Top 20 Best Poems Written About Dien Bien Phu

Only a field of fresh green grass is visible

White clouds float, unexpectedly drifting by

A branch of phoenix flowers sways with a cluster of bright red blossoms

Is that all?

But this is A1

This is Him Lam

He has passed more than twenty years

To rediscover his youthful excitement

Listening to the sound of bombs and cannons

Roaring from the pages of his school books…

And today, standing before Him Lam

He bends down to the place where he once lay, Giót

And suddenly realizes: the greatest surprise

Is that he feels no surprise at all

He has traveled

From the battlefield of Dien Bien to the Dien Bien market

The scent of ripe fruits fills the mountain streets

So familiar, he can no longer recall

Where this love of his began

The earth beneath his feet, the sky so vividly above

He meets a rusted tank, half-buried in the rice fields

Like a burning ember hidden within a flame

The flame is green

The Đơ Casteri tunnel snugly sits along the road

After returning from the market, Sister Thái rests, looking into a mirror

Could it be that today, before the green valley's hue

He finally understands: innocence is life itself

Surrounded by the lively, fresh grass

He feels a sudden nostalgia for a flag

That once rose from that very grass

Its red hue blazing like a fire

Burning down enemy outposts

He is not like the carefree white cloud

On top of the silent Pú Hồng Mèo peak

His heart beats a simple message:

The grass remains forever green, year after year

The flag that rose once, will only rise once

But there is one thing –

Both are eternal.

- Anh Ngọc -

On November 20th, the year before,

The French troops parachuted into Dien Bien Phu.

Twenty-one of their most elite battalions,

Tanks and heavy artillery stacked high.

They boasted: 'The Nava plan

Is bold and brilliant.'

This time, the Viet Minh will surely know defeat,

And our American masters will be pleased to take over!'

Rebellious newspapers around the world

Echoed their praises of Nava far and wide.

On our side:

The troops and workers were resolute,

Building paths through the mountains, fording rivers,

Overcoming difficulties and dangers;

Determined to crush the enemy’s forces;

Quietly preparing for months and days,

Enduring hardships and bitterness;

Determined to fulfill the mission,

Promised to Uncle Ho, the Party, and the Government.

On March 13th, we attacked,

While the enemy was still dreaming:

'We have American support to supply us;

High-flying planes, low-riding tanks,

With Nava and Cô Nhi to command,

Great generals leading our charge.

This time, we will definitely win,

The Viet Minh will flee in panic.'

For more than 50 days, we fought the outposts,

We captured one after another,

The enemy resisted fiercely,

But our troops fought valiantly like no others.

Nava and Cô Nhi were left stunned,

The enemy’s forces were shattered as we encircled them tightly.

The enemy began to surrender in waves.

We joyfully sang the victory song.

Thirteen high-ranking officers surrendered,

Even the commanding general was captured.

Sixteen thousand French soldiers,

Were either prisoners or lost their lives.

And thus, our army achieved complete victory,

A victory earned through unwavering effort.

The soldiers wrote to Uncle Ho:

'Dear Uncle, please accept this gift,

A birthday gift for you,

We worked hard to make it happen.'

- Ho Chi Minh -

Is it the sound of the artillery call urging me on,

Or the white blossoms of spring still waiting for me?

The Nậm Rốm river, bathed in purple mist, awaits my arrival,

Mường Thanh hums with a warm invitation.

I don’t know who I’ll meet, but my heart belongs to the mountains,

At Pha Đin, I feel a fluttering anticipation for Dien Bien.

Beyond the towering peaks and the deep valleys,

The clouds still linger as the campaign continues to soar.

The soldier’s cloak flutters in the night, as torches burn brightly,

The rhythm of the marching songs as the artillery moves in and out.

The rain soaks through, but the blood-stained hands never falter,

The earth cradles the fallen, who gave their all yesterday!

In the season of harvest, the rice fields are lush and green,

As I hold hands with the mountains, the circle of dance sways gently,

On A1 Hill, a song is passed to me,

And I sing with the villagers, surrounded by the wildflowers.

What could compare to the bitter bamboo shoots and sticky rice?

They transform into the sweet, fragrant rivers, fields, and villages…

Dien Bien, oh, how I will miss you when I leave,

But I promise to return, to be with my comrades and you, my love!

