Where France was humbled - Dien Bien Phu battleground, Vietnam

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Viet Minh victory over French colonial forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1954. The battle brought an end to French colonial rule in Indochina. It was one of the most important events in anti-colonial twentieth century history - and its strategic lessons continue to be taught in military colleges.
I shot this video 10 years ago. It gives an idea of the spectacular setting that was destined to become known for a battle. By 1954, with Cold War tensions rising, the United States was largely funding France's doomed campaign to hold on to its imperial possessions. The Chinese were increasingly invested in Ho Chi Minh's campaign. The "domino theory" began to define US policy. Dien Bien Phu was a terrible foretaste of the catastrophe that rolled on till 1975.
I shot this Dien Bien Phu guide a decade ago and have continued to visit often - most recently on our Vietnam by the Book tour a few weeks ago. Vietnam by the Book is a 16 day tour of Vietnam focused around 3 books. For more, head over to lnkd.in/dzYEYhHz
For our independent travel guide to Dien Bien Phu, head over to Rusty Compass
www.rustycompass.com/vietnam-...
#history #travel #books #Vietnam #dienbienphu #oldcompasstravel

[@ianjames3078]

Enjoyed visiting DBP and listening to the elder local people. Highly recommended in getting off the usual routes and heading to the north west areas. I took a three days riding there from Hanoi.

[@maloz63]

Highly recommend watching the 1991 French movie of the same name

[@lisaschreiber2893]

is that when the russian government moved into the area or was that later? these poor people have been through alot