Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu Victory in the Air: The 20th Century Epic

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung speaks at the ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Hanoi-Dien Bien Phu victory in the air. (Photo: VNA)

50 years ago, during the 12 days and nights at the end of 1972, the army and people of the Capital fought bravely, smashing the strategic air raid of the US imperialists to sabotage North Vietnam, establishing the heroic and resounding victory of "Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air", forcing the US Government to sign the Paris Agreement, ending the war in Vietnam, contributing to the complete liberation of the South and reunification of the Fatherland.

Speaking at the Commemoration Ceremony, recalling the heroic years of our nation in the victory of “Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air” organized by Hanoi City in coordination with the Ministry of National Defense on the morning of December 26, at the Hanoi Friendship Cultural Palace, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung emphasized that, with the name: “Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air” - the event is a unique miracle, of historical significance in the 20th century and is a brilliant heroic song of the Vietnamese people fighting against foreign invaders and defending the country.

Accordingly, in 12 days and nights of intelligent and creative fighting, with a strong will, strong belief, and upholding the spirit of "Determination to die for the survival of the Fatherland," the army and people of Hanoi Capital, Hai Phong City, and several northern localities closely coordinated with the armed forces, the core of which was the Air Defense - Air Force, to completely defeat the unprecedented large-scale strategic air raid, shooting down 81 aircraft of all types, including 34 B-52 bombers.

The victory of “Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air” has gone down in history. Hanoi has continued the heroic tradition, highlighted the spirit of Thang Long - Dong Do, and shone with the civilized and cultural values ​​of the nation. Hanoi is the love, faith and hope of the whole country.

Emphasizing the capital Hanoi - the heart of the whole country, according to the Head of the Hanoi Party Committee, the Party Committee, people and armed forces of the capital always inherit and promote valuable lessons from the revolutionary struggle, for the cause of national liberation and national reunification, including lessons drawn from the fierce and arduous battle in 12 days and nights at the end of 1972 that led to the victory of Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air, from which to flexibly apply and develop in accordance with today's conditions, meeting practical requirements, serving the cause of building the capital, building and defending the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

He affirmed that today's generation of Hanoians will continue to inherit and promote the heroic spirit of Thang Long, the thousand-year-old culture, the heroic tradition of the Capital, and promote the spirit of victory "Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air," the courage, indomitable will, intelligence, creativity and noble qualities of our cadres, soldiers and compatriots who are ready to sacrifice everything for the independence of the nation, the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland and Socialism.

At the ceremony, the Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee also called on the entire Party, cadres, soldiers and people of all walks of life in the capital to continue to promote the spirit of patriotism, the will to be self-reliant and self-reliant, and the strength of great national unity, to learn from and follow the steadfast and indomitable example of our predecessors, the heroic example, the determination and bravery of generations of heroic martyrs... to be determined to comprehensively promote the cause of innovation, rapid and sustainable development, to build and develop the capital Hanoi into a cultured, civilized and modern one.

Lieutenant General, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Pham Tuan speaks. (Photo: Van Diep/VNA)

Before the historical significance of the above event, Lieutenant General Pham Tuan, Hero of the People's Armed Forces, also emphasized that 50 years have passed, but the spirit and momentum of the victory "Hanoi-Dien Bien Phu in the air" still resonates forever and is a heroic epic about the will, mettle and intelligence of Vietnam under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

"Those lessons continue to be summarized, studied, and applied in the cause of building and defending the Socialist Republic of Vietnam," said Lieutenant General Pham Tuan.

According to VNA