In the early hours, the Viet Minh launched an artillery barrage against the French garrison at Điện Biên Phủ, signaling a critical escalation in the First Indochina War. Commanded by General Võ Nguyên Giáp, approximately 50,000 Viet Minh troops surrounded the French position, utilizing heavy artillery that had been painstakingly transported from various locations. This meticulous planning was a result of a strategic decision to draw the French into a massive confrontation, thus taking control of the high ground surrounding the valley. The Vietnamese forces aimed to counteract French ambitions in Southeast Asia, a region grappling with the effects of colonialism and seeking independence.

The ongoing battle would last several weeks, seeing brutal hand-to-hand combat and strategic maneuvers from both sides. The Viet Minh forces successfully cut off supply lines and morale began to dampen within the French ranks as casualties mounted. The outcome became increasingly apparent when they besieged and captured the French base, leading to the surrender of French General Henri Navarre and his troops. This confrontation not only demonstrated the tactical expertise of the Viet Minh but also marked a dramatic shift in power dynamics in the region, as it gained global attention.