Vietnam News Agency has launched a specialised website to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ victory. — VNS Photo Đoàn Tùng

HÀ NỘI — An online exhibition presenting photos of heroic moments of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign and the transformation of Điện Biên's historical land after 70 years has been opened by Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

The exhibition features 70 black-and-white and colour photos carefully selected from thousands within the VNA photo archives. It can be accessed at dienbienphu.vnanet.vn.

Visitors to the website can also see diverse and in-depth information through various formats like text, graphics, mega stories or podcasts that are available in Vietnamese, French and English.

“As the national news agency, VNA aims to widely disseminate this valuable information to the public on the 70th anniversary of the Victory of Điện Biên Phủ (May 7, 1954 – May 7, 2024),” said VNA General Director Vũ Việt Trang at the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

“This specialised platform enables a comprehensive view of the magnitude of the historic Victory of Điện Biên Phủ, along with continuously updated information on the nation's sentiments towards Điện Biên. This includes various meaningful activities aimed at expressing gratitude and appreciation to commemorate the historical event,” she added.

The exhibited photos are divided into two themes – Điện Biên Phủ Victory “Resonating Throughout Five Continents and World-Shaking” and Điện Biên Aspiration. These photographs were captured by generations of VNA journalists.

President Hồ Chí Minh and the Party Central Committee's Standing Committee discuss the launch of the 1953-1954 Winter-Spring Strategic Offensive and the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign with a determination to destroy the Điện Biên Phủ fortress of the French army. — VNA/VNS Photo

The first part vividly portrays the strategic vision of the Vietnamese Party, the courageous spirit of the Điện Biên soldiers, and the unity of the people nationwide, who devoted their utmost efforts and resources to the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign.

They are shown via images of convoys of vehicles carrying weapons and supplies, forming a continuous line towards Điện Biên, or those of heavy artillery being pulled into the "fiery cauldron" of Điện Biên amidst harsh conditions of relentless bombing and heavy storms.

The second part of the exhibition portrays a Điện Biên that is continuously developing and transforming into an attractive tourist destination and a place to educate the younger generation about patriotic traditions.

General Võ Nguyên Giáp meets soldiers who fought in the Battle of Điện Biên Phủ 50 years ago on his visit to Điện Biên in 2004. — VNA/VNS Photo Tùng Lâm

“VNA believes that this special information platform and online photo exhibition commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Victory of Điện Biên Phủ will continue to ignite the spirit of The Victory of Điện Biên - the Strength of Việt Nam, the Monument of the Era,” Trang noted.

On December 6, 1953, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, led by President Hồ Chí Minh, decided to launch the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign. The decision was of great historical significance, demonstrating the Party’s correct and wise strategic vision.

After 56 days and nights of heroic and resilient fighting, the Vietnamese soldiers and people smashed the Điện Biên Phủ stronghold on May 7, 1954, creating a historical turning point that led to a great change in the situation on the battlefield. The victory forced the French government to sign the Geneva Accord on ending the war and restoring the peace in Indochina, successfully finishing the nine-year arduous resistance struggle of the Vietnamese nation against the French colonial empire.

The Điện Biên Phủ Victory, which "resounded throughout five continents and shattered the world", is a glorious and epoch-making milestone in Vietnamese history, contributing to the national liberation movement and signalling the collapse of old-style colonialism on a global scale. — VNS