The appeal of experiential tourism

As a land marked by glorious milestones in the nation's history, Dien Bien today is undergoing a strong transformation, becoming a destination for many domestic and international tourists. With a focus on developing adventure tourism and experiential exploration tourism, Dien Bien identifies this as a key direction, creating a unique identity and enhancing the value of local tourism.

Vivid experiences

Comrade Lo Van Cuong, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, along with the inspection team, surveyed the Dien Bien Phu Cable Car Complex and Public Cultural Area Project.

With its diverse topography, rich ecosystem featuring majestic mountains, primeval forests, rivers, streams, lakes, and a clean climate, Dien Bien has many advantages for developing ecotourism , adventure tourism, and exploration tourism. Alongside its scenic advantages, Dien Bien is also a land rich in the cultural identity of many ethnic minorities. Traditional festivals, customs, and ancient crafts are being revived and transformed into unique experiential tourism products. Through community-based tourism activities, visitors not only come to admire the scenery but also directly participate in, feel, and understand the local cultural life.

In Na Su community tourism village, Muong Cha commune, the local people have proactively created a tourism space close to nature, preserving traditional stilt house architecture and preparing dishes rich in the unique identity of the Thai ethnic group. In particular, experiential activities such as weaving, basketry, and stream fishing are regularly organized, creating a distinctive highlight for tourists.

Ms. Leng Thi Vui, a resident of Na Su village, shared: “When tourists want to experience the craft of brocade weaving, to personally use the shuttle, thread the yarn, and complete a woven product, they are very interested. Through this, they understand more about the culture, skill, and work ethic of Thai women.”

Not only Na Su, but many other tourist villages such as Phieng Loi, Che Can, Phin Ho, and highland markets are also being developed into attractive tourism products. Tourists can chat and interact with the local people, participate in daily activities, and thus clearly feel the rhythm of life, customs, and cultural beauty of each region.

Furthermore, each season in Dien Bien province brings its own unique colors, enriching the visitor experience. From the end of October, the vibrant yellow of wild sunflowers dispels the winter chill, covering the hillsides in a brilliant golden hue. By early January, cherry blossoms bloom profusely, painting the landscape around Pa Khoang Lake in Muong Phang commune pink. In spring, plum and apricot blossoms shyly bloom, blanketing the hillsides in white, embracing the peaceful stilt houses. From March, the bauhinia flower – a symbol of the Northwest mountains – bursts into bloom, covering the mountains and forests in white. And when the rice ripens, the golden terraced fields stretch out, the scent of freshly harvested rice carried on the wind, creating a majestic and poetic natural landscape.

Experiential tourism in Dien Bien is not limited to the villages but extends to journeys of discovery and exploration of nature and the unique culture of the ethnic minorities. With its pristine and captivating natural beauty, the area has great potential for tourism development, as it is home to many unique cultural heritages of the ethnic minorities. Participating in the traditional folk game of throwing the ball, Ms. Tran Thi Phuong Dung, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, said: “The experience of throwing the ball was incredibly interesting and novel. The locals explained the meaning of each detail, from the circle on the pole to the materials used to make the ball. Through this, I understood more about the beliefs and aspirations of the people for a bountiful harvest and a prosperous life.”

Developing experiential tourism

Expected to be a key project contributing to the development of the province's leading economic sector and building a brand for experiential tourism in Dien Bien, the Dien Bien Phu Cable Car Complex and Public Cultural Service Area Project is being actively implemented by the province.

In addition to this project, in the future, the urban, tourism and entertainment complex project at Pa Khoang Lake in Muong Phang commune; the Hua Pe hot spring resort complex project in Thanh Nua commune... when implemented, completed and put into use, will also become a positive "lever" to take off experiential tourism in Dien Bien.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Chuyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism: To attract and retain tourists, the industry will focus on advising on the development of tourism products based on existing strengths; combining the application of new technologies, investing in infrastructure, and improving service quality to create unique experiences linked to the cultural and historical depth and natural landscapes of the province. Along with that, the province will implement the Project on Preserving and Promoting the Value of the Dien Bien Phu Battlefield National Special Historical Site until 2030; encourage economic sectors to invest in the tourism sector, prioritizing high-end tourism projects in the Dien Bien Phu - Pa Khoang National Tourist Area according to the plan approved by the Prime Minister. At the same time, it will raise community awareness of the benefits of tourism development, mobilize support, and encourage people to directly participate in tourism activities. In addition, maintain and promote tourism development linkages among the Northwest provinces and other cooperative activities both domestically and internationally, expanding across four areas: policy and mechanism development, tourism product development, promotion and advertising, and tourism human resource training.

Tourists visit the De Castries bunker historical site.

It is estimated that by 2025, Dien Bien will welcome approximately 1.45 million tourists, generating a total tourism revenue of 2,645 billion VND, with an average stay of 3 days. These figures show that tourism is gradually becoming a sustainable direction, contributing to improving the lives of local people and affirming the Dien Bien tourism brand. During their journey to this historical land, tourists will live, experience, and understand. The harmonious blend of majestic nature, profound culture, and authentic experiences creates the allure of Dien Bien tourism.

According to Dien Bien Phu Newspaper

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/suc-hut-du-lich-trai-nghiem-a471934.html