Fiery May on Hill A1 base

A1 is our army's code for a hill; the French called this place Eliane 2. This is one of the most important bases protecting the Dien Bien Phu Base Group Command. Here, the enemy deployed many troops, strong firepower with a solid, sturdy fortification system.

Relic A1 (Elian 2 base) is located next to National Highway 279 (Vo Nguyen Giap Street) in Muong Thanh Ward, Dien Bien Phu City, Dien Bien Province.

This stronghold has an area of ​​53,000m2, 32m high above the road, belongs to the eastern hill range together with C1, C2, D and E, forming a solid wall protecting the central sector. This is also the last high point directly protecting the French Command Post and is considered the "key" of the entire Dien Bien Phu stronghold complex.

At exactly 8:30 p.m. on May 6, 1954, a nearly 1,000-kg explosive block exploded a few dozen meters from the enemy's underground bunker, blowing away the bunker above and taking with it most of the 2nd French parachute company stationed there. The explosion of the explosive block was the signal for our general attack on the entire Dien Bien Phu front in 1954.

Now, Base A1 has become a red address for veteran groups and tourists from all over the world every time they visit Dien Bien.

Coming here, visitors not only understand more about the history...

...but also feel more clearly the hardships and sacrifices of the fathers' generation for the independence and freedom of the nation.

A1 National Martyrs Cemetery seen from A1 Hill is where 645 remains of martyrs who died at the A1 "meat grinder" are buried. The attack on the stronghold on A1 Hill was one of the most heroic battles of our army and people in the Dien Bien Phu campaign, lasting 39 days and nights. More than 2,000 of our officers and soldiers heroically sacrificed their lives here.

Tourists visit A1 hill

The presence of Royal Poinciana trees with bright red flower clusters adds more emphasis and appeal to the historic "fire hill" every May.

According to VOV