Dien Bien Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism: Journey to affirm identity and aspiration to contribute

In the midst of the Northwest, when spring comes, Ban flowers bloom white in the mountains and forests of Dien Bien, fragrant in the wind, like a greeting from heaven and earth to visitors from all over. In the gentle sound of the panpipes and the bustling beat of the festival drums, we hear the echoes of the feats of arms, of many generations who shed their sweat and blood to build this land. Dien Bien culture is not only the beauty of the festival, of the xoè dance, but also the resilient spirit, an inseparable part of Vietnamese culture, the aspiration to rise up and the pride deeply engraved in every person here - a lasting resource, helping Dien Bien integrate and develop with the country.

General Secretary To Lam visits the Martyrs' Temple at Dien Bien Phu Battlefield

Dien Bien Provincial Department of Culture, formerly Lai Chau Provincial Department of Culture and Information, was established on August 22, 1963. Over the past 62 years, the Department has changed its model and name many times, from Provincial Department of Information, Department of Culture and Information, Department of Culture and Information to the current Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism - the Department has remained steadfast in its mission of preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic groups, serving the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

Period 1963 - 1975: Spirit in the long resistance war

In the early years of its establishment, the country was still divided, the North was both building socialism and supporting the South in the resistance war. When the US launched a war of destruction in the North (1964), the Lai Chau Department of Culture and Information shouldered the responsibility of organizing cultural, propaganda and agitation activities with a strong fighting spirit. From film screenings for soldiers on anti-aircraft artillery positions, vibrant mass cultural movements, to timely news about the fighting situation of the two regions, all contributed to arousing patriotism and strengthening the belief in victory. With tireless contributions, on January 12, 1971, the Lai Chau Provincial People's Art Troupe was awarded the Third Class Labor Medal - a testament to the great contribution of culture in the cause of defending the Fatherland.

Period 1975 - 2008: Proud mark

The resistance war against the US to save the country ended in complete victory with the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign on April 30, 1975. The country was reunited, the cultural sector continued to accompany the people in the reconstruction work. Thoroughly implementing the motto "Not to let a commune, a farm, a factory, a school, an armed forces unit, an agency... lack a minimum cultural life" , cultural institutions were consolidated, material facilities were improved, and the spiritual life of the people was increasingly improved. Major events such as the 10-year anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory and the inauguration of the Dien Bien Phu Victory Monument (2004) left a deep mark of pride. In 2004, when Lai Chau province was divided into two provinces, Dien Bien and Lai Chau, the Dien Bien Cultural sector officially took on a new name; On May 5, 2008, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dien Bien province was established, marking a new step of development with multi-sectoral and multi-field management functions.

Period from 2008 to present: Reaching out for integration and development

With the spirit of solidarity, the Department's Board of Directors and the entire industry quickly overcame difficulties, consolidated the organizational structure, proactively advised on the issuance of many important resolutions, projects, plans, and schemes, creating a foundation for synchronous development.

Cultural and artistic activities are organized in a rich variety, associated with political tasks and the enjoyment needs of the people. The Ban Flower Festival - held annually since 2014 - has become a typical cultural and tourism brand of the province. The mass art movement maintains its strong vitality with thousands of performances, serving millions of viewers. Professional art performances are increasingly of high quality, harmoniously combining tradition and modernity with many artists being awarded the title of Meritorious Artist.

Tourists visit and learn about Muong Phang Relic Site - Dien Bien Phu Campaign Command Headquarters, where the historical decisions of General Vo Nguyen Giap and the Command are recorded.

Library work, mobile cinema, Reading Culture Ambassador competitions, Book Festivals... have nurtured reading habits and spread knowledge. Heritage conservation work has been focused on: Currently, the province has 01 special national historical relic of Dien Bien Phu Battlefield associated with the Dien Bien Phu victory "famous in five continents, shaking the world"; 14 national relics; 22 national intangible cultural heritages, 2 intangible cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO as representatives of humanity ( Xoe Thai , Then Tay - Nung - Thai ), more than 40 outstanding artisans. Cultural diplomacy activities expand international cooperation, bringing the image of Dien Bien to the world through many events, festivals, exhibitions in Russia, Laos, Switzerland, China...

Along with culture, the fields of sports, tourism, press information, and publishing develop synchronously, creating resonance in promoting the image of the province. Culture is both the foundation and the driving force for other sectors, and is also enhanced thanks to the spread from these fields.

New Aspirations in the Age of Prosperity

After 62 years of construction and development, Dien Bien Culture has affirmed its position, making an important contribution to the 80-year journey of the Vietnamese Cultural sector. Entering a new period, the Dien Bien Culture, Sports and Tourism sector concretizes its aspirations for dedication with key orientations: innovating management thinking and operating methods; applying digital science and technology in preserving, promoting and developing heritage values; building a synchronous digital cultural database system; developing smart cultural and tourism products; improving the quality of human resources to meet the requirements of international integration. Persistently pursuing the goal of both preserving identity and being creative to adapt and realize the Resolutions of Party Congresses at all levels. From the traditional source, with the aspiration to rise, the Dien Bien Culture, Sports and Tourism sector is becoming a bright spot on the Vietnamese cultural map in the era of national development and prosperity./.

Source: https://svhttdl.dienbien.gov.vn/portal/pages/2025-08-28/Nganh-Van-hoa-The-thao-va-Du-lich-Dien-Bien-Hanh-t1.aspx