May is also the time when the A1 Hill Historical Site at Dien Bien Phu battlefield puts on a burning coat. The two royal poinciana trees with bright red flowers resemble two giant candles, making a strong impression on visitors.
The bright red color of royal poinciana flowers, in contrast to the green of grass and trees and the remaining traces of war, creates a painting that is both emotional and meaningful. A1 Hill is also the site of the fiercest battle of our army before the liberation of Dien Bien.
During the French colonial period, this hill was known by names such as "Don Tay Hill" or "Elyan (Eliane) 2". However, for the Vietnamese army and people, A1 is a military symbol, marking one of the most important high points in the defense system of Dien Bien Phu base group.
mastering A1 means opening the door to enter the enemy's command center. For that reason, the battles here took place in an extremely fierce and fierce manner, dying each drop of land red with blood and fire.
Today, on the top of A1 Hill, traces of an era of bombs such as tunnel systems, checkpoints, tanks... are still there, as witnesses to the fierceness of war.
That is the proof of the saying "Blood mud and flowers", where painful losses have given way to a beautiful revival.
Present on A1 Hill on a late afternoon in the historic May, Mr. Le Bac - a tourist from Hanoi, could not hide his emotions.
For Mr. Bac, A1 Hill is not only a place, but also a sacred place, where every tree tree, the top of the grass, especially the royal poinciana trees, silently tell a historical story.
I cried. Unable to hold back my tears, when I was present on A1 Hill today, I was very touched, because of the sacrifice of the Vietnam People's Army, to give us peace today" - Mr. Bac said.
With the beauty of blending the tragic past and the present with brilliant flowers, the appeal of Hill A1 also impresses international visitors.
During their first visit to Dien Bien Phu, Mr. Ivo Mattle (63 years old) and Ms. Isabel Mattle (55 years old) from Switzerland were surprised when the image of Hill A1 appeared before their eyes. Before that, the two tourists learned about history through Son La Prison and Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum.
Ms. Isabel Mattle said that Vietnam is a country that has gone through many wars, many people have fallen but always stand up and move forward.
Although the Vietnamese people are small, their spirit is very strong, and they are always determined to win and protect the country to the end - Ms. Isabel Mattle expressed her admiration.
Standing in the middle of the scene of A1 hill, where the phoenix trees bloomed red flowers on the ground used to be the battlefield, Mrs. Isabel was moved: "I think the scene is very deserted but when I come here to see flowers blooming, the beautiful girls come here to take photos, just like the meaning of the sentence 'mud and flowers'. I see that Vietnamese people are very positive always towards the future."
From a historic "fire pan", Hill A1 is appearing in the bright red phoenix color. That color of flower not only beautifies the landscape but is also a vivid symbol of the sacrifice, bravery and eternal aspiration for peace of the Vietnamese people.
The two royal poinciana trees on A1 Hill seem to be burning the fire of gratitude, warming each person's heart when setting foot in the historic land of Dien Bien.