- Nguyễn Hữu Quý -

The launch of the Nava plan

An ambition to dominate our country entirely

Proactively strategizing to expand

From Dien Bien, gradually targeting Viet Minh.

Intending to make us tremble

In the face of the cunning strength of colonialists

The French continuously mobilized troops

Building outposts, gradually extending their reach

The group was named

Dien Bien Phu, challenging our army to strike

The terrain was treacherous with towering mountains

If we attacked, we’d be digging our own graves.

Believing that such a move was wise

They were comfortably positioned in their stronghold

Our Party immediately recognized the situation

We must win this battle for the future of our country.

Only then could history turn its page

Ending the colonial rule, vanquishing the enemy.

The President called on all military regions

To prepare the forces, even if we were outnumbered

Determined to fight for our land

Fueled by the long-held hatred and resolve.

General Giap was appointed to lead

Personally steering the ship of the Viet Minh

Engaging in battle, mobilizing our forces and people.

Every household, far and near

Everyone contributed rice to nourish the army of President Ho

Transported by carts

Heading to the front lines, full of dried provisions

Weapons and ammunition were also moved

While the militia constructed roads for transport.

With one heart, we advanced to the battlefield

Pulling artillery despite the high mountain roads

The chant echoed: "Ho dzô ta! Let’s go!"

With unwavering determination blazing in our hearts.

Even if the task was as tough as finding a needle in a haystack

That determination would find a way to succeed

In response to the call of the homeland

Living up to the legacy of our ancestors, the sons and daughters of Lac Hong.

Though the mountains were steep, the ravines deep

Even through rain and scorching sun, covered in mist

Our resolute will was unshakable

Ready to fight without fear of death

For our people, for our country, selfless and true

Determined to reclaim peace for our nation.

On March 13th

General Giap ordered our troops to fire

Shells rained down furiously

As the battle for Him Lam began.

The Independence Division struck to the southeast

Heavy fighting in the midst of flying shells

The Bản Kéo Division also joined the fray

Five days of fierce combat, vanquishing the enemy

Amid the thick smoke, news of victory poured in

The enemy’s defeat was undeniable

Our forces surrounded them from all sides

Causing their leaders to surrender.

We continued our assault on the enemy stronghold

In March and April, advancing relentlessly

Fighting escalated, the battle at its peak

For every inch of land in the trenches of the West

Both sides fought tirelessly day by day

Our forces and the enemy’s spilled blood and sacrificed lives.

In these intense days of combat

Our forces emerged victorious, forging ahead

Artillery and anti-aircraft positions held strong

As trenches were dug and resistance intensified, we never faltered.

Dien Bien would bury

The colonial regime, driving them out

From Hong Cúm to the airport

Through Mường Thanh, we captured major victories

Breaking through the enemy’s defenses

We surged into A1, a triumphant roar.

From all corners of the mountains and forests

The Viet Minh charged, capturing every section

The rapid offensive was unstoppable

Ensuring that the enemy could not fight back.

On May 7th

Commander De-Cat raised his hand in surrender

Dien Bien’s victory was glorious

And the pages of history were rewritten.

The French forces were swept away

A small nation now stood tall

Negotiations began immediately

The flag of victory flew over the trenches

Now, they could only remain silent

Ending centuries of colonial oppression.

This was the sacrifice of countless people

Blood and bones, young lives lost

Their immense contributions are unforgettable

Vietnam’s victory echoed across the world

Shocking all nations

Colonial powers were shown the way forward

To fight for independence and freedom.

The significance cannot be measured

We, their descendants, take pride in their legacy

Our ancestors were truly remarkable

President Ho and General Giap are immortalized as great figures

Geniuses, heroes in their own right

Grateful beyond words... forever, to them!

Today, the world has changed

Their names remain eternal in history

People honor their heroic legacy

Their achievements will forever shine in the annals of time…!!!

- Giang Chí Hiếu -

We journey from Chương Dương, Hàm Tử, Chi Lăng, Bạch Đằng, Đống Đa…

To Dien Bien, connecting the earth and the skies, defeating two colonial empires

Oh! Dien Bien, a millennia-old victory, elevating our nation

Across the vastness of time

And space itself

A majestic anthem of the nation’s Spring…

The cost of freedom

The price of independence

Blood stains the earth

Mother, oh mother, tears shed

White and red hoa ban flowers, the land of Mường's colors!

