambitions in Indochina and strengthening the Vietnamese position at the negotiating table. Dien Bien Phu is a valley approximately 15 km long and 5 km wide, located about 300 km from Hanoi, close to the Vietnam-Laos border. This area was strategically important, serving as a base for French forces starting November 20, 1953. By early March 1954, French troops in Dien Bien Phu included 12 battalions and 7 companies, totaling around 16,200 soldiers spread across various strongholds. They were heavily armed with advanced military equipment. The French felt secure due to the tough terrain and believed they had the upper hand, but the situation would soon change.