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Nearly 15,000 people, including military officers and various groups of workers, farmers, intellectuals and ethnic minorities, joined the march around Dien Bien Phu City Stadium and streets. At 7am the stadium was crowded with spectators and veterans who came to reminisce about the great historical event.
An art performance began at 7am with revolutionary songs about the 56-day battle at Dien Bien Phu.
Distinguished guests attending the event included Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Truong Tan Sang, senior officials and representatives from ministries, central agencies, provincial leaders and veterans of the Dien Bien Phu battle. Delegations from Laos, Cambodia and Mexico also took part in the celebration.
President Truong Tan Sang giving speech at the ceremony
The organising board received flower baskets from Former State President Le Duc Anh, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.
In his opening speech at the grand meeting, President Truong Tan Sang highlighted the great significance of the victory at Dien Bien Phu and praised the Vietnamese people and soldiers for their great contributions to the military campaign that defeated the French invaders in 1954.
The president expressed deep gratitude to the late President Ho Chi Minh, legendary General Vo Nguyen Giap, as well as the heroic military officials and soldiers who made enormous sacrifices to win Dien Bien Phu.
Some photos of the grand parade to mark the 60th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory:
Military band
Ground force
Naval force
Air force
Border officers
Communication officers
Commandos
Nearly 15,000 people joined the parade
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