Our fallen heroes did not return

Forever resting in the spring green of Mường Thanh, Hồng Cúm

Their flesh and bones transformed into the soil

From which the city of Hoà Bình arose!

Now, their descendants take up the mantle

Guarding the islands, the borders, facing storms and hardships

Withstood the harsh winds to stand tall, proudly facing forward!

To the schemers and mad dreamers

To those with deluded ambitions…

We carry within us the spirit of Dien Bien

Mother, oh mother, do not worry

The Lạc birds fly upon the surface of the bronze drum

The Drum of Dien Bien stirs the waves of the East Sea!

- Quang Hoài -

We arrived here when we were twenty

When the sound of guns had faded after twenty years

The flowers of Ban blossomed in April, at twenty years old

The town was as lean as a child craving food.

In April, Điện Biên still carries the eternal white clouds

The clouds cling, asking the way to the village

I endure the scorching sun, while you, my friend, endure the rains of the mountains

During the day, we climb the hills; at night, we cross the mountains together under the moonlight.

We open the road to visit Mường Phăng again

We pave the way to Mường Then, Mường Nhé

The road, rising through the clouds, feels like flying with the strength of youth

Every meter of the road marks the lives of men.

The town of the past, now a city in the morning of youth

The birds still sing on the roof of Đờ-Cát bunker

The Ban flowers color the greying heads

That May, and now, I am Điện Biên.

- Nguyễn Hòa Bình -

I grew up from the heart of the tunnels

Where my mother sang the heroic folk songs

Where love and life stood proud

Nourishing roots and growing the tree of wisdom

The echoes of Điện Biên shining for fifty years

Keeping the enemies at bay, my mother marched forward with courage

So that our generation may forever shine...

Mother’s love embraces the whole world

Even those who once pointed their guns at her

Deep down, they regret and feel remorse...

Mother’s warmth is in every grain of rice, every bowl of rice

Sharing a piece of bread with the unfortunate

Raising the children who will one day grow up

To forever etch her image in our hearts...

On a cold Trường Sơn night, with the chill biting the ground

Despite the cold, my heart is warmed by mother’s love

Even though our homeland remains poor and struggling

There are still hearts full of pure and steadfast courage...

- Phan Thanh Minh -

The history of the Điện Biên victory

Sixty years ago, the righteous triumphed over the French

Leaders spoke with mastery

Strategy and tactics at all fronts, surrounding them from every direction.

The army and the people united in love

Protecting and sheltering each other, fighting together as one

Among them, there were many heroic sacrifices

Risking their lives, standing proudly without fear.

The battle lines stretched to the last trench

The army advanced in an unrelenting, fierce assault

Day and night, with determination to succeed

Through sweat, blood, and loss, they smiled in the face of death.

Trust in the bright future of victory

Freed from colonial rule, a hopeful future awaits

Now, in the current age

Disputes over islands are revealed.

All kinds of tactics are being used

Following the path to seize control and claim power

Just as a person seeks peace

Respectful, obedient, walking their own way.

Determined to follow the principle of justice

With a heart and will that never falters, even at the cost of one's life

The Paracels stand as a testament

Any weakness exposed, the enemy seizes upon it.

And the Spratlys, too, have had their clashes

Who will bear the consequences of this contest for territory?

Humans who sow the seeds

Must rely on their own strength to build a peaceful fortress.

- Nguyễn Thanh Thanh -

I have not yet gazed upon the face of Lake Switzerland

Is the water crystal clear, or is it the tears of a fairy?

I have not yet visited the majestic Sofia

Seen the gaze of people or the wings of stars at night.

The roses in Bulgaria owe their love to me, far and wide

I have not yet seen the shimmering lights reflected in the water

I have not kissed those brown eyes

The mysterious beauty of an Egyptian maiden.

I have not yet spent summer on the Ap Lục River

Or explored the stalactite caves of Argentina

I dream of riding horses across the prairie

Galloping swiftly through herds of Mongolian sheep.

