(VOV) – The “ Dien Bien Phu in the air” victory was not only a glorious victory for Vietnamese people but also a symbol of friendship and unity in the spirit of international solidarity.

Great support from overseas friends, especially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or present day Russia, to Vietnam also made a great contribution to the victory.

Former Russian military specialist Lieutenant General Victor Ivanovich Filippov, who was with 263 regiment on the outskirts of Hanoi in 1972, still remembers the first days he was in Vietnam. For Ivanovich, the Vietnamese people were always friendly and hospitable and the Vietnamese soldiers were always ready to fight and sacrifice themselves to protect thier country. During this time, the Russian government provided Vietnam with preferential trade and weapons. Victor Ivanovich said that the external support was not the decisive factor as the Vietnamese people’s bravery won the victory: "Vietnam is a heroic nation. Moreover, Vietnam’s struggle for their freedom and independence from US imperialism was just and received a lot of support from around the world, even many people in the US. Peace lovers around the world showed their support for the liberation soldiers fighting the US and held demonstrations to protest against the US’s intervention and bombing campaign in the north of the country. Economic support from Russia, China as well as others also contributed to the victory. Vietnam becomes a symbol for other countries struggling for independence and good example for other countries to follow in wars of national unity".

The “Dien Bien Phu in the air” victory defeated the US B52 bombers and all the other advanced weapons used by the American air force.


Doan Hai-VOV correspondent in Russia