The legendary cargo bike in the Dien Bien Phu campaign 70 years ago

The legendary cargo bike in the Dien Bien Phu campaign 70 years ago

The victory at Dien Bien Phu is etched in the history of Vietnam’s resistance against foreign invaders. In that great triumph, one cannot overlook the significant contributions of the labor force and the silent but tireless use of cargo bikes in the campaign.

The Legendary Cargo Bike Appears in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign

At the Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum, there’s currently an exhibit featuring the legendary cargo bike of civilian soldier Ma Van Thang from Phu Tho province. He was known as the “cargo bike general” for his record of transporting over 350 kg of goods in a single trip. Thang and other civilian soldiers innovated the legendary cargo bike to handle such large loads for the campaign.

They added a small bamboo extension to the handlebars, called a “hand rest,” to steer the bike; attached a piece of bamboo to the saddle shaft, about 50 cm higher than the saddle, to hold and balance the bike; welded iron, tied wood; used fabric, old clothes, and worn-out mats to reinforce and strengthen the saddle, tires, and frame. With these creative modifications, what seemed like an ordinary bike could carry loads ranging from 200 to over 300 kg per trip, setting incredible records in cargo transportation

At the Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum, there’s currently an exhibit featuring the cargo bike of civilian soldier Ma Van Thang from Phu Tho province. He was known as the “cargo bike general” for his record of transporting over 350 kg of goods in a single trip. Thang and other civilian soldiers innovated the cargo bike to handle such large loads for the campaign.

They added a small bamboo extension to the handlebars, called a “hand rest,” to steer the bike; attached a piece of bamboo to the saddle shaft, about 50 cm higher than the saddle, to hold and balance the bike; welded iron, tied wood; used fabric, old clothes, and worn-out mats to reinforce and strengthen the saddle, tires, and frame. With these creative modifications, what seemed like an ordinary bike could carry loads ranging from 200 to over 300 kg per trip, setting incredible records in cargo transportation.

The Appearance of the Legendary Cargo Bike on the Battlefield

The legendary cargo bike in the Dien Bien Phu

In the Dien Bien Phu campaign, the legendary Peugeot cargo bikes, manufactured in France and brought to Vietnam, became a precious asset despite their rarity. At that time, even though bicycles were scarce and highly valued possessions, people from Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, the 3A Interzone, Viet Bac, and the Northwest provinces contributed 21,000 bicycles to support the campaign. This led to the establishment of the “Bicycle Corps,” tightly organized similar to a military unit.

Tens of thousands of civilian workers from each province were organized into brigades, with each brigade forming squads and platoons alongside these cargo bikes. They crossed mountain passes, streams, and forests day and night, heading towards the frontlines and advancing towards the Northwest, ultimately reaching Dien Bien.

Throughout the campaign, the bicycle corps transported thousands of tons of goods, ensuring uninterrupted logistics for essential supplies such as food, medicine, and other necessities. Tran Khac Long from Hoang Mai district, Hanoi, who participated in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, vividly recalls the image of these cargo bikes and civilian laborers traversing hundreds of kilometers of high mountain roads and deep passes. Long shared, “Cargo bikes were indispensable in wartime logistics, as they could transport rice, ammunition, and wounded soldiers, carrying up to 4 wounded at a time. Despite facing continuous enemy bombings, these bikes played a crucial role in supplying our troops with much-needed provisions.”

The legendary cargo bike in the Dien Bien Phu

The Dien Bien Phu campaign achieved remarkable feats, with cargo bikes rightfully earning the title of “king of transportation,” forming the largest military bicycle corps in history. Seventy years since the victory at Dien Bien Phu, the story and imagery of these cargo bikes carrying thousands of tons of food for the campaign have become legendary worldwide—a testament to their crucial role in defeating colonial aggressors armed with sophisticated weaponry, marking a resounding victory that resonated globally.