In 1952, along with his division, he was sent to China for artillery training. After returning to Vietnam, he and his division marched from the town of Lào Cai on Vietnam's northern border with China to Điện Biên Phủ, a journey of over 300 kilometres on foot. He arrived on 11 March 1954, two days before the decisive Battle of Điện Biên Phủ, which he participated in as a soldier and documented as an artist and journalist.