Dien Bien Phu

Dien Bien Phu was a pivotal battle in 1954 during Vietnam's struggle for independence from French colonial rule. The Vietnamese nationalist forces, led by the Viet Minh, surrounded and besieged a French military base in the Dien Bien Phu valley. After a two-month siege, the French forces were overwhelmed and forced to surrender. This defeat marked the end of French colonial dominance in Vietnam and led to the country’s division into North and South Vietnam, shaping its future conflicts. The battle is considered a turning point in the decolonization of Southeast Asia.