[1][2] Hoàng Cầm was born Đỗ Văn Cầm in Cao Sơn, Ứng Hòa district, Hà Tây province of the Tonkin Protectorate.

He joined Tirailleurs indochinois stationed at Lai Châu for a living at age of 21.

Two years later he was transferred to Hà Nội, but deserted thus escaping from Japanese coup d'état in French Indochina in March 1945.

Cầm joined the Youth Union of Hà Nội in July 1945, then joined National Salvation Army (Viet Minh) [vi] of Hà Nội after August Uprising and changed his name to Hoàng Cầm.

[3] In the First Indochina War, Hoàng Cầm led the 130th battalion of the 209th regiment in the Battle of Đông Khê, then the 209th regiment of the 312th Brigade in the Battle of Điện Biên Phủ.