Hanoi, Oct 5 (IANS): The Vietnamese legendary general Vo Nguyen Giap, the commander of Vietnamese army who masterminded military victories against the US and France, passed away Friday at the age of 102 in a hospital here.
The general died at the Army Central Hospital 108 in the national capital, where he was undergoing treatment since 2009, Xinhua reported citing a report by VNExpress online.
Born in August 25, 1911, General Giap led Vietnamese army and people in significant battles, including the Dien Bien Phu against France in 1954 and the Ho Chi Minh Campaign against the US in 1975.
International experts and researchers described General Giap as a sharp military commander in battles as well as a beloved person in daily life.
During the 1930s, Giap remained a school teacher and journalist. He joined the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1931. In 1939, General Giap fled to China together with Pham Van Dong, where he joined Ho Chi Minh, the late president of Vietnam.
After wars, General Giap remained Vietnam's defence minister and deputy prime minister and retired in 1991.