I have not yet set foot in Thailand to touch wooden sculptures

Or tasted sweet Burmese rice

I have not yet kissed the cherry blossoms in Japan

Nor revisited the Kiều Bridge in China.

I do not yet know the towering buildings of New York

Nor have I entered the famous Lomonosov University

I have not seen the modern dikes of the Netherlands

Nor visited the temples in India.

But my homeland has already touched many lands

With its affection, the drop of water, the piece of cassava

From the desert sands and storms

To the heights of Nhị Lang.

From London's bell tower

To the waves of Mạc Xây

From the rooftops of alleys

To the Ubon Palace

All recognize my homeland, Điện Biên.

When mentioned, it brings a proud smile

Pausing for a moment, letting the bell's sound ring

Caressing the owl and looking at the vase of flowers

We mention it with a sigh of nostalgia.

Or in the cold night deep in the forest, wishing

For tomorrow to bring more resilient steps forward

Or blinking back tears when recalling

The grim images of the battlefield and the struggles.

For time to turn yellow on the paper

Or to shout with red steel mountains and iron rivers

Steady hands on the helm of the ship

My homeland has passed through imaginations

A movie of life with countless different scenes.

Yes! There are high mountains

But they are as beautiful as a flowerpot

Gray skies with the blood and fire of past days

The rocky roads that have worn down weary feet

The mountains bow their heads, welcoming generations of youth

Yet burying countless bodies of invaders.

The forest is stripped bare, yet the entire nation rises

The river winds, carrying the debris of thousands of years

My homeland – Điện Biên Phủ

Has become a symbol of our heroic nation

But my homeland, after the flames of war

Is not as terrifying as some might imagine.

Indeed, there are barbed wires and ruins on the edges of fields

Trenches cross and mines are scattered everywhere

Time has tried to hold on, to rise above

Now it softly mends the wounds of pain.

Silence fills the trenches

Rice grows over the broken steel

Watchtowers become the edges of fields

Tank wrecks turn into sturdy dams

The bomb craters now hold garbage and compost

Uncovering mines, planting rice in the dust

Three spring seasons, the yellow apricot blossoms shed their fading petals

Blossoms bloom across the hills, like a new village under thatched roofs.

This year, the rice fields are lush

The new bridges bear traces of trade vehicles

The sun shines down on the cemetery – the school is full of chatter

My homeland welcomes the peaceful winds once more.

I – a child of the Điện Biên mountains and forests

The patch of vegetables buried in the A1 hill

Have not stepped beyond the first step

But my homeland has traveled the entire world

Carrying with it the hearts of people filled with longing and dreams!

- Cầm Giang -

To live forever is like a flame

Twenty years

I return here to meet the Xòe dance again

The stilt houses hum as the chest breathes

The face of a hero lost in the mountain walls

The cannon roars fiercely

The explosion flashes in the torrential rain

Soldiers in conical hats

With thin frames and cloth tunics

Barefoot, they trample through barbed wire and bleed

Bayonets fly through the air.

Today

The fragrant smoke curls over A1 hill

Flowers are offered to Phan Đình Giót

Bees hover around Bế Văn Đàn

Horses neigh at the Him Lam gates

Butterflies flaunt their colors under the Hong Cúm sky

The children sing about Tô Vĩnh Diện

Stars fall as the night dreams

The morning light is red over Mường Thanh

The market bustles

Shops and green umbrellas

White hats flutter

The Xòe dance calls to mind each battle fought

Fifty-six days and nights

Fire in the sky.

The blood-red land of Điện Biên.

The moment of great victory, soldiers cheer as if their hearts will burst

Here, rest the beloved children of

Countless villages and lands

To form a trio standing, raising the flag

On the roof of the Đờ Cát bunker.

You dance the Xòe next to the guns, smoke still lingering

Your eyes misty with emotion

Twenty years feel like only twenty days

We raise the wine, savoring its strong sweetness

The aroma of sticky rice fills the valleys

Oh! The warriors of Điện Biên

Now still carry their rifles

Twenty years

The Xòe dance follows you

Your hands move like the first time we saw them

The rhythmic beat of the wooden clappers

Your feet sway and dance

The golden flowers of the season, like butterfly wings basking in the sun

I follow you in the Xòe, everywhere.

