[1]: 126–7 In November 1953 the 312th was positioned near Phú Thọ to protect against any French action in the Red River region.

[1]: 257  On 24 December Giap ordered the 312th to move from Phú Thọ to Điện Biên Phủ and by mid January 1954 they were in position in the north-east of the valley.

[1]: 260 Regiments 141 and 209 of the 312th led the initial attack of the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, overrunning Strongpoint Beatrice in five hours on the night of 13 March 1954.

[1]: 581–2  For the final assault on 6 May, the 312th was tasked with attacking the remaining Eliane strongpoints guarding the bridges across the Nam Youm river.

[4] On 1 April the Division departed Ninh Bình Province and began moving south, then turned west along Route 9 into Laos and down the Ho Chi Minh Trail.