General Vo Nguyen Giap in int'l friends’ heart

Today marks the 11th anniversary of the passing of General Vo Nguyen Giap, a prominent military strategist in Vietnam’s history renowned for his leadership in the victorious Dien Bien Phu campaign in 1954, a crucial event that marks the end of the French colonial rule in Vietnam.

General Giap’s legacy transcends borders, not only holding a deep place in the hearts of the Vietnamese people but also resonating globally.

For Djoudi Noureddine, Chairman of the International Association of Algerian Revolution Friends, the memories of the legendary General remain fresh in his mind despite his old age.

The 90-year-old Chairman shared that he had the privilige to meet Giap once in Algiers and once in Hanoi, saying the General left a very strong impression on the Algerian people.

General Giap is an outstanding historical figure and a reference for the liberation movements, not only a military man who organised the Vietnamese liberation army and succeeded in defeating the army of colonisers, Noureddine said.

“So, for us, obviously, the name of General Giap and Dien Bien Phu are closely linked. We had the opportunity to see him when he came to Algeria several times and we always had a lot of respect for him because he is truly an icon on the international level.”

Noureddine quoted General Giap’s speech in Algeria during his historic tour to 12 African countries in October 1980: “The imperialists are bad students. We have given them lessons properly ... But they learn the lessons poorly, although they are lessons of historical significance." Giap’s words served as a source of inspiration for numerous Africans who strived to rise and struggle for their independence.

“For example, the Mozambicans, the Angolans, and the Guinea-Bissaus, they were inspired by both the action of General Giap in Vietnam and the liberation war in Algeria. He was a man who went beyond the borders of Vietnam and a man of the international community.

“Along with President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap remains forever in the memory of the African peoples and especially those who fought for their independence,” Noureddine said.

Carl Thayer, Emeritus Professor at the University of New South Wales, described General Giap as a self-taught military strategist who combined elements of Vietnamese military tradition and the theory of the people’s war, adding Giap learned through battlefield experience how to conduct people’s war.

It was General Vo Nguyen Giap who defeated the French, one of the most modern military forces in the world at his time, Thayer said.

The Dien Bien Phu victory under General Giap’s command brought to an end the Anti-French resistance war, and this sounded not only the death knell of the French rule in Indochina but also the beginning of the end of colonialism in Asia and Africa, Thayer said.

Pierre Asselin, Professor of History at San Diego State University said General Giap is often lauded as a brilliant military leader, particularly thanks to his role in the battle of Dien Bien Phu. His standout quality during this battle was his flexibility.

“He was very flexible,” Asselin said, elaborating that initially aiming for a quick victory, Giap adjusted his tactics multiple times in response to the evolving situation. He transitioned from a rapid, high-casualty approach to a more measured one, eventually leading to success.

“This adaptability and willingness to change plans in the face of adversity were crucial to the Vietnamese victory,” Asselin said.

He added that Giap’s ability to acknowledge and rectify mistakes sets him apart as a great leader, embodying a Vietnamese bamboo strategy characterised by adaptability and utility.

“This flexibility was instrumental in securing victory over the French forces at Dien Bien Phu,” Asselin emphasised.

Meanwhile, Thayer said because of these accomplishments, General Giap is widely respected by international leaders and friends as the military strategist who mastered the art of the people’s war by combining political struggle with military one in a protracted war that defeated both France and the US in the cause of Vietnamese independence against foreign aggression.

He is also widely viewed as a symbol of the Vietnamese nation thanks to his remarkable lifelong contributions to the cause of national building and defense, as well as the nation’s peaceful socio-economic development.

TB (according to VNA)