Traveling through the land of bauhinia flowers.

Visiting Dien Bien in March, you'll find the bauhinia flowers blooming brilliantly throughout the landscape. Come and see Dien Bien, where "mountains fill your eyes, flowers bloom in the mist," and you'll feel even more appreciative and proud of the nation's glorious history.

Opening Ceremony of the National Tourism Year - Dien Bien and the Hoa Ban Festival 2024. Photo: Mai Giap

On a journey back to the roots, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory, if fortunate, visitors will be immersed in the atmosphere of the Hoa Ban Festival – a festival deeply associated with the beautiful image of the land and people of the Northwest region. This year's festival is part of a series of special events, linked to the opening of the 2024 National Tourism Year - Dien Bien, making it even more vibrant and colorful. Perhaps the most outstanding feature is the artistic program reflecting the most typical characteristics of the culture of various regions; promoting the tourism development potential of the whole country with connections between regions and the cultural identity of the ethnic groups of Dien Bien - Northwest; and simultaneously sending a warm invitation to friends and tourists, both domestic and international, to "Come to the Land of Hoa Ban." Furthermore, this is also the first time Dien Bien province has organized a live performance show introducing legends, history, unique folk dances, and the folk culture of the Thai ethnic group. The live performance show not only offers unique displays but also provides a fascinating and insightful perspective on the history, culture, and land of Dien Bien and the Northwest region. Furthermore, attending the Hoa Ban Festival is an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Thai folk dances and Mong flute music – distinctive intangible cultural heritage of the Thai and Mong ethnic groups who have lived and passed down through generations in this land.

After immersing yourself in the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the Hoa Ban Festival, explore Dien Bien Phu City – the "heart" of Dien Bien. Visit Dien Bien Phu in March – the historic moment when our army launched its attack on the powerful French colonial stronghold 70 years ago – to feel the heroic atmosphere that fills the eyes and hearts of those who lived and fought on this land. Having overcome those difficult years, Dien Bien Phu now resembles a peaceful landscape of high mountains and white clouds, captivating visitors who seek to return. It is "a city in a valley of flowers... white Hoa Ban flowers bloom, waiting for someone along the road." Walking through each street corner, letting your soul wander with each delicate petal like a tiny speck of light, you'll be guided by that peaceful atmosphere towards the pristine white and warm pink hues of the flowers. Along the banks of the Nậm Rốm River, bathed in the early spring sunshine, each bauhinia tree stands as a "pillar of light," gathering together to breathe new life into this land once ablaze with the flames of war. Seventy years have passed since the historic clash that led to a glorious victory, and Điện Biên Phủ City is now vibrant with life. Bomb craters have replaced the streets; and the barbed wire from the trenches now stands as witnesses to a time of fire and bloodshed. The blood of our forefathers has seeped into every clod of earth, nurturing the crops on the Mường Thanh fields this spring...

Mentioning Dien Bien Phu evokes memories of a glorious historical past. This past remains present today, along with a system of incredibly valuable historical sites, many of which stand out, such as A1 Hill, Doc Lap Hill, Hong Cum stronghold, Him Lam, Muong Thanh Bridge, the command bunker of the Dien Bien Phu fortified complex (De Castries bunker), the Victory Monument, the Artillery Pulling Monument, the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Command Post... These have become popular destinations for tourists on their journey back to their roots. To date, Dien Bien province has 33 classified historical sites (1 special national monument; 14 national monuments; 18 provincial monuments). In particular, the Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum, with its largest panoramic painting completed by over 200 artists over nearly three years, covering a total area of ​​3,225 square meters and featuring more than 4,500 figures, is certainly a must-see destination for tourists. Furthermore, the community of 19 ethnic groups living together for generations has fostered a unique culture encompassing language, customs, and traditions. Thanks to this, Dien Bien province currently has 18 cultural heritage sites listed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as national intangible cultural heritage (including two sites inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: the Thai Xoe dance and the Then practice of the Tay, Nung, and Thai people in Vietnam).

Dien Bien, with its continuous mountain ranges, creates a majestic natural landscape and offers many interesting experiences. This includes a system of caves that possess both scientific (geological) value, aesthetic value, and historical and religious significance. Many of these caves have been classified as national historical sites, such as Pa Thom, Chua Ta, and Kho Chua La caves; and Tham Khen, Xa Nha, Muong Tinh, and Tham Khuong caves, which have long been popular tourist destinations. In particular, to enhance the tourist experience, the province focuses on developing river tourism, such as sightseeing on hydroelectric reservoirs, tours on the Da River, and hot spring resort tourism at famous destinations like U Va and Hua Pe. Furthermore, in recent years, Dien Bien province has also invested in many recreational activities and tourism services. To date, there are 15 tourist attractions such as Dao Vien Son, Tang Quai Park, Tang Quai Lau, Tang Quai Bin (Muong Ang district), Pha Din Pass, Pu Pha Din (Tuan Giao district), Rose Valley (Dien Bien district), Noong U Lake, Phu Long Peak (Dien Bien Dong district)... These attractions have provided tourists with many more interesting experiences, contributing to making Dien Bien an increasingly attractive destination.

The beauty of the bauhinia flowers captivates tourists. Photo: TH

With its glorious historical past, rich system of historical relics, unique cultural treasures, and beautiful natural landscapes, Dien Bien possesses abundant tourism resources to develop its key economic sector. To realize this goal, Dien Bien province has been focusing on investing in infrastructure development linked to tourism. In particular, in recent years, Dien Bien has attracted many large investors and corporations such as Vingroup, Sun Group, Hai Phat, Flamingo, etc., to survey, sign investment agreements, and implement the construction of urban areas, commercial centers, resorts, and hotels in the province. Specifically, in the period 2021-2023, the province mobilized over 5,000 billion VND from various economic sectors to invest in numerous commercial, tourism, service, hotel, and entertainment projects. A prime example is the Dien Bien Phu City Commercial Center and Housing Complex. New urban residential area north of Hoang Van Thai - Khe Chit road, Dien Bien Phu city; Muong Thanh market and commercial services; commercial, service, and entertainment area along the Nam Rom river; Muong Thanh Dien Bien Hotel...

Furthermore, to attract tourists, Dien Bien province is also promoting its land and people. It organizes famtrip tours to survey and develop new tourism products and services. Administrative reforms are being strengthened to create favorable conditions for tourism businesses to operate effectively. With great efforts and many appropriate and effective solutions, Dien Bien is increasingly becoming an attractive destination for tourists. In 2023 alone, Dien Bien province is estimated to have welcomed over 1 million tourists, a 23% increase compared to 2022; total revenue from tourism activities is estimated at over 1,750 billion VND, a 26.7% increase compared to 2022. The average length of stay for tourists is estimated at 2.6 days.

The year 2024 marks the 70th anniversary of the historic Dien Bien Phu victory, a major political event of special significance not only for the Party Committee, government, and people of Dien Bien province, but also for the entire country. Dien Bien province sees this as an opportunity to create a breakthrough, aiming to develop tourism into a key economic sector. This will create momentum for growth and economic restructuring, contributing to building Dien Bien into an attractive tourist destination in the northern mountainous region.

Tran Hang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/du-lich-qua-mien-hoa-ban-211436.htm