Each inch of land holds a chapter of glorious history

From deep within our memories

The roar of the artillery answers back

Amidst the present, on the farm fields, the season of ripened fruit

I recognize the trenches, marking the passing years

I see the smiles of comrades

And the eyes of the commander, silently watching

The sun rises through the smoke of the bombs.

I embrace the artillery heroes who fought for ten days with empty stomachs

Carrying the guns over the rugged mountaintops

Thank you! Twenty years

I return here to meet the Xòe dance once again

I leave, but I remember

To live forever is like a flame

The land will become another Điện Biên

Oh, my dear!

Time!

- Văn Thảo Nguyên -

The river flows, waves laughing joyously

The high green mountains echo with laughter

The flock of birds spreads its wings and soars

This is my land, this is my country.

The corn fields and rice terraces blanket the hillsides

The winding roads climb higher and higher

The bridge stretches gracefully over the stream

Whoever travels to the Northwest will find the warmth of the people.

The stilt houses share a roof, with wine flowing in abundance

The roosters crow in the morning in the village

Together we walk along the main road

Our lives sing with joy.

- Minh Xuân -

The day you return to Điện Biên

Your feet, dreaming on the high mountain slopes

For so long, we dreamed of meeting

The promise of the rocky hill that once lingered in our hearts

In Mường Thanh, the clouds blanket the road

The fields shine brightly, reflecting the morning sun

The fences, barbed wire, and steel spikes...

Điện Biên, a time when bullets flew and flames of rage blazed

Now, hills, lakes, and streams thrive

Like your hair cascading down when you loved me

Look! Mường Nhé, so fresh and pure!

The beauty of nature whispers softly, as if in a delicate evening gown

Mường Phăng, where love blooms in gardens

Cherry blossoms proudly showing off their beauty, who guides whom?

Điện Biên, a land etched with memories

Nothing beats the taste of dried buffalo meat by the fire

Sticky rice cakes, glutinous rice... perfect squares and circles

Ban flowers, sweet vegetables... their fragrance fills the heart

Điện Biên, bathed in warm sunlight, and clear drops

Missing you, waiting silently with hope, day after day.

- Thiên Ân -

The story of the old soldier

It's been more than six decades, yet it feels like just yesterday

Memories flood back from the most glorious days

The battlefield roads burning with the march of soldiers

Alongside him, the mountain winds and the thousand rains

Each ray of sunlight, the villages, carefully preserved for the soldiers

Like the smoke-free kitchen of Hoàng Cầm

The old soldier’s tales, filled with emotion.

Our villages remain steadfast in their faith

With the Party, President Hồ Chí Minh, and the freedom of independence

The white Ban flower signals the arrival of vibrant spring

Like rubber sandals that conquer even the mountains and hills!

We dragged the cannons up, hearts filled with emotion

Then brought them down. The high passes and deep ravines

When patriotism becomes a force of strength

Four thousand years transform into the sun of the flag...

- Đỗ Ca Sơn -

Sixty-five springs have passed

The victory of Điện Biên still echoes through the ages

The nation is whole, blossoming and bearing fruit

But looking back, the years seem so moving

How proud we are of the land of our ancestors

When we achieved a glorious victory

A victory that many have spoken of

Like the Red Army that shattered the fascist pincers

Bravely advancing to liberate both Asia and Europe...

A poor country daring to confront a powerful military

And achieving a resounding victory

Defeating a mighty army

For it was not just the talents of the generals. It was the will of the people

The spirit of a nation with four thousand years of history

"We would rather sacrifice everything..."

When President Hồ Chí Minh's words were the flag before the wind

When the whole nation yearned for life and ignited a fire of hope

When the motherland rose up, with mothers carrying rifles

So that future generations could enjoy the peace and happiness!

- Nguyễn Trọng Đồng -

Since our forces launched the attack

Điện Biên has continuously lost two outposts;

The enemy, both Vietnamese and European, hid underground

Day and night, not a single one dared to emerge.

Area D feared exposure, so they lowered the flag

And abandoned their strategy, leaving only a lone post in the outpost;

Even the enemy pilots were terrified

Dropping parachutes in haste to flee as quickly as possible;

One parachute, made of white silk, floated down

It caught on the top of the pole there.

