Peasant army of nationalists and communists defeated the French 40 years ago, ending colonial rule and setting stage for U.S. involvement in most divisive war of its history. Over the years the trenches and bomb craters have given way to the gentleness of the land, save for some battle sites with small decaying stone memorials that hint at the events that took place. New generations of farmers now roam the peaceful valley with water buffalo, tending to their crops.
Life is simple and uncomplicated.
Children play in ponds. Old men and women ride their bicycles. White clouds frame the ring of mountains from which Vietnamese troops laid siege to the French forces for 56 days. Dien Bien Phu fell on May 7, 1954. With that, France waned as a colonial power.