General Võ Nguyên Giáp (left) presents a book to Robert Muller, Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, in December 17, 2006. — VNA/VNS File Photo

HÀ NỘI — Today marks the 11th anniversary of the passing of General Võ Nguyên Giáp, a prominent military strategist in Việt Nam’s history renowned for his leadership in the victorious Điện Biên Phủ campaign in 1954, a crucial event that marked the end of the French colonial rule in Việt Nam.

General Giáp’s legacy transcends borders, not only holding a deep place in the hearts of the Vietnamese people but also resonating globally.

For Djoudi Noureddine, Chairman of the International Association of Algerian Revolution Friends, the memories of the legendary General remain fresh in his mind despite his old age.

The 90-year-old Chairman shared that he had the privilege to meet Giáp once in Algiers and once in Hà Nội, saying the General left a very strong impression on the Algerian people.

General Giáp is an outstanding historical figure and a reference for the liberation movements, not only a military man who organised the Vietnamese liberation army and succeeded in defeating the army of colonisers, Noureddine said.

“So, for us, obviously, the name of General Giáp and Điện Biên Phủ are closely linked. We had the opportunity to see him when he came to Algeria several times and we always had a lot of respect for him because he is truly an icon on the international level.”

Noureddine quoted General Giáp’s speech in Algeria during his historic tour to 12 African countries in October 1980: “Colonialism and imperialism are bad students, they have never understood history, the lesson of history.” Giáp’s words served as a source of inspiration for numerous Africans who strived to rise and struggle for their independence.

“For example, the Mozambicans, the Angolans, and the Guinea-Bissaus, they were inspired by both the action of General Giáp in Việt Nam and the liberation war in Algeria. He was a man who went beyond the borders of Việt Nam and became part of the international community.

“Along with President Hồ Chí Minh, General Võ Nguyên Giáp remains forever in the memory of the African peoples and especially those who fought for their independence,” Noureddine said.

Carl Thayer, Emeritus Professor at the University of New South Wales, described General Giáp as a self-taught military strategist who combined elements of Vietnamese military tradition and the theory of the people’s war, adding that Giáp learned through battlefield experience how to conduct people’s war.

It was General Võ Nguyên Giáp who defeated the French, one of the most modern military forces in the world at his time, Thayer said.

The Điện Biên Phủ victory under General Giáp’s command brought to an end the Anti-French resistance war, and this victory sounded not only the death knell of the French rule in Indochina but also the beginning of the end of colonialism in Asia and Africa, Thayer said.

Pierre Asselin, Professor of History at Hawaii Pacific University, said General Giáp is often lauded as a brilliant military leader, particularly thanks to his role in the battle of Điện Biên Phủ. His standout quality during this battle was his flexibility.

“He was very flexible,” Asselin said, elaborating that initially aiming for a quick victory, Giáp adjusted his tactics multiple times in response to the evolving situation. He transitioned from a rapid, high-casualty approach to a more measured one, eventually leading to success.

“This adaptability and willingness to change plans in the face of adversity were crucial to the Vietnamese victory,” Asselin said.

He added that Giáp’s ability to acknowledge and rectify mistakes sets him apart as a great leader, embodying a Vietnamese bamboo strategy characterised by adaptability and utility.

“This flexibility was instrumental in securing victory over the French forces at Điện Biên Phủ,” Asselin emphasised.

Meanwhile, Thayer said because of these accomplishments, General Giáp is widely respected by international leaders and friends as the military strategist who mastered the art of the people’s war by combining political struggle with military one in a protracted war that defeated both France and the US in the cause of Vietnamese independence against foreign aggression.

He is also widely viewed as a symbol of the Vietnamese nation thanks to his remarkable lifelong contributions to the cause of national building and defence, as well as the nation’s peaceful socio-economic development. — VNS