The wind carried the white parachute, fluttering

As if it were a flag of defeat, a banner of surrender;

The enemy soldiers looked at the flag, bewildered

But none of them had the courage to step outside;

The white parachute continued to tease

As the wind made it flutter sadly in the air.

Our forces surrounded them from all sides

Looking at the white flag in Area D with a smile;

We smiled and said: "The West, oh West!"

Whether it flies or not, it is doomed to the grave!.

- Tạ Hữu Thiên -

Since our troops surrounded them

The enemy in Điện Biên was starving each day.

So hungry that the soldiers began to catch mice

Roasting them quickly to eat;

Yesterday morning, in the midst of confusion,

Even the mice were nowhere to be found.

Suddenly, a loud noise echoed

As from the mist, an enemy plane appeared;

The yellow dogs and the foreign ones

Waved their tails, jumping and clapping in joy.

The officer crawled out the door

Looking anxiously at the parachutes falling randomly;

Each of them was overjoyed

Little did they know, we fired a cannon "boom!" next to them.

The one with a missing hand groaned in pain

The one without a head lay still, completely lifeless;

Those who were not hit ran frantically

Into the shelter, their hearts pounding like drums.

Up in the sky, anti-aircraft fire rang out

The pilot, more terrified, trembled in fear;

In a hurry, he threw down parachutes in a frenzy

White, red, yellow, and green parachutes.

Hoping to drop them quickly before getting hit

Before they were destroyed here;

The parachutes opened, caught the wind, and flew

Drifting down into our hands.

From that day on, they were too afraid

To leave the shelters, lest they meet their end;

They dug a ventilation tube

To breathe and peer out to check the parachutes.

- Phác Vân -

For the enemies, life was bleak in Điện Biên

Where day and night blended together.

Our forces surrounded them tightly

Picking off their "sparrow" soldiers one by one.

Any movement near the trench, and they'd fall

Our rifles taking them down instantly!

There was a funny and yet heartbreaking story

About a foreign soldier one day

Who seemed desperate and confused

Looking left and right, he climbed into the trench.

Just when he thought: "Ah, this feels good,

He sat, shaking, thinking he was safe.

Little did he know, our troops nearby

Pulled the trigger and "bang!"—his head exploded!

He had no time to scream or react

Falling dead before he could even take a breath;

Our soldier, full of pride:

"Cheers to our sharpshooter—what a skilled marksman!"

Meanwhile, the enemies were in a panic, pale-faced,

The officers scolding their men, shouting angrily:

"You fools! You pigs! What are you doing?

If you go out there, you'll die, so what are you still trying for?"

Then the officer cried, sobbing bitterly:

"Oh no, another soldier's gone, another soul lost!"

"Oh, the French! Oh, the French! Oh, you poor French!

We're still here sniping, and you're still running away..."

- Phác Văn -

News arrived in the dead of night

Urgent, urgent

The horses galloped up the hills

The torches lit up the forest

The bells rang with good news

Loudspeakers echoed through every house

Villages and towns lit up with bright lights and fire...

Cheers to the heroes of Điện Biên!

Cheers to comrade Võ Nguyên Giáp!

The thunder struck day and night

On the heads of the French invaders!

Glory to our nation

The Democratic Republic of Vietnam

Glory to Hồ Chí Minh, our Father

Who will live on for a thousand years

We will fight, we will win, with the red flag

And the golden star shining high

The resistance lasted three thousand days

No night was more joyous than tonight

The historic night of Điện Biên shining bright

On our land, like medals on our chests

Our nation, a nation of heroes!

Điện Biên, so far yet so close

Its spirit resonates across the four seas

Tonight, friends near and far

Will surely join in the celebration with us.

II.

Cheers to the heroes of Điện Biên!

The heroic soldiers

Who bore the heat of fire and iron

Fifty-six days and nights carving through mountains,

Sleeping in trenches, under pouring rain, eating rice cakes

With blood mixing with the mud

They never wavered

And their resolve never faltered!

Some comrades were buried, their bodies serving as gun supports

Heads wrapped in armor, they crawled through barbed wire

While storms of bullets rained down

Some comrades risked their lives to protect the artillery

Crushed by the weight, but still holding on...

