"Commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu campaign: Local and international perspectives"

65 years have passed, but the impressions and marks of the Dien Bien Phu victory still resound in many places around the world and through political, military, diplomatic and cultural aspects. It is one of the rare victories in the Indochina War that has received widespread attention from the media and research institutions worldwide and been recalled as an international event whenever celebrated. In Vietnam, Dien Bien Phu can be considered a symbol of resilience, self-determination, and the spirit of fighting and emerging victorious of the people of Vietnam. Internationally, Dien Bien Phu is a symbol of courage and the endless inspiration for independence, freedom and justice of the oppressed and exploited peoples. After 65 years, Dien Bien Phu has transformed from a bloody battlefield into a destination of peace, friendship and cooperation among nations.

Continuing the successes of previous years the most recently of which was the conference held in May 2014 titled "From Dien Bien Phu to Geneva Accords - an international perspective", this year's international Conference on Dien Bien Phu was held to clarify the military developments and the relations between political power and military might during and after the campaign that have been previously studied. The Conference would study and analyze this event at the local, international and trans-national levels; and propose the prospects for promoting friendly and cooperative relations and sustainable development at local areas.

Prof.Dr Pham Quang Minh (USSH's Rector) reiterates the disposition of closing the past and opening the future of the peoples of Vietnamese and French by retelling the story of the 1993 visit to Vietnam by French President Francois Mitterrand - an event that helped open a new page for the bilateral relationship

Mr. Mohamed Berrah (Ambassador of Algérie to Vietnam) expresses his sympathy and admiration of the people of Algérie for the Vietnamese people's fight for independence, and conveyed his wish to promote cooperation with Vietnam and other countries within the Francophonie in the current era of peace

At the opening session, representatives of the units within the organizing committee expressed their honor for being parts of an event of such significance. Each unit with its scholars and researchers may contribute his/her own opinions. But all agreed that the conference not only is an occasion to recall an event of global influence such as the Dien Bien Phu victory, but also opens up new opportunities for cooperation between Vietnam-France in general and among Vietnamese and French educational institutions in particular. Especially, as the host, through this conference, USSH continued to validate itself as a forum for international academic exchange. And by rethinking a historical period so as to foster cooperation and ensure the sustainable development of Vietnam-France relations in the future, the University once again reaffirmed its continuously pursued slogan "Honoring the past, embracing the future".

The delegates take a ceremonial picture

After the opening session, the Conference would continue for two days (May 2-3) with 5 specific sessions: Dien Bien Phu and its regional and international role, The memories of Dien Bien Phu, The French alliance and countries, Dien Bien Phu - the local perspective and sustainable development, and Dien Bien Phu - cultural and educational issues.