At the beginning of 1952, the resistance war against the French colonialists entered a new phase, as the Political Bureau and President Ho Chi Minh decided to open the Tay Bac Campaign with a determination to fight the enemy, liberate the Northwest, consolidate the Viet Bac base, maintain the Laos - Yunnan (China) traffic route, and facilitate the development of the Lao revolution.

Right from the early years of the 20th century, determining that Nghia Lo had an important strategic position in the Northwest mountainous region, the French colonialists strengthened their forces and accelerated the development of their henchman force on this land.

In October 1947, after completing the recapture of Nghia Lo (second time), the French colonialists immediately restored their ruling system, building Nghia Lo into the strongest military subdivision among their four at the eastern gateway of the Northwest region.

Nghia Lo subdivision included four sub-zones: Nghia Lo, Ba Khe, Gia Hoi, and Than Uyen. Nghia Lo sub-zone was the headquarters of this subdivision with a dense system of garrisons, airfields, and underground bunkers, manned by nearly 1,000 troops.

At a meeting with witnesses on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Nghia Lo (October 18, 1952 - October 18, 2012) organised by Nghia Lo town authorities, Major General Bui Nam Ha - former deputy head of Regiment 88 (Brigade 308) which directly attacked Nghia Lo subdivision - recounted: In the fall of 1952, Nghia Lo army and people coordinated with the regular force to attack French colonial strongholds with the spirit of "the first battle must be won". Overcoming all difficulties and hardships along with the proper assessment of advantages and difficulties when attacking the enemy's subdivision in Nghia Lo, Brigade 308 carried out a lot of attacks from directions that took the enemy by surprise and won victory.

Within four days of attacking Nghia Lo subdivision, the enemy in Nam Muoi was defeated on October 15; the French troops in Thuong Bang La and Ba Khe retreated on October 16; and on October 17, the Vietnamese forces began their attack on Pu Chang fort, winning a victory and then destroying the enemy's stronghold at Nghia Lo street base, thus successfully completing the attack on Nghia Lo subdivision many days earlier than planned.

Contributing to the victory were the people of Nghia Lo and Van Chan who helped feed and conceal Vietnamese officers and soldiers.

Locals’ care and protection created a firm position, creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese soldiers to grasp the situation to serve the resistance war.

In today's peaceful life, the Party Committee, authorities and people of Nghia Lo have been contributing to the homeland with very specific and practical actions and deeds.