A file photo of Colonel Hoang Dang Vinh
On October 21, Vinh had a stroke at home and was admitted to the hospital. However, his health worsened and died at 7.30 am on the following day. His funeral was held on October 24 at Bac Ninh City Cemetery.
Hoang Dang Vinh was born in 1935 in Hung Yen Province. He enrolled in the army when he was under 17 years old. In late 1953, he arrived in Dien Bien and in March 1954, he engaged in the first battle that was 10km away from Him Lam base.
He was given the responsibility to dig fortifications and trenches for the coming battle. On May 7, 1954, Captain Ta Quoc Luat led five soldiers, including Vinh, to advance to the centre of the battlefield where they captured French General De Castries and other top officers, ending 56 days and nights of the Dien Bien Phu campaign.
On October 15, 2015, he was given the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces during the French Resistance Period.
