After 9 years of arduous resistance, in 1954, the Vietnamese people made the Dien Bien Phu victory " Illustrious in five continents, shaking the globe", ending the resistance war against the French colonialists.
This was the first time in the history of the world that a "colonial" army defeated a professional European army, as noted by the British historian Martin Windrow: “For the first time a non-European independence movement that grew out of guerrilla forces that defeated a European invader in battle”.
That victory is not only of great significance to the Vietnamese people but also a strong encouragement for the peoples of other colonial countries in the world in their journey to against the aggression war, seeking independence for our nation as commented by Major General Kiangiap (Burma): "When the imperialists were confused at Dien Bien Phu, we had a favorable opportunity to destroy the Kuomintang operated under the same strategy of the slave-owner empire. Therefore, the victory of Dien Bien Phu not only encouraged us spiritually but also helped us to be indebted to the brave Vietnamese people."
The Vietnamese People's Army banned the victory flag from the roof of General De Castries' bunker on May 7, 1954.
With the "inspiration" named Vietnam, the colonial peoples in many places stood up to overthrow colonialism and regain control of the country, first of all in the countries being colonized by the French. After the battle of Dien Bien Phu, African soldiers returned home with lessons from the Vietnam War; many of them became soldiers, who led the national liberation movement in their homeland as in the case of soldier Slimane Hoffman. He was an Algerian lieutenant serving in the French army, after the Dien Bien Phu campaign applied to join the Viet Minh ranks, but was advised that : "We did our duty for our country. You also have the Fatherland, do your duty for your country".
The country at the forefront of this movement is Algeria. Soon to be dominated and suppressed by colonialism since 1830, the people of Algeria have always lived in poverty. Struggle movements have also arisen, but on a small and discrete scale, they are not effective. And Algieri found himself the right way to gain independence for the nation from the victory of the Vietnamese people in the Dien Bien Phu campaign. In November 1954, Algerian soldiers fired the first revolutionary shot to launch an armed uprising to gain national independence in 8 years for their people.
The Algerian national liberation movement thrived, the National Liberation Front (FLN) led the uprisings, uprisings and then turned into a long, arduous armed war for 8 years. In 1958, an Algerian army delegation also went to Vietnam and was warmly and thoughtfully welcomed by Uncle Ho. By the end of 1962, the People of Algieri forced the French Government to recognize independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, ending the 132-year rule of colonialism here. Assessing this, Abdelkader Bensalah - President of the Upper House of Algieri said: "Vietnam is a great inspiration. The heroic struggle of the Vietnamese people inspired us to go to the end in the resistance war for independence. Vietnam is a symbol of freedom and courage. The Dien Bien Phu victory answered the question that the Vietnamese people could defeat the colonial empire, so why couldn't Algeria?
Photo: Le Parisien newspaper, May 8, 1954, reported the fall of Dien Bien Phu.
Like a chain reaction that spread around the world, followed by Algeria, a series of other French colonies in Africa such as Morocco, Tunisia, Guinea, Mali, Madagascar, Cameroon... revolted strongly, rapidly and rapidly, forcing the French colonialists to have no other way but to return their independence to these countries. In 1960 alone, 17 countries gained their independence, the world is also known as the "year of Africa." These are all French colonies in West Africa and equatorial Africa, Madagascar, which are protected territories. French protectorate; Togo and Cameroon, the British Nigeria, the Belgian Congo, the British Somalia and Somalia under Italian protectorate were also reunited and declared a republic. In the 1960s, a series of demonstrations and strikes demanding higher living standards for workers and against apartheid broke out in South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rhodedia, etc. The rapid rise of the Internet made the rate of collapse of the colonial system of colonialism faster.If before the Second World War, the "black continent" only had two countries, Etopia and Liberia. nominal independence, by 1968, up to 39 countries on this continent (including 85% of the territory and 93% of the population) had won with varying degrees of independence.
For countries in Latin America, Dien Bien Phu is like an "illumination", a "guide for action". The patriotic poet of the island nation of Haiti, René Depestre, commented: “…The Dien Bien Phu victory has international historical importance and has opened a new era. new stage in the heroic struggle of the colonial peoples to liberate themselves from the yoke of British, French, Belgian and American imperialism. The spirit of Dien Bien Phu today is a spotlight for millions of oppressed people around the world, and loyalty to that glorious spirit is the only guarantee of victory in revolutionary action against the domination of nationalism in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Today, the brilliant awakening of the peoples of Latin America, with Cuba as the vanguard, is following the brilliant flight path of Dien Bien Phu. Cuban friends always consider: "Vietnam's victory has been a great and bright hope for us, has encouraged us to fight".
Dien Bien Phu was the "lead bait" for the outbreak of national liberation movements in Latin American countries, empowering them to stand up against the pro-American dictatorship with a series of strikes. Public demonstrations, demonstrations, and struggles for the establishment of progressive governments, along with armed uprisings took place continuously and strongly, creating more "Dien Bien Phu of Latin America" making this continent a continent. burning earth”. With rich and diverse forms of struggle, many Latin American countries such as Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru... overthrew reactionary dictatorial governments, established national and democratic governments, and won national self-determination. With the recognition of the independence of a series of countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the Western imperialist countries must acknowledge the collapse of old colonialism around the world. French journalist Jules Roy also noted the impact of the battle of Dien Bien Phu: "It was one of the great defeats of the West, signaling the disintegration of the colonies and the end of a republic. The thunder of the Dien Bien Phu event is still ongoing echo".
It can be said that the movement for freedom and independence from the victory of Dien Bien Phu until the 60s of the twentieth century, overthrew the yoke of colonialism and imperialism in most countries around the world. Whether directly or indirectly, the historical victory of Dien Bien Phu and the path to independence and freedom of the Vietnamese people have encouraged, contributed to more information, opened a bright future for the people's liberation movement. tribes around the world.
Algerians celebrate independence day 5/7/1962.
Cuban President Fidel Castro during a victory parade in Havana's Capital Square in 1959.