A wide range of activities have been held across the country to mark the 60th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory (May 7, 1954) which helped end the French colonial rule in Vietnam.

Twenty-two teams from both home and abroad are expected to take part in a national cycling competition on May 1-6, riding from Hanoi to the northwestern cities of Hoa Binh and Son La before arriving in Dien Bien, a press conference in Hanoi on April 24 heard.

The People’s Army newspaper, the organiser, will grant nearly 800 gifts for war veterans and soldiers who fought on the Dien Bien Phu battlefield and 120 scholarships for children of Dien Bien armed forces.

A special art programme will be held in Hanoi on May 1with songs praising the Party and late President Ho Chi Minh who made great contributions to the victory.

An exhibition was held on April 24 in the northern province of Ha Nam to mark the victory, the 39 th anniversary of National Liberation Day (April 30, 1975) and the 124 th birthday of the late President (May 19, 1890).

The month-long event showcases hundreds of pictures and archives featuring the nation’s resistance war against France, with the Dien Bien Phu victory as t he peak of the triumph.

It also depicts the life and career of General Vo Nguyen Giap, whose name will forever be associated with the historic victory.

A ceremony was held in Hanoi on the same day to honour the outstanding artists who took part in the painting contest to create works celebrating 60 years since the Dien Bien Phu victory and 55 years since the opening of the Truong Son-Ho Chi Minh Trail.

Artists Dinh Thi Thu Huong from the capital and Pham Anh Dung from the northern province of Hung Yen won the first prizes, each worth 10 million VND (470 USD).

The contest was launched from April 16 to July 21 last year, and received a warm response from painters nationwide with 886 entries.-VNA