The strategic Winter-Spring offensive of 1953 – 1954, culminating in the Dien Bien Phu campaign, created favorable conditions for the diplomatic struggle of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam at the Geneva Conference.
The Geneva Agreement contributed to ending the war of invasion by the French colonialists and American intervention in Indochina.
Dan tri We would like to introduce to readers a series of precious documentary photos collected and archived by the National Archives Center 3 about the 1954 Geneva Conference.
In the fall and winter of 1953, the French colonialists and American intervention launched the Nava Plan. The focus of this plan is to build Dien Bien Phu into the strongest stronghold in Indochina, controlling a large area of Northwest and Upper Laos, with the intention to destroy most of the Laos army within 18 months. Vietnam’s main force, moving to control Vietnamese territory and pacify Southern Indochina.
Photo: General Na-va, General Con-hi, General De-Cast-ri met to discuss a plan to build a defensive battlefield for the Dien Bien Phu base group, in 1953 (Original photo archived at the French Ministry of Defense ).
Fully aware of the plots and tricks of the French colonialists, in early December 1953, the Politburo decided to open the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.
Photo: President Ho Chi Minh and Mr. Truong Chinh, Pham Van Dong, and Vo Nguyen Giap held a meeting to discuss the decision to open the Dien Bien Phu Campaign in December 1953 (Source: National Archives Center 3).
French troops parachuted into the Dien Bien basin, where the Dien Bien Phu stronghold group was located, considered a “trap to crush the Viet Minh main force” (Source: National Archives Center 3).
With the Soviet Union’s efforts to proactively mobilize the US, UK, and France to hold a conference of 5 countries with China participating to discuss ways to reduce tension in Indochina, on February 18, 1954, 4 Soviet countries , the US, UK, and France meeting in Berlin announced that they would convene the Geneva Conference (Genève, Switzerland).
Photo: View overlooking the State Palace in Geneva where the opening ceremony of the Conference of Foreign Ministers took place from April 24 to 27, 1954 (Source: Russian State Film Archive).
On April 26, 1954, when the Vietnam People’s Army finished the second offensive campaign at Dien Bien Phu, the Geneva Conference began to open. Attending the conference were representatives of: Vietnam, Soviet Union, China, England, France, America, Bao Dai government, Cambodia and Laos.
Photo: Members of the Soviet delegation at Geneva airport on April 26, 1954 (Source: Russian State Film Archive).
French Foreign Minister GL. Bi-do entered the meeting room at the Geneva State Palace on April 2, 1954 (Source: Russian State Film Archive).
US Secretary of State D.PH. Dalet – head of the American delegation – entered the State Palace on April 26, 1954 (Source: Russian State Film Archive).
International journalists at Geneva airport, waiting to film delegations attending the Conference of Foreign Ministers on April 26, 1954 (Source: Russian State Film Archive).
