Top 10 Special Books Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory

In 'The Season of Ban Flowers Changing Their Dress,' Dien Bien is portrayed through magical mountain landscapes, heroic historical tales by the firelight, the warm emotions of the ethnic communities, and the beautiful ban flowers that bloom as delicately as a woven fabric of nostalgia. The late-blooming ban flowers, white and stirring in the golden summer sun, awaken memories of passionate youth during the days of working on the transport route for the war effort... 'After six years of living and working in Dien Bien, I have always harbored the plan to write a book about this sacred land. It felt like a small ban flower in my chest was stirring, urging me to pick up the pen. When the experiences ripened and the feelings touched me, I poured them into the novel 'The Season of Ban Flowers Changing Their Dress,' naturally and simply. And I ask myself, does the ban tree have a heart, or has my heart just grown a ban tree?' - Phan Đức Lộc

The book 'General Võ Nguyên Giáp in His Youth' consists of three chapters: Hometown, Family, and Childhood; Adolescence; Stepping into Life. The book recounts the period from when the General was born until his release from the Thừa Phủ prison. General Giáp reviewed the manuscript before it was published to mark the 50th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory. The book utilizes many valuable materials, including historical documents and especially the letters — precious keepsakes that General Giáp's family has carefully preserved for over fifty years. Additionally, Lieutenant General Phạm Hồng Cư conducted in-depth research on numerous international sources, including interviews with the General's childhood friends and relatives from his hometown. Lieutenant General Phạm Hồng shared: 'At 20, Giáp was not only a student but also a journalist, a history teacher. In addition to his burning patriotism, he displayed exceptional intelligence and talent, qualities that later shone through in his military strategies. These attributes contributed to his success in leading Vietnam to defeat two major empires: colonial France and imperialist America. When Ho Chi Minh first met General Võ Nguyên Giáp, his sharp eyes recognized that this person had a unique military aptitude, someone who could take on important military assignments, even though he had never attended a formal military academy.' By reading 'General Võ Nguyên Giáp in His Youth,' readers will gain a deeper understanding of the innocent, playful childhood, the spirited, heroic youth, and the family and social context that shaped this great leader of the nation, one of the 21 greatest military commanders of the world in the past 25 centuries.

The battle of Hill A1, which began on March 31, 1954, marked the opening engagement in the second and third phases of the Điện Biên Phủ campaign. The goal of the People's Army of Vietnam in this battle was to eliminate the Eliane 2 resistance center located on the eastern hill positions of Điện Biên Phủ, known as Hill A1. 'The Story of Hill A1' by Nguyễn Tân recounts the fierce and prolonged battle over 38 days and nights during the Điện Biên Phủ campaign, as narrated by a grandfather to his grandchild. Through letters, the grandfather describes the detailed events of this historic battle. 'One can defeat an army, but not a nation.' - General De Castries (French Commander) 'The thunder of Điện Biên Phủ will echo forever. Vietnam – Hồ Chí Minh – Điện Biên Phủ! The world celebrates with Vietnam. Vietnam – Hồ Chí Minh – Điện Biên Phủ! The voices affirming the right to live, the right of every nation to exist. These voices have become part of the language of all nations. The voices that resound with pride.' - Excerpt from Điện Biên Phủ – The Historic Crossroads Link to purchase: https://tiki.vn/sach-chuyen-o-doi-a1-p274911066.html?spid=274911067

The novel 'Beyond the Mountain' tells the story of a boy named Hòe 'Black,' born in a peaceful village at the foot of Mount Cóc. Throughout his childhood, he would often wonder about the mysteries beyond the horizon of the mountain. Growing up during the country's tumultuous historical periods, Hòe witnessed events such as the 1945 Famine, the August Revolution, and the National Resistance Day. Fleeing his home, he joined a military unit marching to the Việt Bắc jungle, bringing his violin along to perform with the troupe for the Điện Biên Phủ campaign. On the day of victory, he was reunited with his beloved father.

'Beyond the Mountain' is a wonderful children's novel by Xuân Sách, filled with family love and friendships, yet still maintaining a pure and innocent tone.

Link to purchase: shopee.vn/Sách-Phía-núi-bên-kia-(Kim-Đồng)-i.49835703.24626254304?

'The Glorious Red Flag' is a collection of short stories by writer Hồ Phương. It not only portrays the heroism and sacrifices of Hồ Chí Minh’s soldiers, the Điện Biên warriors, but also the stories of the local people who supported the campaign with great dedication, uniting in their love for the country and determination to expel the French invaders.

In the opening of 'The Glorious Red Flag,' readers will hold their breath as they witness the fierce battles of the Điện Biên Phủ front, vividly described by the soldier-author Hồ Phương: 'After our forces destroyed the Him Lam fortress, the Independence Hill outpost, and forced the enemy to retreat from Bản Kéo Hill, the Điện Biên Phủ front entered its second phase. Our troops dug trenches on the western plains, gradually tightening the encirclement around the Mường Thanh center. The trenches stretched night after night, connecting and gradually closing in, like a massive noose slowly tightening around the neck of General De Castries'...

