Dien Bien Phu Victory Day in Vietnam Date in the current year: May 7, 2024

In 1945, Vietnam declared independence from France, which led to the First Indochina War. The war officially started on December 19, 1946, although fighting between Viet Minh forces and their French opponents began in September 1945.

By 1953, the war was not going well for France. As a result of grave mistakes, the French began to strengthen their garrison near Dien Bien Phu. Eventually, they were unexpectedly surrounded and besieged by the Viet Minh in March 1954. The Viet Minh bombarded the French positions is a series of assaults.

The final massed assault against the remaining French units took place on May 7, 1954. The garrison fell, and the Dien Bien Phu Battle culminated in a comprehensive French defeat. Shortly after, the new French government supported the withdrawal from Indochina.

Viet Minh victory in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu influenced on the signing of the Geneva Accords. The accords officially ended the war and temporarily divided Vietnam at the 17th Parallel.