And others, with hands that split mountains, rolling bombs

Determined to open the path for reinforcements

And then there were those who, day and night

Made their way to the frontlines

Through thick clouds and pouring rain

On Pha Đin Pass, the sisters carried the brothers' loads

On Lũng Lô Pass, the brothers sang as the sisters hummed

Though bombs and bullets tore through their bodies

They never wavered, never regretted their youth...

O, you sisters and brothers

Who fell on the battlefield

Your blood, our blood, will not be in vain

It will nourish the fields of Vietnam

From Mường Thanh to Hồng Cúm, to Him Lam

The flowers will bloom white, and the orange orchards will shine...

III.

Our enemies must surrender, they must perish

This battle will wipe Điện Biên clean!

The enemy is insane

They crawl into the earth

They flee into the skies?

The sky is not theirs

Our bullets form a steel net!

The land is not theirs

Our steel bands tighten!

Our land is the sky and earth, day and night

The mountains, the hills, the rivers—these are ours

They have only one way out

One is death, the other is captivity

They lower their weapons in fear

As our artillery roars in triumph!

On this May seventh afternoon

We hear the sound of anger and fury

We see the walls of their bunkers crumble

We see their generals retreat, their flags falling

We see our red flag with the yellow star

Shining brightly over the victory of Điện Biên!

Cheers to the heroes of Điện Biên!

The mountains echo, the rivers hum

Tonight, surely, the spirit of Hồ Chí Minh is rejoicing

He is bent over the map, listening to the soldiers' cheers...

Since crossing the mountains and passes

We marched, with Hồ watching over us every day

Now the news arrives, bringing joy tonight

He must be pleased, waiting with pride!

IV.

Comrade Phạm Văn Đồng

Is surely awake tonight

He has heard the news—Điện Biên Phủ has been secured

Tomorrow, the struggle continues

As he looks down at the Bi-don and Smít forces

He will say: "Colonialism and fascism

Are finished!

Our homeland

Wants peace and independence to return

We do not want bombs raining down

On the heads of our children

If you still crave war

In Vietnam, remember

The bamboo has become a spear, the rivers are fire

And the victory of Điện Biên

Is only the first lesson!"

- Tố Hữu -

Time pauses, falling silent

By the grave of a martyr; our hearts come to a halt.

Our hearts - they hesitate,

A half-drop of tears, half-sung melody;

The light of day tilts down with us

As we place a symbolic wreath with heavy hearts.

Here lies the tomb of Bế Văn Đàn

His body served as a gun rest, his frame as the spring branch;

In the midst of grueling battles,

His shoulders carried the weight of fiery mountains to crush the savage enemy.

Our troops returned victorious with flags waving

But the soldier's body had become dust and bones.

The tomb of Bế Văn Đàn, clear as a mirror:

Two worn-out rubber boots.

A simple fountain pen.

A plastic bag.

Eight buttons from his coat.

A piece of artillery shell still lodged inside.

Everything of his was given to the world.

He kept nothing, not even his remains.

The tomb of Bế Văn Đàn, clear as a mirror.

The tomb of Bế Văn Đàn, in the Military History Museum.

Visitors passing by

Stop and stand still:

- Here lies the tomb of Bế Văn Đàn,

Here the wind blows, the moon is eternal,

Here birds sing, flowers bloom,

The land of the homeland is a sea of crimson velvet,

Here, through all four seasons, the spirits pass...
All of his brilliance was offered to the world...

- Xuân Diệu -

The cemetery

Brightly shining

A golden hue

A fragrance soaring high

Filling the cemetery

People’s homes are cramped

The locals bring rice to dry here

The rice of the people

Covering the tombs of the heroes

We remember the day

When the heroes marched to fight the enemy

To protect the harvest

And return to live among the people

Tô Vĩnh Diện, Trần Can

The tombs of Giót and Đàn

Five hundred heroes’ graves shining brightly with rice

In the distance, on the hill

Enemy artillery falls silent

The rice has ripened

Where the shells once landed

The rice now smells sweet

Filling the golden midday air.

The cemetery...

... Time...

The grain of rice

Has turned golden

Just like the love the people have nurtured...

Holding a grain of rice in hand

Heavy with the blood of the fallen

... And thinking of the South.

- Chế Lan Viên -