These brief summaries and excerpts from the 150-page captivating narrative of 'The Glorious Red Flag' truly serve as a documentary film reel about the intense moments of battle, about the will to fight and win, and the readiness to sacrifice for the mission. The ingenuity in combat tactics and the spirit of teamwork, from squads to battalions, are displayed through admirable examples. All these efforts contributed to the collective strength of the nation to secure the 'world-shattering victory.'

Link to purchase: shopee.vn/Sách-Lá-cờ-chuẩn-đỏ-thắm-(Kim-Đồng)-i.49835703.24823825843?

Memories of Điện Biên is a collection of short stories written by renowned authors about the Điện Biên Phủ campaign. The nine selected works are nine portraits of those who contributed to the victory at Điện Biên Phủ.

Among these stories, we encounter writings from authors like Nguyễn Đình Thi, Chu Phác, Vũ Cao, Hồ Phương, Cao Tiến Lê, Du An, bringing diverse perspectives to the campaign's significance.

This collection vividly portrays the warriors who 'made the pilgrimage to Điện Biên,' determined to face any challenge, never hesitating or retreating. It also reflects the silent moments after the war, capturing the deep nostalgia and grief of the Điện Biên soldiers who longed for their fallen comrades.

Link to purchase: https://nxbkimdong.com.vn/products/nhung-ki-uc-dien-bien

To assist parents, young pioneers, children, local youth organizations, teachers, and team leaders in studying and organizing educational activities, Kim Đồng Publishing House has released 70 Questions and Answers about the Victory at Điện Biên Phủ.

Presented in a friendly format, this book includes short, concise questions and answers about locations, strategies, campaigns, historical significance, and heroes, offering an invaluable resource for those eager to learn about the history. It also serves as an educational tool for Hồ Chí Minh Young Pioneer teams and schools across the nation.

Link to purchase: shopee.vn/product/142856269/24727396185?

Sketches from the Trenches was first published in Vietnam after many years of being available to global readers. Prior to its release in Vietnam, the English and French editions of the diary were published in 2005 and 2011 respectively.

The book is a diary by artist Pham Thanh Tam (1932-2019), who documented his experience during the Dien Bien Phu Campaign as a war correspondent for the Quyết Thắng newspaper – the newspaper of the 351st artillery division. The work was written directly in the trenches amidst the bombardment and is divided into three parts: The Road to the Battlefield, In the Trenches, and Back to the Rear.

• The Road to the Battlefield captures the portraits of Pham Thanh Tam's encounters along the journey to the battlefield, including military laborers, engineers constructing roads, youth volunteers, artillerymen...
• In the Trenches consists of the diary entries written over the 55 days and nights of the Dien Bien Phu campaign. These notes are a living record, essential for anyone wishing to understand the events of the battle.
• Back to the Rear reflects the joy of victory and contemplations about the future of the war to achieve lasting peace.

In addition to the diary's text, the book is noteworthy for its visual content, which includes 16 pages of original diary entries, sketches of battle maps, wartime artifacts... Most notably, there are over 30 sketches drawn by the author in the trenches.

Purchase link: shopee.vn/Sách-Kim-Đồng-Kí-Hoạ-Trong-Chiến-Hào-Bìa-Cứng-i.2921062.24578954674?

The book series Young Heroes consists of three volumes depicting the portraits, heroic deeds, and the courageous sacrifices of three resilient soldiers during the Dien Bien Phu Campaign: Phan Dinh Giot – the hero who used his body to fill a foxhole, Be Van Dan – who used his body as a gun rest to enable his comrades to shoot the enemy, and To Vinh Dien – the hero who used his body to prop up artillery.

The story of these three heroic Dien Bien soldiers is vividly brought to life through the concise storytelling of authors Hoai Loc and Hieu Minh, along with the vibrant color illustrations by artist Le Minh Hai. This series is part of the 70th Anniversary Commemoration of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (1954 – 2024).

Purchase link: shopee.vn/Sách-Bộ-sách-Những-anh-hùng-trẻ-tuổi-i.403520063.25172503895?

The Kim Dong Publishing House introduces to readers 17 diverse works in various formats and genres: novels, short stories, poetry, essays, diaries, graphic novels... on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 – May 7, 2024). These publications vividly capture the moments, circumstances, and spirit of the people who participated in the campaign with a deep longing for independence and freedom for the homeland...

Many of the works launched during this period have been meticulously crafted in terms of art. The book “Stories of Dien Bien Phu” by author Huu Mai provides the most fundamental depiction of the “famous worldwide” Dien Bien Phu Campaign, featuring detailed, dynamic color illustrations by artist Nguyen The Phuong.

Purchase link: shopee.vn/Sách-Kể-chuyện-Điện-Biên-Phủ-(Kim-Đồng)-i.49835703.25126257205?